Suunto Race 2 Review: The Brand’s Most Impressive Sports Watch Yet
▼ Summary
– The Suunto Race 2 is an upgraded sports watch with a larger AMOLED display, thinner case, and faster processor compared to its predecessor.
– It costs $100 more than the original Suunto Race but remains cheaper than its main rival, the Garmin Forerunner 970.
– The watch offers accurate GPS tracking, offline maps, and long battery life of up to 18 days with 55 hours of GPS use.
– Heart rate accuracy has shown some inconsistencies in early testing, occasionally reading higher than a chest strap monitor.
– While the design and display are improved, the price increase may make the original Suunto Race a better value for some buyers.
The Suunto Race 2 builds upon the solid foundation of its predecessor, delivering meaningful upgrades in display quality, processing speed, and overall design. While it commands a higher price than the original model, it remains a compelling option for athletes seeking a feature-rich sports watch without the premium cost of rivals like the Garmin Forerunner 970.
Available in both steel and titanium versions, the Race 2 features a larger, brighter AMOLED display that measures 1.5 inches and reaches up to 2000 nits of brightness. This makes it exceptionally readable even in direct sunlight. The case is also thinner and lighter than before, enhancing comfort during long training sessions.
Under the hood, a new processor ensures a smoother and more responsive user experience, addressing past criticisms of lag in Suunto devices. Battery life remains impressive, offering up to 18 days in smartwatch mode and 55 hours of continuous GPS tracking in its most accurate setting.
Navigation is a strong suit, with support for free offline maps and turn-by-turn directions. Users can plan routes via the Suunto app and sync them directly to the watch. The inclusion of dual-band GPS ensures reliable location tracking, while built-in sensors monitor heart rate, altitude, and blood oxygen levels.
During testing, GPS accuracy proved excellent, closely matching high-end Garmin models. However, optical heart rate readings showed some inconsistency compared to a chest strap, occasionally overestimating values during runs. This is an area where further refinement would be welcome.
Smart features are functional but minimal. The watch mirrors smartphone notifications and allows music playback control, but lacks onboard music storage, a surprising omission given that cheaper Suunto models include this capability.
Despite its higher price, the Suunto Race 2 represents strong value within the competitive sports watch market. It combines a premium build, crisp display, and robust tracking features into a package that undercuts many rivals. For budget-conscious buyers, the original Suunto Race may still offer better value, but those seeking the latest refinements will find the Race 2 a worthy upgrade.
(Source: tomsguide)
