How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated October 7th, 2021 @ 7:54 am New Window | |||
Price | $150.00 | $319 | $219 |
Product Announcement Date | Jun 25, 2012 | APR 29, 2013 | APR 29, 2013 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Jul 5, 2012 | May 2013 | May 2013 |
GPS Recording Functionality | No | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | ANT Agent | USB | USB |
Waterproofing | Yes | Yes - 100m | Yes - 50m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 1 Year | 50 hours | 25 hours |
Recording Interval | 1-Second | Variable | Variable |
Alerts | No | Sound/Visual | Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | OK | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | No | Yes | Yes |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | No | No | No | Connectivity | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | No | No | No |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | No | No | No |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | No | No | No |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Designed for cycling | No | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | N/A | No | No |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | N/A | Yes | Yes | Running | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Designed for running | No | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | N/A | Yes (internal accelerometer) | Yes (internal accelerometer) |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | N/A | No | No |
VO2Max Estimation | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Race Predictor | N/A | No | No |
Recovery Advisor | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | N/A | No | No | Swimming | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | No | Yes | Yes |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | No | No | No |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | No | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor auto-pause feature | No | No | No |
Change pool size | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 18y/17m to 150y/m | 15m/y to 1,200m/y | 15m/y to 1,200m/y |
Ability to customize data fields | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | Yes | No | No | Triathlon | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Designed for triathlon | No | Yes | Yes |
Multisport mode | N/A | Yes | Yes | Workouts | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Create/Follow custom workouts | No | No | No |
On-unit interval Feature | No | Barely | Barely |
Training Calendar Functionality | No | No | No | Functions | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Auto Start/Stop | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | No | No | No |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | No | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | No | No | No | Navigate | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | N/A | No | No |
Back to start | N/A | Yes (added Aug 30, 2013) | Yes (added Aug 30, 2013) |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | N/A | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | N/A | No | No | Sensors | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Altimeter Type | N/A | Barometric, GPS (FusedAlti) | GPS |
Compass Type | N/A | Magnetic | Magnetic |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | No | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | No | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | N/A | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | N/A | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | N/A | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Remote Control | No | No | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | No |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | No | |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | No | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | No | Yes | No |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | No | No | Software | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
PC Application | GTC | Moveslink Agent | Moveslink Agent |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Movescount | Movescount |
Phone App | Garmin Fit | Suunto Movescount | Movescount |
Ability to Export Settings | No | Yes (online) | Yes (online) | Purchase | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Swim | Suunto Ambit2 | Suunto Ambit2 S |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link |