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 | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated May 28th, 2022 @ 9:59 am New Window | ||
Price | $599 (non-baro is $499) | $319 |
Product Announcement Date | June 5th, 2018 | APR 29, 2013 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | June 26th, 2018 | May 2013 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB & Bluetooth Smart | USB |
Waterproofing | Yes - 100m | Yes - 100m |
Battery Life (GPS) | Up to 120 Hours | 50 hours |
Recording Interval | Variable | Variable |
Alerts | Sound/Visual/Vibrate | Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | No | Yes |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | No | Music | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Can control phone music | No | |
Has music storage and playback | No | |
Streaming Services | No | Payments | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Contactless-NFC Payments | No | Connectivity | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | No |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | No |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | No | No |
Group tracking | No | |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | Cycling | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | No | No |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | |
Crash detection | No | Running | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | Yes (internal accelerometer) |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | No | No |
Running Power | With extra sensor | |
VO2Max Estimation | Yes | Yes |
Race Predictor | No | No |
Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | No | No |
Track Recognition Mode | No | Swimming | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | Yes | Yes |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | Yes | No |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Drill Mode | No | Yes |
Indoor auto-pause feature | No | No |
Change pool size | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 15m/y to 1,200m/y | 15m/y to 1,200m/y |
Ability to customize data fields | yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | No | No | Triathlon | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Designed for triathlon | Yes | Yes |
Multisport mode | Yes | Yes | Workouts | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Create/Follow custom workouts | No | No |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Barely |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | No | Functions | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Auto Start/Stop | No | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | No | No |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | No |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | No |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | No | No | Navigate | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No |
Back to start | Yes | Yes (added Aug 30, 2013) |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | No | Sensors | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric, GPS (FusedAlti) |
Compass Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | No | |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | No | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | No | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | No | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | Yes |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | |
ANT+ Remote Control | No | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | No |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | No |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | YEs | No |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | Yes | No |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | Yes | No |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | No | Software | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
PC Application | PC/Mac | Moveslink Agent |
Web Application | Suunto Movescount | Movescount |
Phone App | iOS /Android | Suunto Movescount |
Ability to Export Settings | No | Yes (online) | Purchase | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Amazon | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | |
Competitive Cyclist | Link | DCRainmaker | Suunto 9 Baro | Suunto Ambit2 |
Review Link | Link | Link |