With a range of up to 29,500 ft, the altimeter works within all fourteen of the over-8000 meter summits in the world. Altitude difference measurement can follow vertical progress between stages, an automatic 24-hour memory stores the altitude and ascent/descent rate for every hour, and the watch also features an adjustable altitude alarm, among other memory functions. The logbook lets you record both total and cumulative vertical ascents and descents, and the number of runs you've skied while on the slopes. Total displays include altitude, vertical speed, altitude alarm, logbook, vertical difference measurement, automatic 24 hour altitude memory, temperature compensation. Its logbook capacity is 8 kB, recording intervals of 20 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, and 60 minutes, with respective times 16.5 hours, 50 hours, 20 days, and 125 days.

Current barometric pressure and temperature is also displayed to help forecast weather changes. The Vector automatically records barometric data for the past four days: the first six hours in one-hour intervals, then in six-hour intervals after that. It can also show the present sea level pressure, for greater understanding of barometric pressure at high altitudes. Total displays include sea level pressure, absolute pressure, pressure difference, pressure trend indicator, 4-day barometric memory, and temperature.

The Vector's electronic compass uses cardinal or half-cardinal points, and the North-South arrow. It can also be set to track a specific bearing, to keep you on direction in more remote terrain. There's also a declination adjustment that lets the user correct the difference between true North and magnetic North.

When used simply as a watch, the Suunto Vector also displays the time in 12 or 24-hour format, with three daily alarms, a calendar pre-programmed through the year 2089, and a stopwatch with split time measurement and a countdown timer. The watch features an electro-luminescent backlight, and a user-replaceable battery.

Product Description
Since it's introduction in 1998, the Suunto Vector wristop computer has acted as the altimeter, barometer, electronic compass, and digital logbook for everyone from mountaineers to the Marines. The Vector keeps track of almost everything for you. It is the very tiny instrument panel that could be the key to backcountry survival. This year's Vector adds degree numbers and cardinal half points to the compass bezel, allowing users to make more accurate readings in the field. The Vector's altimeter enables users to track ascent and descent rates, as well as the number of runs skied in a day. This information can be very helpful when determining if you can bag one more descent at the end of a long tour. The watch's barometer allows you to track weather changes and automatically records atmospheric pressure over 4 days in 6hr intervals. Being able to track incoming storms is key when deciding how to prepare for a day of skiing or climbing.

Product Features

• Material: ABS Plastic
• Band Type: Elastomer
• Altimeter: Yes
• Barometer: Yes
• Compass: Yes
• Stopwatch: Yes
• Chronograph:
• Thermometer: Yes
• Heart Rate Monitor: No
• PC Compatible: No
• Waterproof: Water resistant to 30m/ 100ft
• Backlight/ Electroluminescent: Yes
• Alarms: 3 daily alarms
• Size: 2 x 2 x .67in/ 52 x 52 x 17mm
• Recommended Use: Mountaineering/General Purpose
• Weight: 1.9oz
• Warranty: 2 year

My recommendation - If you're looking for an altimeter and/or thermometer, keep looking...


outstanding outdoor tool   February 6, 2007
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I got my first Vector about three years ago, from REI. Yes, it is large. Not a problem for me as I am large.
I am on my third Vector; the first two, for some strange reason, leaked water, the first during an incredible monsoon rainstorm in the mountains of Arizona, the second while taking a shower. No, I did not submerse the watch, nor push any buttons while the water was 'on'. Fortunately, REI accepts returns with no questions. It is a testament to how nice this watch is that I continued to replace the watch. Perhaps I had models from a bad production run, as my present Vector has lasted for over two years with nary a leak.
The good: I have found the digital compass to be very accurate and useful. Remember that it must be calibrated from time to time, and don't forget about declination.
The barometer is VERY useful. The barometer function is constantly operating, and accounts for a nice little symbol in the upper left of the display showing pressure trends over the past few hours. This is very useful if you understand barometric pressure trends and their likely results. If you do not, look it up and learn, as you will find it to be very useful if you spend a lot of time in the brush. Remember that the barometric pressure must be calibrated against absolute sea-level readings from time to time, especially during rapidly changing weather conditions. Once you understand the relationship between altitude/changing weather, you will master the complexities of both the barometer and the altimeter, and understand just how simple they are, and how reliable this device really is. I have checked it against my high-end GPS and other barometers many times, and it is very accurate indeed.
The temp is useful if you need to know the temperature; like all such devices, it will have to be taken off of your body for about ten minutes before you will get an accurate reading.
The bad: the lens is plastic. If you have any experience with fine coated-glass, you will do fine with this: DO NOT, EVER, wipe any dust or dirt off of the face. Use a lens-pen, with a fine blower-brush. Or wait until you've stepped under water with it. Put simply, it has been my experience that if you keep your grubby paws off of it, and don't try to 'clean' it with your cotton t-shirt/flannel shirt/etc, and instead use methods used for fine coated glass elements, it will look like new forever. Mine does, and it has been in desert dust and swamp mud.
The battery does, in fact, eventually lose energy! In normal use, you can expect a year or more from the battery. If you are one of those fellas that shows everyone that he meets his "neat digital compass", or actually rely on this as your primary compass in the brush, it won't last nearly so long. The digital compass is the primary energy-sucker, likely as much as the backlight. Use the compass only when needed (you should have a base-plate compass anyway...Suunto also makes some of the best of these as well).
As for the review stating the watchbands give out, I find that remarkable as I have never had a problem with mine, and I wear it constantly, day in and day out.
All in all, and in spite of the fact that I had to return my first two, I heartily recommend the Vector. Tough and useful.


suunto vector   January 20, 2004
 14 out of 26 found this review helpful

IF YOU ARE AN OUTDOOR PERSON THE VECTOR IS THE ITEMTO HAVE==THE ALTIMETER ANDBAROMETER WORK IN CONJUCTION=WHICH MIGHT INITIALLY CAUSECONFUSION==BUT BY SETTING THESEA LEVEL PRESSURE=THE SETTINGSWILL EQUAL OUT=THE COMPASS ISSPOT ON AND WHEN SET WITH DECLINATION ==WILL GET YOU WHEREYOU WANT TO BE==OVERALL THE VECTOR IS WORTH THE INVESTMENTIF YOU LOVE TO-HIKE-CAMP-CLIMB-OR ANY OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITYWHICH REQUIRES TO YOU TO HAVEA HEADSUP REGARDING WEATHERAND YOUR SAFETY IN THE FIELD=ONE NOTE ==YOUR LOCAL AIRPORTCONTROL TOWER-CAN GIVE YOU=ELEVATION==SEA LEVEL PRESSURE=DELINATION=WHICH MAKES SETUPEASIER=ALSO A FIRST CLASSPHONE HELP LINE=THE PEOPLETHERE ARE TOP NOTCH AND WILL TAKE TIME TO HELP YOUSET THE VECTOR UP PROPERLY=