Suunto Observer SR Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass

From the reviews, it appears that many users are confused by the clasp, claiming it doesn't allow enough clearance to get the watch on and off. This confused me also, and Suunto should come out with a new edition of the instruction manual that makes it clearer that the band has two clasps and when both of them are open, there is plenty of clearance getting the watch on and off.

Don't believe any reviewer that says the altimeter in this watch isn't accurate. If it isn't accurate, return it, because it means the watch is defective. A working Observer will be as accurate as the most expensive Thommen precision analog altimeter. I know, because I've owned the same, reliable Thommen (showing 20-foot intervals) for 29 years and have A-B'd the Observer with my Thommen on several hikes and have obtained as similar results as can be expected, given the intrinsic nature of altimeters based on the measurement of air pressure.

Although the manual can be criticized for its organization and sketchy documentation of its sometimes bewildering variety of features, it does give a fairly clear explanation of why altimeters in general can be as much as several hundred feet off over an elevation gain of several thousand feet, in spite of the fact that the sea level barometric pressure remains constant. Section 3.6 of the manual explains the effect of air temperature on altitude measurement. As the temperature rises, the air gets lighter, i.e. the barometric pressure falls. This is an intrinsic problem associated with any altimeter that works off of barometric pressure, including the world-renowned Thommen altimeters. Thus every altimeter must be calibrated to a set of certain "standard" temperatures. As long as the outside temperature tracks this standard and the sea level barometric pressure doesn't change, the altimeter will give an accurate reading. But the reading could be hundreds of feet off after a long hike in extreme temperatures.

The Observer instruction manual presents a table defining Suunto's standard. You can use this table to calculate the actual altitude, given the starting altitude, starting temperature, temperature at the destination, and the watch's altimeter reading. At first I found the calculation hard to understand, and Suunto's table presents lower and lower resolution as you increase in altitude, ostensibly (but not really) making the table less and less useful as the altitude increases. Eventually however, I "cracked the code" and wrote a program for the PC that calculates the correct offsets and even creates tables for all the variables. If interested, contact me via email for a free copy of the program.

Here are some examples. If you climb in temperatures that are much hotter than the temperature compensation standard built into the Observer, you will find that the readings from the watch will be several hundred feet lower than your actual altitude. For example, if the starting elevation is 100 feet and the starting temperature is 90 degrees F. and you climb until the Observer altitude reading is 4,000 feet and the temperature is still 90 degrees, your actual altitude will be 4,329 feet. On the other hand, if you climb in temperatures that are much colder than the temperature compensation standard built into the Observer, you will find that the readings from the watch will be several hundred feet higher than your actual altitude. For example, if the starting elevation is 100 feet and the starting temperature is 0 degrees F. and you climb until the Observer altitude reading is 4,000 feet and the temperature is still 0 degrees, your actual altitude will only be 3,685 feet. Finally, if you climb in temperatures close to the compensation standard built into the Observer, you will find that the watch display will be very close to the actual altitude. For example, if the starting elevation is 100 feet and the starting temperature is 58 degrees F and you climb until the Observer altitude reading is 4,000 feet and the temperature has fallen to 45 degrees, your actual altitude will be 3,998 feet. The reading is very close to the actual altitude because the temperatures at the start and end of the climb are very close to the built-in standard, which you can check out by looking at the table in sec. 3.6. (By the way, the manual has a math error in the example it gives for "Imperial" measurements. The difference between 47.3 degrees F and 36.3 degrees F is 11 degrees, not 9 as stated in the manual. Thus the actual altitude should be 9,724 feet, not 9,740 as stated in the manual.)


Stunning piece of electronic wristop hardware...   December 2, 2003
Jeff Edwards (Twin Falls, Idaho)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

All I can say is, out of the box, "WOW!" I first saw this watch on a friend who walked by and as it caught my eye, it was obvious that this watch was something quite different. Of course, according to Suunto, it isn't a watch after all. First and foremost, this is a wristop computer, that happens to have the feature of being able to tell time.

I was a bit intimidated by everything this watch can do, but thank heavens after my initial shock at how GOOD it looks, I got down to studying the manual -- and if you ever hope to get ANY practical use out of this device, you are going to HAVE to read it, maybe several times, in order to fully appreciate what it CAN do. Is it absolutely perfect in every way? Nope -- but can you find me a product that IS for the same amount of money that also looks this good? Hardly. The closest would probably be the Triple Sensor Casio Pathfinder -- which DOES come with one really nifty ability that Suunto has yet to incorporate into their wristop computers: solar power. Casio watches are also much cheaper, but if you are going for good quality PLUS good looks, you will do no better than Suunto's Observer. This watch is simply beautiful.

Taking a look at what it can do, it has a Barometer (which also gives you the current temperature -- but keep in mind for best reading, you need to take it off your wrist for about 15 minutes first), an altimeter which under proper circumstances is quite accurate. For those who say it doesn't work at all, keep in mind that it takes readings using the barometric pressure, and if you at first do not calibrate it, you simply will not get a correct reading. Also, keep in mind that as the air pressure can sometimes vary depending upon where you are and the weather conditions you are experiencing, the altimeter CAN vary -- even if you aren't moving at all. This isn't a defect with the watch, if you need to blame someone, have a chat with Mother Nature, because Suunto has no influence in that department. It also has the cool feature of incorporating a digtal compass, which works (when again properly calibrated) from virtually any position on the globe. This feature alone makes the buy worth it.

There have been a few reviewers who are displeased with the Observer's ability to generate an alarm that you can actually HEAR -- and this is one area which Suunto can really improve upon. It is so quiet to be almost non-existent under even fairly quiet conditions. It sounded to me a little like a Palm Pilot alarm going off underneath a pillow -- that was located in a room down the hall. YES, it IS a joke -- but I have other watches that can fill the alarm void, so I only considered this a MINOR problem. If you are interested in purchasing this particular Suunto model and you absolutely NEED a loud alarm, you might be better served with the Casio Pathfinder -- but if you are more concerned with the other incredible feats of electronic gadgetry that the Observer can do, this is DEFINITELY the model for you.

One other tiny note, the extra $$ for the Titanium model just isn't worth it. Because the wrist band is only PARTIALLY metal mixed with elastomer, the weight difference between the Titanium and the Steel version was almost non-existent. The Steel version is virtually identical and (I personally think) looks better than just the elastomer band -- but I realize this is a personal preference, so make sure you are able to compare the models side-by-side before making that purchase -- also keep in mind the elastomer version will be really snug for some guys who have rather large wrists.

All in all, the Observer really IS a stunning piece of electronic hardware that rivals many watches worn by James Bond. Now if only Suunto could fit a tiny laser inside the NEXT version they'd really have a best-seller...


Great Watch!   July 12, 2006
Z-man (colorado)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I have had this watch for 6 months now and during the height of the climbing season I can say I love it. It does everything it it claims plus looks great. I had a Avocet wrist altimeter for 10 years before this and the Suunto is much better and more accurate. Yes it does take some study and getting used to but if you make the effort it will reward you. So why do I like it?
1) It looks great, small enough to not grab attention (like the funny looking bigger watches) but classy. Have not found scratching to be a problem even with rock climbing if you are careful. 2) The controls make sense. After having the Avocet this has multiple screens that if you use them for a time you don't even have to pause to find what you are looking for. 3) Very accurate. I climb much during the year and it is as close as a altimeter will get to accurate. I compare the readings with my friends GPS and we are always within 50 feet or less. 4) Being a mountaineer, I love the lightness of it compared with the steel model.

I highly reccomend this watch!


Takes a lickin and i ain't bullsittin'   December 21, 2005
Michael Diamond As If (The Keys)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

outdoor oriented lad, grew tired of purchasing thirty dollar timex watch only to fall apart in three months. purchased this watch upon its inception around year 2001 or so. great watch, puts up with my inability to tender gently while being worn. my only piece of advice-spend the extra bucks and purchase the stainless/titanium band. the elastomer band does not last and is nothing more than a futile effort to stay affixed to wrist. great customer service, excellent & accurate features, and rarely do i endorse items but this one warrants lavish praise.


A Great Watch For The Outdoor Person.   May 25, 2002
gary (Long Island, NY)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Great conversational piece. The Titatium housing gives it a cool look on the black face. As for the performance, I have found the Barometer & Compass to be extremely accurate. The temperature is very accurate, but you have to take it off your wrist for true reading. I also love the chronometer stopwatch for jogging, timing each mile. I have not gone skiing yet so I really did not use the altimeter or try to figure it out yet. The only negative I found is the alarm is not that loud and for the price I think the band could be all titatium instead of titatium & elastomer strap together. I never leave home without it.