Suunto's got a brand new GPS sports watch and another big name you need to remember; say hello to the Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro.
As far as what's new, the clue is in the name. This is all about improving its outdoor tracking credentials, so Suunto is introducing its FusedAlti technology that combines GPS and barometric data to improve the accuracy of altitude data. In addition to that, you will also be able to see sunrise/sunset times on the watch display and receive storm alarms when there's a sudden drop in air pressure.
Wareable verdict: Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR review
Like the rest of the Spartan range, it'll feature a circular watch design and will be available in three three colours with a steel bezel, touchscreen display and 100m water resistance all in tow. There's GPS/GLONASS and an optical heart rate sensor on board and it'll double as fitness tracker offering data on steps, calories burned and resting heart rate.
On the software front, it'll track 80 sports with running, cycling and swimming the core modes. Training insights will also be included to make sure you properly recover before that next workout session.
There's improvements with route navigation letting you know an estimated time of arrival and will indicate the remaining distance to your destination. POI navigation now sounds the alarm when you are getting closer too. For skiers, it'll offer more dedicated tracking data including run lengths, verticals and maximum speed during descent and a run counter.
In terms of battery life, the Wrist HR Baro will manage up to 20 hours using its optimal GPS mode or a mammoth 40 hours when you adjust the GPS quality, which will of course see a drop in accuracy.
The Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro is going to cost €549 (around ) and is available to pre-order from Suunto's website with shipping expected on the 17 October.
Along with the new watch there is also a big software update for current Spartan watch owners to look forward to. This will introduce sleep tracking to the range for the first time as well as bring the route navigation improvements, ski features and sunrise/sunset times included on the Wrist HR Baro. Suunto also says it has managed to ramp up the battery life performances of all its Spartan watches and you can find out by how much here.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.