SUUNTO X-Lander Military

Comments about SUUNTO X-Lander Watch:

I bought this version of Suunto's vaunted 'wrist computers' after going through five (5!) X6 models in four years. The first X6 had faulty circuit boards that shorted out the entire watch when you installed a replacement battery. Then their compass and altitude functions had a nasty habit of quietly resetting to default settings. Imagine one's surprise if you 15 degree west declination compass just started reading at 0 degress declination. Think that might present navigational problems in fog? OK, so Suunto ironed all these out at the design level. The X6 set up is worth it...simple, easy to navigate functions in the field, big number displays and the right combination of useable features (clinometer and dual time functions are nice). But the X6 isn't waterproof. In fact don't even take yours out in the rain. If any drops of water are near the watches buttons when you press them in, they will literally suck the water into the watch, fog the crystal, and if you kayak on salt water, well, so long circuit board. The new 'Military Model' X-Lander incorporates 'diver function design' buttons...so they can even be pressed while submerged. But, the X Lander has no clinometer function, it's control functions are confusing, complicated when they need not be, and extremely counter-intuitive.And another way obvious flaw: no dual time. OK, riddle me this...adding a dual time function on the watch takes up zero programming space on its chip...it's like a feature on the cheapest outdoor & travel watches. Hell the X-Lander has THREE alarms...what makes dual time the straw that breaks the feature-design team's back? Who knows. To sell this as a Military Model watch, with intent for it to be worn by boots in the field....wanna bet that those troops would appreciate dual or triple time zone features as much or more than three separate alarms? Go figure.[$] watch w/o dual time....Hey, Sunnto, here's an idea: PUT THE DIVER STYLE BUTTONS ON THE X-6 and I'll buy one. Seriously.

Comments about SUUNTO X-Lander Watch:

Still getting used to it. It is definately built to last.

Comments about SUUNTO X-Lander Watch:

I purchased this watch as an everyday replacement for my Casio Pathfinder PAW 1500-7V Titanium watch that would get destroyed if I wore it to work. I love the vast quantity of features on the Casio (most notably the solar power, atomic timekeeping, and love the graphical readout for pressure and elevation). But I've never been fully happy with the accuracy of the altimeter and barometer, and assumed it was just a limitation of a pressure based altimeter. I was both correct, and incorrect. It IS limitation of a pressure driven altimeter, but it is possible to be more accurate, and the X-lander proves it. This watch is easier to set, and has a great sea-level pressure calibration if you can't set a reference altitude. If you have a phone, and can get reception to find the current sea-level pressure closest to you, you can enter it into the watch and the altimeter is instantly calibrated to within 10-20 feet. A great feature (My pathfinder cannot do this, so you have to set a reference altitude assuming you can find one). Even with just the defaults set, its not usually off by more than 70-150'. Which is pretty good considering its using pressure (which is always changing) to determine elevation.

The build quality is great, its one of the best looking watches I own. Very comfortable to wear. It is a thick watch, but I acclimated to it quickly. I wish it was solar powered, and I didn't have to worry about changing batteries. I wish it was more waterproof. The pathfinder is waterproof to 200m, and this one just 30m. Which is fine, as I don't dive. But I feel more comfortable in the shower or swimming or at work (fish biologist) knowing its more waterproof. I do feel the Suunto 30m, is a very safe 30m though, and the Casio 200m, may be an exaggeration.

Highly recommend this watch if you can afford it. It doesn't have a ton of features, but the features it does have work well.

Comments about SUUNTO X-Lander Watch:

I use every feature of Suunto's X-Lander! It is tough, durable, accurate and versatile. It has literally saved my life twice and it simplifies mission planning and execution every day.

Comments about SUUNTO X-Lander Watch:

Great Altimeter-Barometer-Compass watch loaded with features for advanced recreational adventuring or as a personal backup landnav instrument for military ground pounders. The sensors on this watch may be a tad too sensitive as it picks your body temperature often skews the barometer/pressure readings, but the compass function is spot on accurate. As with many of these types of watches, there are perhaps TOO many features and selling points which can complicate the ease of use. Also though this is a very large watch, it is surprisingly light and comfortable to wear.

Comments about SUUNTO X-Lander Watch:

I use the xlander for hunting and fishing primarily but its great in the city as well-the barometer acts as a one glance short term weather forcast...the style is also very fashionable theses days

Comments about SUUNTO X-Lander Watch:

This watch seems to do everything as advertised but with one major problem that in my opinion renders the watch unsafe and unusable. The display contrast is so low that it is almost impossible to read unless you hold it under a light. Even in bright daylight, it takes a while to get information (other than that in the main field). The backlight does not provide enough illumination to help much except in pitch dark, and in dim light (dawn and dusk) the watch is fundamentally unreadable. I can only imagine trying to find a way back to a campsite as the sun sets and not being able to access the information.

That said, it is a very handsome timepiece- light and quite stylish!

Comments about SUUNTO X-Lander Watch:

Really cool device