Suunto Vertical 2chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Long-time adventure watch users are disappointed Suunto dropped the always-on MIP display and solar charging, arguing it hurts sunlight readability, energy efficiency, and long-term display durability.

@QuaesitorVaritas

I know some people don't like MIP displays, but if you want to keep your device a long time, they are exponentially more durable and designed for longevity. Amoled has organic elements that simply wear/burn out, with blue burning out first. MIP displays don't have anything to burn out. MIP displays are more energy efficient because they don't require energy to keep a pixel on. An MIP display uses energy to change a pixel, and then no more energy is required until the pixel needs to be changed again. MIP displays are more expensive to make, adding about $50-$100 to cost. Personally, I much prefer the MIP display, even though it's not as vibrant because it is always on and I like to keep my devices for a long time. The energy efficiency is also going to reduce the battery cycles, further increasing longevity.launch

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March 20, 2026

@dreamer_510

Strange movement making the Vertical 2 and the Race 2 almost the same watch. And a pity Suunto abandoned MIP for all of the people that do lot of mountainering and do like a real AOD white screen and to not depend on wrist gesture.launch

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October 9, 2025

@MrMichaelfalk

I dont think the batterylife on gps is such a big deal anymore for most - if it can hold battery for 5 or 10 days on gps isnt that big of a deal for most people. The batterylife in everyday use is - and that is completely missing from this review... But we know it will be very poor compared to the old vertical.. And yes - mip display is much better in daylight - AMOLED may be good enough but not in any way as good.. But this watch does make Garmins look old and outdated.. One thing i do miss is if a reviewer would make these walk through like ray does on garmin watches on suunto and polar..launch

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October 1, 2025

@MiniForklift

Was kinda looking forward to this release as I've had my Titanium Solar Vertical for a couple of years, but TBH there's nothing that is really pulling me in for this one. Correct me if I'm wrong but the battery on the original Vertical Solar model is better with 85hrs Vs 65hrs and there's currently no solar option for the V2? The display on the original one is just fine and personally I actually prefer it to Amoled. Think I'll just hold out for the next model that supersedes the Vertical linelaunch

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September 30, 2025

Users describe buggy UI, misaligned launch-unit screens, structured workout/interval handling issues, and frustration that Suunto is slow to fix app and firmware problems.

@stephencarr9342

I got this watch two weeks ago, it’s generally very good. My issue is the Suunto software - the watch obviously connects to external heart rate monitors via Bluetooth - but if you want to use a dual HRM ( for example using Zwift on a treadmill and also to record activity with the watch) you can’t do it even though the tech is in place. Exasperated after trying with a wahoo trackr and a garmin dual hrm I contacted Suunto who said dual Bluetooth receiver is not supported- if you try to connect a second HRM channel the watch defaults to the wrist optical sensor even if that is turned off- period. \nThis is a real shame, because it does work with my Apple Watch 10 and presumably other brand watches, but I wanted my data in Suunto. The optical isn’t terrible, but it’s nowhere near the standard of a chest strap.\nOh.. and when doing an activity you can’t go back to the menu or Home Screen unless someone can advise otherwise?launch

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February 19, 2026

@wensg4772

Tried the Suunto Vertical 2 on launch but switching from my F7P to this one, it was just not what I expected. The UI is not as smooth as the Garmin UI is. Buggy at sometimes and the launch devices had issues with the AMOLED screen not being aligned (including my piece). \n\nEventually I sold my F7P and I’ve been using the E3 since 2 weeks. Really happy with the watch, especially with this one being still supported. \n\nThat being said; that Garmin abandoned the F7P lineups was so not right and I would’ve hoped YouTubers like you would’ve given it more attention. Disregarding a watch that came at a 1000$ price tag after only 2 years is a big finger to those who paid the price for only 2 years of support.launch

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January 11, 2026

@DesertTriDad

Dave I had the Vertical 1 and race 2, and I loved the vertical 1 but it needed an update so I tried the race 2. I had the same early run HR issues. I also had numerous software bugs and major ones were HRMs and zonesense. Finally the biggest deal breaker was how horrible it was at handling intervals. Just open trail runs were great but any structured workout was light years behind Garmin or COROS. I also found the battery wasn’t as good as advertised but that could have been early software. Overall it’s an amazing piece of hardware but leaves a lot to be desired on the UI front. The app (awesome) and watch UI is pretty but it’s janky. Currently trying the nomad and it’s been awesome at $350launch

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October 9, 2025

@pepe-based

Hi Ray, could you please make a follow-up video in the future? Suunto has been terrible with software updates and app problems . There are solo app developers out there that provide bug fixes, optimizations, and features in a timely manner but Suunto just seems downright incompetent/unwilling/unable to do so. Thank you for your time and consideration .launch

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September 30, 2025

Multiple commenters report that trails disappear from the map when zoomed out beyond 500ft, a significant limitation for an adventure-focused watch that reviewers rarely mention.

@silent-voyager

Who would the first online reviewer to point out to the map limitation where trails disappear from the map beyond the 500ft zoom level? So far none of the reviewers have ever mentioned that. In the original Race and Vertical it used to be 0.5mi zoom level - the last zoom level where maps were still visible. But shortly before the Race 2 release, Suunto has changed it and scaled trail visibility by two zoom levels down for US users and by one zoom level down for users who use metric units. And as we can clearly see in you video, even at the 500ft zoom level, trails are kind of hard to see especially with all the contour lines because trails are rendered with thin dotted lines and the color contrast isn't great.\n\n@DesFit, what is your opinion about this? Do you think the maximum trail visibility at the 500ft level where that covers only 1-2 mins of walking or running is sufficient enough?launch

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January 12, 2026

@silent-voyager

The biggest question mark is maps. Considering that this is an adventure watch, it should offer better map details, especially the ability to see trails, but try to zoom out a few times and trails disappear at a zoom level beyond 500 ft. Trails disappear even before outlines of buildings do. 500 ft from the center of the map to the edge is the furthest you can see trails around you without having to smudge your screen with sweaty fingers. I wonder why none of the reviewers have ever mentioned that?launch

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November 29, 2025

@Gunoke-fd6bc

Completely missed the mark and don’t care to compare with Race 2. My daily adventure includes, steps, heart rate, screen readability, capturing meditations and sometimes daily walks, hunting, fishing and hikes. The annoyance of Race 1 and vert 1, is crap battery charger, which never should have passed any testing before production. From a map/software side the vert 2 shows no benefit from my Race 1, nor does he race 2. I think personally I will buy a vert 1, as screen readability and not watching my watch die by 7-10 percent per day for daily simple functions is vastly more important than is flips though menus .0001 micro seconds faster. What is funny is why don’t you show notifications, oh that’s right because Suunto vert 2 hasn’t improved it, while my Garmin 255 gives vastly more information/data. Who doesn’t want a light? I do, but this watch isn’t a vert 2. Vert 2 should have stayed true, MIP/solar, faster, light, improved maps and put in some Coros Nomad features, for fishing, hunting, exploring, geocaching, real land navigation. It’s missing the biggest sales segment possible and what is that. Millions of soldiers and this is a hobby watch for someone playing in the Greek isles, noting more.launch

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October 1, 2025

Several long-term Suunto users report HR readings spike erratically in early miles and that load/recovery metrics feel inaccurate compared to Garmin.

@HoldenDent

Great review! I just ordered a Vertical 2 last week and it shipped from CA. It actually notes on their site that they have a US warehouse, I guess that’s a very new thing. \nRegarding sleep tracking- I wonder if this was recently updated, I have been wearing both my Fenix 8 and the Vertical 2 and I’m getting almost identical stats even the stages are almost identical. \nI will say the recourses and recovery score are pretty confusing compared to the Garmin metricslaunch

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July 6, 2026

@tarnad1

Suunto Race 2 user here (more than a month now). After 10+ years with Garmin, it feels like Suunto’s acute load and recovery metrics are a bit off.\n\nFor example, a 3-hour gravel ride at an almost recovery pace shows 2–3x more load than a 40-minute Hyrox workout at high intensity that completely smashed me for the rest of the day. I was running a Fenix 6 Pro in parallel, and it showed the opposite, much higher load and recovery impact from the Hyrox session.\n\nOverall, Garmin’s Load and Recovery metrics feel much more accurate to me.launch

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January 12, 2026

@cpascariello

I've been using Suunto since the Spartan and I stayed loyal to the brand mainly because of aesthetics, but I have to say that the heart rate spikes really annoy me. After all these years, they still can't seem to nail it even if I use their strap. The first 1 or 2 miles, my heart rate is all over the place before it settles down. This is actually the reason I still didn't go for the RACE 2 and I probably wont, tbh :(\n\nAre there others here with the same issue?launch

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November 25, 2025

Some commenters feel the Vertical 2 is nearly identical to the cheaper Race 2, only adding battery capacity and a flashlight, undermining its unique appeal.

@dreamer_510

Strange movement making the Vertical 2 and the Race 2 almost the same watch. And a pity Suunto abandoned MIP for all of the people that do lot of mountainering and do like a real AOD white screen and to not depend on wrist gesture.launch

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October 9, 2025

@blackhawk69100

I can assure you the community really isn’t happy at all with the Vertical 2. It’s nothing more than a Race 2 with a slightly bigger battery and flash light. Everything that made the Vertical stand out has been taken away.launch

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September 30, 2025

@1989Tod

Pff was looking forward to this, but between this and the race 2 there is no much difference. Vertical 2 has 60h batter race 2 has 50h, and vertical has a flash light that basically no one ever uses. The displays are exactly the same and no difference there as both are using same Amoled display now. No Solar for the Vertical any more. I think I may go and upgrade my Vertical 1 with the Race 2.launch

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September 30, 2025

Users note the lack of Spotify/music support, contactless payments, and dual Bluetooth HR sensor support, which keeps some tied to Garmin's ecosystem.

@stephencarr9342

I got this watch two weeks ago, it’s generally very good. My issue is the Suunto software - the watch obviously connects to external heart rate monitors via Bluetooth - but if you want to use a dual HRM ( for example using Zwift on a treadmill and also to record activity with the watch) you can’t do it even though the tech is in place. Exasperated after trying with a wahoo trackr and a garmin dual hrm I contacted Suunto who said dual Bluetooth receiver is not supported- if you try to connect a second HRM channel the watch defaults to the wrist optical sensor even if that is turned off- period. \nThis is a real shame, because it does work with my Apple Watch 10 and presumably other brand watches, but I wanted my data in Suunto. The optical isn’t terrible, but it’s nowhere near the standard of a chest strap.\nOh.. and when doing an activity you can’t go back to the menu or Home Screen unless someone can advise otherwise?launch

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February 19, 2026

@SuperSushiRoll

Sadly, Garmins support for both Youtube Music and Spotify, as well as Garmin pay keep me in their ecosystem. I think these smaller things are also worth a slight consideration. \n\nWe're wearing these things all day, having those two features are amazing. Music without taking your phone with you (if you aren't going on trails and are at a well known area), as well as just using Garmin pay are just enough to keep me in their ecosystem.launch

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November 25, 2025

@Renato.P

I like so much the Suunto design in general, they are including proper navigation into many models you can get for even around 300eur/usd at the moment, I'd happily take the race or race 2, even this vertical 2, but it's crazy that in 2025 you don't have music (spotify/apple music/etc) on each and every brands' watches. Garmin's monopoly on the spotify enabled watch market is insane to me. If I am outdoorsy I have to choose between having music without proper navigation, navigation without music, or need an 800-1000 eur/usd watch. This is really disappointing.launch

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October 23, 2025

A commenter reports that saving walked routes requires an internet connection despite Bluetooth sync, which is problematic for an adventure watch used off-trail.

@simonmaney3438

I recently bought the Race S. Nice watch but slightly annoyed to find that I can't save walked routes directly on the watch, I have to use the App. Very disappointed to find that I also have to have an internet connection (despite the B/T sync working). In other words, if going off-trail in the back country, you can't save the route you have just walked.\nVery surprised that the 'adventure' orientated vertical 2 also needs internet to save waked routes.Breathtakingly stupid IMO, beware!!launch

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May 14, 2026

One user reports their Suunto 9 Peak failed completely after under two years with no meaningful support resolution, raising durability and customer service concerns.

@luumukallio

I strongly advise against buying a Suunto watch.\n\nMy Suunto 9 Peak stopped working completely after less than two years of normal use. The screen went fully black and the device is unusable. For a product in this price range, that is simply not an acceptable lifespan.\n\nWhat makes this worse is the resolution offered by customer service. Since the watch cannot be repaired, the only option provided was to buy a replacement at a price that is the same as retail. In other words there is no real accountability for a premature product failure.\n\nAfter several weeks of waiting and follow ups, the final answer was that nothing more will be done. There was no flexibility, no goodwill, and no real effort to stand behind the product. With this they basically admit that it’s normal for their watches to die after two years.\n\nBecause of this experience, I cannot recommend that anyone purchases Suunto products. Better products and customer service are available from other manufacturers.launch

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May 12, 2026