More than just a heart rate monitor, the lightweight Suunto T3 helps you train with confidence by providing real-time information on the aerobic benefit of each workout. Runners, bikers, kayakers, and other sports enthusiasts will appreciate the Suunto T3's combination of robust technology and versatile style.What if you could glance at your wrist and see the total aerobic benefit of your workout in real-time? You'd know how much harder to push and for how long. Based on your personal fitness profile, the Suunto T3 delivers essential feedback on your aerobic activities, including heart rate, calories burned, and zone training information. You can also add real-time speed and distance data by combining the Suunto T3 with optional Suunto PODs (available separately). To ensure your workout data is accurate, the Suunto T3 is digitally coded for interference-free transmission.
By monitoring your Training Effect (TE), the T3 takes the guesswork out of effective training. Using data from your personal fitness profile, the watch analyzes your physiological progress and translates the data into a simple, one-to-five TE scale. For example, if you want to improve your aerobic fitness at a moderate tempo, you should exercise until your TE meter reads between 3.0 and 3.9, two to four times per week. To improve your aerobic condition more rapidly, but without the risk of over-training, you should push yourself harder once or twice per week, so your TE meter reads 4.0 to 4.9, with a few recovery sessions in the TE 1.0 to 2.0 range.
Training Effect is relative to each individual. While a novice runner might achieve a TE of 4.0 on a four-mile jog, a professional runner might have to complete an uphill marathon to get the same reading. Both runners will have to exercise hard to achieve a TE of 4.0.
 The T3 offers dual time, date, alarm, and stopwatch functionality with split/lap. |
In addition to being a full-features heart rate monitor and fitness watch, additional functions of the T3 include dual time, date, alarm, and a stopwatch with split/lap.
Key Features:
- Real-time Training Effect
- Current heart rate, average heart rate, and maximum heart rate
- Real-time calories burned
- Three-tier zone training system with alarms
- Two adjustable heart rate limits with alarms
- Compatible with Suunto PC POD (available separately)
- Dual time, date, and alarm
- Log memory for 15 workouts
- Stopwatch with 50 split laps
- Interval timer
- User-replaceable battery
- Heart rate belt with error-free ANT transmission technology
- Water resistant to 30 meters (100 feet)
About Suunto
Suunto was founded in 1936 by outdoors man and a keen orienteering enthusiast, Tuomas Vohlonen, who had long been bothered by a problem: the inaccuracy of traditional dry compasses and their lack of steady needle operation. Being an engineer with an inventive turn of mind, he discovered and patented the production method for a much steadier needle, better readings, and a new level of accuracy.
By 1950 the company was exporting compasses to over 50 countries around the world, including Canada and the United States. In 1952, Helsinki was hosting the Olympic Games, and the torches carried to light the Olympic flame were Suunto products. The next step was improving the stability and accuracy of marine compasses. The first marine compass, the Suunto K-12, was launched onto the market in 1953. In 1957, Suunto started manufacturing hypsometers, which measure the height of trees.
In the 1960s, the compass range grew further and Suunto introduced its first diving compass--initiated by the divers themselves. A British sports diver attached a Suunto compass to his wrist and found that the device also worked underwater. Thanks to his feedback and initiatives, the new business category was found. Suunto's exports and business grew steadily and Suunto then focused on combining its strength in precision mechanics with new skills in electronics. Accuracy, reliability, and ruggedness have been Suunto's key values from the very beginning of the company history.
Today, Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports instruments for training, diving, mountaineering, hiking, skiing, sailing, and golf. True to its roots, Suunto is today the world's biggest compass manufacturer. Prized for their design, accuracy and dependability, Suunto sports instruments combine the aesthetics and functionality of watches with sport-specific computers that help athletes at all levels analyze and improve performance. Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs more than 500 people worldwide and distributes its products to nearly 60 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Amer Sports Corporation with the sister brands Wilson, Salomon, Atomic, Precor, and Mavic.
List Price: $169.99
Amazon Price: $148.95
Customer Review: Decent HRM
I have used this several times and it works well, I like knowing where my HR is and how many calories I've burned. In my opinion, it's not very intuitive, so be prepared to use the manual, and the face does scratch pretty easily. I have had issues in my kickboxing class where the watch cannot find the belt, I'm guessing because of interference with other HRMs. It also doesn't fit under my (boxing) gloves, which is a hassle, I've given up using it during class and have just been using it for biking.
Customer Review: Used or Brand New
I purchased a used T3 (from a retail store) with a dead battery, scratches on the face and no manuals. After replacing the battery, I downloaded the manuals from the American Suunto website (www.SuuntoWatches.com) and found it was easier to understand by looking at the pictures in the user manual while reading the quick start guide. The features are advanced enough to track multi-disciplined or complex training sessions. The HR monitor will not work very well without inputting your personal stats: height, weight, DOB, gender. I kept the activity level at 5, which is the default setting. "PolyWatch" creme removed all of the scratches. Then I put a Zagg (www.zagg.com) protective film over the face to prevent future scratches. My T3 looks better than brand new. It was worth taking the time to learn how to use it.
