Suunto Vector Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and Thermometer (Black)

The Vector is a good watch for anyone with a sweet tooth for cool gadgets. It is a comfortable and capable watch, but for the price I would have to say I expected a little more. I have had my watch for about 3 weeks and have 2 negative thigs to say about it thus far. The first day I had the watch I somehow scratched the face IN THE POOL.....how that happened I have no idea, so I have been VERY careful to not let the watch touch anything, but I am afraid that as soon as I get used to it and start wearing it like I should it is going to take a beating and who knows how it will come out. Second, the altimeter is very shifty. I have to reset it about every third time I look at it. I have read the instruction book and have been doing everything as it states, but cannot get it to function properly. Being in the military (NAVY) I spend most of my time at sea level, so I check it every time I am significantly higher than sea level, and it is almost always wrong, WAY WRONG.
The compass is nice and pretty accurate, thermometer is a little unreasonable (must take watch off for 15 minutes to get an accurate reading), and barometer is fairly accurate, but overall I had to go with a rating of 3.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A COOL LOOKING WATCH THAT HAS THE CAPABILITY OF DOING NEAT THINGS, THIS IS THE ONE FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE GOING TO DEPEND ON THE NEAT THINGS THAT THE WATCH IS SUPPOSED TO DO- I'D PASS.

The watch worked great for about two weeks, then became unreadable. I am in the process of returning it... so will see how their warrenty policy holds up.

As a previous reviewer has pointed out, the older Vectors utilized a positive display, with the numbers in black and the lcd background a grey color. The most recent Vector I purchased on Amazon came with the negative display, which is simply the opposite ... the numbers being grey on a black background. Since the brightness of the grey numbers cannot be increased to stand out better against the black, it makes it ridiculously difficult to read in many lighting conditions. Turning on the backlight helps, but to do that you have to hold the light button down for 2 seconds before it responds. What a pain. The functions of the watch are great, however. Just note there is a steep learning curve to understanding the buttons. A read of the manual is a must.

After purchasing the Suunto Core (Light Green), I have to admit there is no comparison really. The Core is much easier to use, easier to read, more comfortable to wear. The only disadvantage of the Core may be its durability for such a thin and lightweight housing. But so far it's held up to everything I've put it through.

In my opinion, for the price this is the best hiking watch around. I have been hiking and use all of the watch functions, as far as I can tell they are accurate, except the temperature when it is on my wrist, so I take it off for 15 to 20 minutes as it has been suggested and it is more in line with the temperatures in my area. I hike in 100 degree temps, and a bit higher.

This is the first watch of this kind that I ever owned. I will say that once you get to know it, you will truly be amazed at the many functions that no other watch company can even come close to doing.