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While an interesting idea, so far I can only recommend this gadget for junkies only. Plainly put, it's really just not ready for the 'average joe' consumer yet, for a couple of reasons. Most obviously is the cost. For what ammounts to a really high end pager, it's a really expensive piece at close to three-hundred bucks. However, if you have the money to spend and want a "new toy" the 'n3' does have two glaring advantages over it's Fossil counter-parts.

First (and most obviously, in my opinion) it's waterproof. Although I'm certainly not an expert, I'd imagine a watch that's completely electronic would have a real weakness to the elements. Suunto (designer of various diving and hiking watching) seems to have taken as many precautions as possible to make the watch impervious to weather.

It's second advantage is building the watch's antenna around the face. In each of the Fossil alternatives, the antenna is built into the watch band, making the band almost indespensable (not to mention easily breakable).

So if you're in the market, amoung the handful of available products out there, Suunto's n3 is clearly WAY ahead of the curve. Hopefully the more SPOT watches catch on, the lower the price will go. As it is now though, between the watch and the subscription costs, it really is FAR too expensive to qualify as a must own.

I've had my Suunto for about 2 months, and I really like it.

Pros:
-Battery lasts a long time, probably can go 7-10 days without a recharge. When traveling, can recharge from your laptop with a USB port as long as you have the cable.
-Love having Outlook pushed to my watch, don't have to whip out the PDA to see where I need to be next. The watch will count down the amount of time to your next appointment (or how late you are!).
-Correct time as long as you're in the MSN direct service area.
-Sports content is betting better, given the late start time for NBA playoffs, I can pop out of bed in the AM and check out the scores and the box scores.
-Excellent customer support from MSNdirect. I've e-mailed tech support and always gotten a response - one that works - within a couple of hours.

Cons:
-Will MSN direct survive or will you be left with a $300 watch that functions like a $20 watch?
-Some features a little buggy - I've had to reset the watch to receive content and correct time information when traveling.
-The only watch that will cost you $60 every year that you own it. You could buy a lot of watches for that money.

Bottom line: great for gadget-freaks, the obsessive compulsive (always have the correct atomic-clock time), those with busy calendars. For me, taking a stealth peak at my watch versus pulling out a PDA or cell phone is less disruptive/obtrusive in many meeting settings.

Pros:
humongous, clear face - stunning
pretty watch
easy user interface
waterproof, bangproof, everything proof
many timer features
MSN Direct - like nothing else

Cons:
$60 per year, unless you just want to keep time for $300
$300 for the watch
THICK - I thought there was a mistake on the amazon review. This seriously is half an inch thick.
No hourly weather

Great product. It is still amazing to me. The backlight is strong, and I get the sports scores while riding my bike! It is easy to use for a "gadget". Note: this is much better than the Fossil/Fossil-Abacus watches. It can take a beating, and recieve messages. Graphics are clear and common. It is a great watch (I believe, because this is my first watch). Just note: this thing is really thick. Every picture seems to hide it, but not this one: shermans.gotdns.com/SuuntoN3.jpg. Think this watch over - it is different. However, it is very good.