specialty outdoor gear

I bought the stainless steel version of the Observer. Things you should know:
1. It is hard to buy this watch significantly discounted and still get the USA warrantee -- Sunnto tries to keep sales at list price.
2. This watch is not shock resistant, despite what I had seen elsewhere on the Internet
3. The watch band seems to not open up much. If you have a small wrist but large hand, you may have trouble getting this watch on and off. However, more careful examination reveals that the watch band opens up in two places, which makes the watch band's double-button lock less secure.
4. The stainless band is phony -- it's really a rubber band with a several embedded metal "ornaments" on each side made to look like a metal band. The part of the band under my wrist has no such ornaments and is all black. The stainless model still probably looks better than the black band. But if the titanium uses the same gimic with metal ornaments, buy the stainless which would be a better value.
5. For some reason, the watch shows a funny R in the FR weekday display on Fridays -- live with it!
6. Because of the barometer, the watch has a thermometer function, although it might only be accurate with the watch off wrist.
7. There are calibration functions for the compass and, I think, barometer. I haven't had a chance to check to see how accurate these instruments really are.

The Casio barometer/altimeter watch is a better value than the Sunnto although it is nowhere near as elegant as the Observer. And a regular ol' G-Shock will trounce the Observer when it comes to durability and battery life.

Truly a 'niche' product, the Suunto Observer defies classification. It's a sport watch, make no mistake, but Casio's line (particularly the 'G-Shocks') offer more for the money and MUCH increased battery life. It's several 'instruments' rolled into one, offering barometer, altimeter, compass and thermometer, but in a watch case, and, surprisingly, blending them into an attractive package.
If you're considering this 'wrist computer' (Suunto's term and fairly appropriate) for a 'techno' toy though, save your money. Typical of Suunto's products, it has stellar thinking behind it. Typical also it is cutting edge. However, also typical of products built and produced in Finland, it has an owner's manual that has to be about a 5 to 10 on the readability scale of a 100. Like all Scandinavian products, there is a concerted effort here to use icons whenever possible and it's like you walked into a Russian made helicopter; there may be icons, but you're still going to have to have someone explain it to you! But, like Suunto's diving gauges, one you cross the divide and spend some quality time with the manual, user reviews, internet postings and about 6 to 10 hours playing with it, you WILL have a grin on your face. It's an outstanding piece of technology, but only once you finally understand it.
A few points that may help you:
--I bought the stainless model (there is also a full rubber strap model and a titanium model). Realize it IS NOT a full stainless strap; it's a rubber strap with about 10 pieces of stainless for looks only. However, unlike some reviews posted, I truly LIKE the look and don't feel Suunto was cheesing out by just using stainless 'pieces' instead of a full stainless strap. It fits like a glove, once adjusted. It took me about 30 minutes to fit it perfectly.
--Other reviews give a hit or miss coverage of the DUAL opening latch on the strap. It does have 2 openings, the second is to give additional access if you have large hands/small wrists. One review stated, incorrectly, that the second latch undermines the first latches ability to hold it together tightly. If they would have examined the second latch in more detail, they would see that the primary latch COVERS the second with a gate, preventing it from opening. IN NO WAY does the second latch make this strap less strong. Typical Suunto, well engineered, but poorly documented.
--Carefully read one reviewer's lengthy discussion about how the barometric pressure and altitude settings work. They went into GREAT detail (more than I will here) covering how these two systems are interrelated and connected. Once you finally grasp it, it makes sense. For a summary, just remember this: When in camp, use the barometric setting; it will be very accurate when you do this. When on the trail, use the altitude setting. It's as simple as that.
--Some reviewers stated that the systems (any or all) aren't terribly accurate. WRONG. They are accurate. I've compared the barometer and altimeter to dedicated systems I have and they're very, very close. The compass matches a Brunton transit within a few degrees. Take the time to learn how to use them and they're very handy and very accurate.
--One reviewer stated that the battery life on the Casio's is far superior to the Suunto (even I did at the start of this review). That IS an accurate statement. What they left out though, is that the Suunto has an EASILY replaced battery that doesn't require the back of the watch to come off (Casio's DO require the back to be removed). So it's a toss up. I find on my Casio's that with regular backlight use, they get eaten up pretty quickly too. Realize, Casio only rates their batteries at ONE use of the backlight per day, and who only uses a backlight once a day? On their top rated G-Shock (which I also own) the battery life drops 2 YEARS when you use the backlight just twice a day. I'll take Suunto's approach any day; just use a dime to remove a separate cover for the battery and you're back in business.
--The Suunto has one thing no Casio has--it's stylish. Very European/high tech looking and built like a tank too. Make no mistake, I'll still wear my Casio if I'm diving, because I don't want to scratch the Suunto (kind of crazy isn't it? I'm not concerned about my Suunto dive gauges, lol).
So I'm giving the Suunto four stars; was considering three for the STEEP learning curve, but after I finally 'got it' I was grinning like a Cheshire cat. It is really a fun instrument to play with and truly does offer features in a unique package. Highly recommended, but don't buy it if you aren't willing to spend the time learning its nuances. One last note and one that helped me the most. I was frustrated with Suunto's labels of the buttons and finally adopted Casio's system that I kludged together. This watch has 4 buttons. De-program yourself from thinking of them in Suunto's terms. Use Casio's EXCELLENT system of calling the buttons A,B,C and D. Just make a little cheat sheat that corresponds to A,B,C and D. A is top left, B is top right, C is bottom left and D is bottom right. Once you convert Suunto's system to Casio's, it is SO much easier! Hope this helps someone!

Let me first start by saying that I collect watches and I can't remember the last time I bought a watch that exceeded my expectations like the Observer did! And I had great expectations :D

Design
I bought the Steel with plastic strap on white face design. My choice for this combo is simple:

1. From experiences steel tends to be more durable than titanium, when used in wristwatches. Titanium tends to dent when impacted whilst steel only scratches.
2. IMO, the black plastic band looks better than the steel one, but that's a personal preference.
3. The white face was chosen - as versus the black face that is so popular - because I 'feel' that the watch carries an industrial design theme in which the white face does a better job at pulling off. The white face is more like a Bulvgari diver's watch, whilst the black is more a rendition of a 'digital' Movado! There is only so much 'class' a digital watch can carry off!

Functions
1. I won't really get into functionality because it has been more than adequately by others. However I do wish add that a level for the compass, perhaps an electronic one, like the Suunto X6, would be nice. I find my self second-guessing my bearings.
2. Although the baro-alti fixing mode is very handy especially for urbanized people, there also needs to be a mode where the barometer and altimeter are not fixed against the other, much like the Vector.
3. As to the issue of the alarm being weak, mine seems okay! I tested it against my Vector, G-Shock and Nike Triax; the Triax was the strongest and the Observer the weakest, but not by much. This is probably because it is a later model made sometime in October 03 (box says '341,' - Year/Week) so they may have fixed the alarm issue.

Improvements
1. I wished Suunto used a Sapphire crystal face instead of the cheaper Mineral crystal. Mineral crystal scratches fairly easy, Sapphire crystal is dang near impossible to scuff! Come on Suunto, my Tissot is half the price of the Observer and it has Sapphire face! I would not mind paying the extra $15 it cost to have it in Sapphire.
2. The pressure sensor is located where gunk can easily get into, relocating it to the left side, front or back (though it may be thicker) would be wiser!
3. And finally, the watch body is made of metal yet the backing is plastic, what's up with that... Make it all metal please! I have heard of the plastic backs chemically melting on older Suunto models when in contact with Deet and various other stronger agents.

Despite all these criticisms the watch is truly impressive. Even the button's internal mechanisms are of high quality, which is a rare thing in digital watches, and the overall craftsmanship puts it ahead of many other models (that I have tested). When compared to most other digital wrist-top computers the attention to detail, design and quality puts the Suunto Observer in a league of its own!