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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Suunto Ambit2 R Review}}[[File:ambit2r.jpg|noneright|thumb|200px|The Ambit2 R, available in black or white.]]The {{Suunto Ambit2 R}} is one of my recommended running watches. The "R" in the name is for "Runner" offers good functionality, and is the moniker for the cheapest of the Ambit2 range. It lacks some of with the features of the more expensive Ambit2 watcheslatest firmware, but the price is far more attractive. The Ambit2 R offers great functionality and reasonable GPS accuracy, and it. It's only significant flaw is been superseded by the inability to display pace from a [[FootpodSuunto Ambit3]]. =Ambit2 R Pros=* The watch is highly configurable, and configuration is via a web site rather than fiddling with the watch. The Ambit2 can display up to 8 different pages of data, including various graphs. * You can download or create 'Apps' for the Ambit2, which allow for some degree of extensibility. These are not really applicationshas better GPS accuracy, but small scripts so the functionality is rather limited. It's nothing like the functionality that Garmin has in their Connect IQ. I have developed two apps that calculate [[Relative Running Economy]] for the Suunto older Ambit. One calculates a [http://www.movescount.com/apps/app10034021-Average_Relative_Running_Economy moving average] and the other a [http://www.movescount.com/apps/app10034023-Smoothed_Relative_Running_Economy smoothed current value]. * Data has to be uploaded to the Suunto website movescount.com but it can then be exported dropped in many different formats including TCX and FITprice. * While the standard battery life is not great at 8 hours, you can configure the Ambit2 so it only checks GPS data periodically, which compromises [[GPS Accuracy]] but improves battery life. I found that after 20 hours of use with 1 minute GPS checks I had a claimed 61% of battery life left, giving a projected life of about 50 hours. For more details, see [[GPS_Accuracy#GPS_Accuracy_and_Sampling_Rate| GPS Accuracy and Sampling Rate]].=Which Version?=* The Ambit2 will download a list of GPS satellites for quicker GPS acquisitioncomes in four versions with different functionality. This seems to work well, and when I think the cache is stale because the watch "R" has not been connected to the internet best value for a while, GPS acquisition is still reasonable. * The Abmit2 displays [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]]money, but unlike the Garmin units depending on your usage you have may want to explicitly set your 'activity class' rather than have the watch work it out automatically. In many ways I prefer having the activity class set explicitly.* There is also support pay for "[[Firstbeat| Recovery Time]]", though it's less obvious than the Garmin implementations which display the value at the end of each workouta more expensive version. The [[Firstbeat| Recovery Time]] displayed at the end of each workout is for that workout alone, which is rather useless. You can go into the log book to find the cumulative [[Firstbeat| Recovery Time]] but thatIf you's re a pain. * The Suunto web site (movescount.com) has remarkably good analysis and data from cyclist, the Ambit2. * The "RS" version of the Ambit2 is available in black or whitemight be worthwhile, with the white version intended for women. though I tried the white version won't comment further as I have smaller wrists and I found the materials used for the strap are remarkably soft and comfortable. * The Ambit2 can display a map of a route, or give you a map for going back to the start, though there is not a simple display of your current routefocus purely on running usage.* If you're prepared to pay morean ultrarunner, you can get other versions of then I think the "Ambit2 that provide extra functions" version could be well worth it. ** There's also a (The Sapphire version that uses "sapphire glass" which is far tougher, but given the extra cost it's only worth considering worthwhile if you're really tough hard on your watchesgear and want the damage resistance.) {| class="wikitable"
!
! Ambit2 Sapphire
! Ambit2
! Ambit2 S
|-
| Price
| <jfs id="B00F2NFK6Y" noreferb="true"/>
| <jfs id="B00C3REX7E" noreferb="true"/>
| <jfs id="B00C3R9YY6" noreferb="true"/>
| <jfs id="B00IJ4AOVYB00IWL9ZY6" noreferb="true"/>
|-
| Claimed battery life
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |15 hours (50 in extended mode)
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |15 hours (50 in extended mode)
| 8 hours (25 in extended mode)
|-
| Barometric altimeter
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes
| No
| No
|-
| Temperature sensor| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes| No| No|-| Compass| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes| Yes| No|-| Cycling support (speed/candencecadence/power)| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes
|-
| Swimming support
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Yes
| No
|-
| Materials (face, bezel)
| style="background-color: #80D600;" |Sapphire glass, Steel
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Glass, Steel
| style="background-color: #D5E3BB;" |Glass, Aluminum
| Glass, plastic
|}
=Ambit2 Pros=* The watch is highly configurable, and configuration is via a web site rather than fiddling with the watch. The Ambit2 can display up to 8 different pages of data, including various graphs. * You can download or create 'Apps' for the Ambit2, which allow for some degree of extensibility. These are not really applications, but small scripts so the functionality is rather limited. It's nothing like the functionality that Garmin has in their Connect IQ. I have developed two apps that calculate [[Relative Running Economy]] for the Suunto Ambit. One calculates a [http://www.movescount.com/apps/app10034021-Average_Relative_Running_Economy moving average] and the other a [http://www.movescount.com/apps/app10034023-Smoothed_Relative_Running_Economy smoothed current value]. * Data has to be uploaded to the Suunto website movescount.com but it can then be exported in many different formats including TCX and FIT. The Suunto website will also automatically export your workouts to other sites; currently Strava, Training Peaks, and Preva are supported. * While the standard battery life is not great at 8 hours, you can configure the Ambit2 so it only checks GPS data periodically, which compromises [[GPS Accuracy]] but improves battery life. With the "R " version I found that after 20 hours of use with 1 minute GPS checks I had a claimed 61% of battery life left, giving a projected life of about 50 hours, which is rather better than claimed. However, I was careful to avoid changing the display or recording laps in order to maximize battery life. For more details, see [[GPS_Accuracy#GPS_Accuracy_and_Sampling_Rate| GPS Accuracy and Sampling Rate]]. If you want more battery life, then it's worth upgrading to the Ambit2 which roughly doubles the battery life to 15/50 hours. * The Ambit2 will download a list of GPS satellites for quicker GPS acquisition. This seems to work well, and when the cache is stale because the watch has not been connected to the internet for a while, GPS acquisition is still reasonable. * The Ambit2 displays [[Firstbeat| Training Effect]], but unlike the Garmin units you have to explicitly set your 'activity class' rather than have the watch work it out automatically. In many ways I prefer having the activity class set explicitly.* There is also support for "[[Firstbeat| Recovery Time]]", though it's less obvious than the Garmin implementations which display the value at the end of each workout. The [[Firstbeat| Recovery Time]] displayed at the end of each workout is for that workout alone, which is rather useless. You can go into the log book to find the cumulative [[Firstbeat| Recovery Time]] but that's a pain. * The Suunto web site (movescount.com) has remarkably good analysis and data from the Ambit2. * I found the materials used for the strap are remarkably soft and comfortable. I'm perhaps a little fussy about my watch straps, and I sometimes wonder if some companies go out of their way to create crappy straps. The Ambit range is the best of any I've tried. * The Ambit2 can display a map of a pre-loaded course, which can be useful for navigating an unfamiliar route, but it requires forethought and effort. * You can use the Ambit2 to navigate back to the start of your run, but it only provides an arrow and compass, not a map. (There's no map of your current route in the way that Garmin watches often provide.)=Ambit2 Cons=
* The biggest downside to the Ambit2 compared to the 310XT/910XT/610 is that there is no way of displaying your current pace from the [[Footpod]] while using GPS for overall distance and course. You can only use a footpod by turning off GPS, which is pretty useless.
* The Ambit2 does not have a vibration alert, which is something I miss far more than I'd have expected. The vibration is useful for alerts, as you may not hear the beeping in noisy environments or when wearing headphones. The vibration in other watches is also useful as a confirmation you've actually pressed the lap button.
* Like any complex device, the Ambit2 can occasionally need a reboot. Sadly, while you can shut down the Ambit2 from the menu, the only way of waking it up again is to plug it into a USB power source. This should be a very rare issue, but if it happens to you on or just before a race, you're screwed. (To shut down, press the "Back/Lap" and "Start/Stop" buttons pressed to enter the service menu.)
=What's Missing=
While I don't consider these missing features as 'cons', it's worth understanding the features that are missing compared with other watches.
* '''Alerts'''. Some watches will alert you when a metric is out of range. The alert for [[Cadence]] is really useful and one of my favorite features.
* '''WiFi/Bluetooth Uploads'''. While the automatic upload of workouts via WiFi or Bluetooth to a Smartphone is nice, the upload will typically only go to the manufacturer's web site.
=GPS Accuracy=
With the 2.0.11 or later firmware, the Ambit2 has significantly improved their GPS accuracy. It's not as good as the [[Suunto Ambit3]], but it's still better than most other watches except the [[Polar V800]]. The latest firmware does better in every situation except going under the bridge where it has an issue reacquiring the signal and jumps off course. I not had any issues with the Ambit2 acquiring or maintaining the GPS signal, unlike some other devices.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:BridgeSuunto Ambit2 R 2.0.11.jpg | None | Thumb | x300px | the dark green lines show how remarkably accurate the latest firmware has become. However, if you look where the path crosses at the bridge you will see some minor issues with reacquisition. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]
|[[File:BridgeSuunto Ambit2 R 2.0.7.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| By contrast, the older firmware has more widely spaced tracks, and as the color indicates, far more errors. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:AccuracySuunto Ambit2 R 2.0.11.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| This close-up of a zigzag section shows how well the latest firmware is tracking. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]
|[[File:AccuracySuunto Ambit2 R 2.0.7.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| here again you can see the older firmware has more widely spaced tracks, and you can see the lap markers are more distributed. (This diagram has tracks color coded with green indicating good accuracy through to read indicating poor accuracy, and the lap markers as blue dots.)]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:ZigZagSuunto Ambit2 R 2.0.11.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| Here you can see the Ambit2 displaying the typical GPS behavior with the tracks that have the green lines shifted slightly down and to the left, blue up and to the right. You can see the lap markers similarly shifted. (This image has the tracks color-coded for direction, with green coming from the right, blue from the left.)]]
|[[File:ZigZagSuunto Ambit2 R 2.0.7.jpg|none|thumb|x300px| the older firmware shows similar behavior, but to a greater extent. (This image has the tracks color-coded for direction, with green coming from the right, blue from the left.)]]
|}
{{BuyAmazon|AZID=B00IW0O5WO|AZN=Suunto Ambit2 R}}
=Comparison Table=
{{:Best Running Watch-table}}
