How did Suunto end up as the market leader in the outdoor altimeter watch industry? As long as I have been going outside, they have been the company with the best, toughest, and most innovative products.

Suunto began in 1936 as a compass manufacturer. Founder Tuomos Vohlonen was able to develop a process for efficiently mass-manufacturing liquid filled compasses. In the 50′s the company evolved to produce dive computers, and for 40 years their expertise was in the aquamarine world. Starting in the 90′s Suunto developed it’s outdoor computer line, starting with the Suunto Vector. The Vector was a huge hit, and sales remain strong even while Suunto continues to introduce new watch lines like the Suunto Core and Suunto X series.

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GPS or barometric pressure are the two ways most altimeter watch software calculates altitude.

Barometric pressure altimeter watches, as their name implies, use air pressure to determine elevation. Most altimeter watches are barometric altimeter watches, because the technology is self contained and does not depend on communication with any external source. GPS altimeter watches communicate geographic position with a satellite in the earth’s atmosphere and return altitude based on map datum. A GPS enabled altimeter watch does not need to be re-calibrated and is generally more accurate than a barometric pressure altimeter watch.

GPS enabled altimeter watches are the latest and greatest thing in watch technology. From a technical perspective, the way they work are quite simple. The altimeter watch communicates with a satellite to give latitude and longitude. The satellite also communicates altitude based on map datum. The benefits of a GPS enabled altimeter watch are obvious – accuracy and co calibration. Some of the best GPS enabled altimeter watches are the Garmin Forerunner series and the Suunto Military Series – the X9i and the X10.

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The altimeter watch has long been one of Suunto’s primary claims to fame, with the ten year old Vector the staple of their altimeter watch line. In 2007, Suunto decided to change things up a bit by releasing the Suunto Core. Boasting a digital compass, revolutionary storm warning function, and altimeter, this watch promised to re-make conventional thought on altimeter watches.

When the Suunto Core first came out, industry experts and everyday altimeter watch users were excited about it’s breakthrough technology. Features like the storm warning, the improved aesthetics, and large screen were welcome additions to the typically mundane altimeter watch. These additional features were set to take the Suunto Core from a piece of gear to a more wearable everyday watch.

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