Watch Designed To Navigate The ‘Pain Cave’

[leadin]Do you know the pain cave? It’s that dark and lonely place found on long and fast mountain slogs, at high altitude, maybe on a bike, or on skis, or on foot. It’s known well by those who strive to ascend fast, setting records on the way to the summit.[/leadin]

Suunto created a watch meant to navigate this “pain cave,” the Ambit3 Vertical. It comes to market this week starting at $469.

The latest edition to the brand’s Ambit line, the Vertical is sleeker and smaller thanks to a new GPS antenna configuration. It has a barometer for elevation measurements, route altitude profile, vibration alerts, and multi-sport functions for running, cycling and swimming.

A callout feature, the Altitude profile shows current gain and descent in real time. It also displays climbs and descents that lie ahead on the route. For those doing big mountain climbs, races, or trying to crush FKTs, this feature could prove crucial.

Another upgrade: Its GPS functions can work for up to 100 hours on a single charge in its lowest fix-rate setting. Now you can GPS-track a whole multi-day adventure without worry of the battery running low.

Suunto Ambit3 Vertical: Navigation, Tracking Features

Like all Ambit3 GPS watches, the Vertical tracks speed and distance, in addition to effort and recovery when used together with a heart rate belt.

GPS navigation via turn-by-turn directions and the ability to drop waypoints are included. You can navigate back over a set track to find your way out of the woods, however we always encourage paper maps and compass skills as backups in the wilderness.

For bragging rights (and training data) a summary of ascents provides daily totals over seven days, 30 days, and a full year.

There is a feature that displays a wearer’s all-time total for feet climbed and distanced traveled.

The Vertical allows for route and workout planning in conjunction with the Suunto MovesCount app. It also allows for push notifications to the watch from incoming calls and texts from a phone.

Stryd Power Meter Compatibility

A new-to-market meter can be used to measure power while running and is compatible with the Vertical. The Stryd provides accurate power output data for runners through an ankle-worn power meter.

The meter measures watt output, and it works in conjunction with a coaching program powered by a smartphone.

In addition to the Ambit3 Vertical, Stryd Powermeter compatibility is made available for all Suunto Ambit3 watches.

Who Should Choose The Ambit3 Vertical?

The Vertical is quite similar to other watches in the Ambit family, but it is designed for those who really want to crush the ascents.

As one brand spokesperson put it, “the Peak model is for those who want to get to the summit; the Vertical is for those who want to get to the summit, fast.”

–See details on Suunto.com.