Suunto T3c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch (Black Polished)

I bought this watch for my husband for Christmas. I did order it in plenty of time, and it arrived unharmed. I'm not sure how well it works yet (it's a Christmas gift) but it does have all the features it needs. I also like the additional training items available for this product (now I have something to buy him for his birthday).

Bought this watch last week and have used it roughly 3 times (twice running and once at the gym for lifting). The feature set is excellent. You are able to setup intervals for running which for some reason is hard to find with other HRMs that actually look decent. The chest strap is very comfortable and once adjusted, you feel as if it's not even there.

My biggest complaint, as others of stated, is the durability of the screen. With only a weeks worth of use, the screen has been scratched beyond use. It's made of some type of plastic and not glass. Suunto, spend the extra $5 and upgrade the screen. Any watch that you pay over $100 for should not have this sort of problem, especially when Suunto prides itself on extreme outdoor activity.

Now I'm just trying to figure out now which other HRMs to use that will provide the same feature set as the t3c. Despite the nice look of the t3c, I can not recommend it due to the scratching issue.

I'm a longtime fan of Suunto products and love my Altimax altimeter watch. That being said, I find the T3C to be a disappointing product for several reasons. Although it does work well as an HRM, and I like the menuing, there are some problems that prevent me from recommending it.

1)This unit is made in China (not Finland) and doesn't have the same quality feel as the Suunto wrist computers.

2)The watch band (wrist strap) that comes with the unit is completely unsuitable for an athletic watch. It's polished, stiff, black plastic, and uncomfortable to wear. The replacement strap available from Suunto is perfect for this watch, should have been included and costs $20. Additionally, the strap is unique to Suunto so you cannot use a velcro strap or another brand.

3) The watch face scratches VERY easily, unlike the Suunto wrist computers. You will want to buy an Invisible Shield screen protector, and they cost $10. So plan on spending $30 more just to get this unit in useable condition.

Bottom Line: I wouldn't buy it again. Polar does a better job with heart rate monitors.

I've only had it a few weeks, but I've used it almost daily, and it works reliably with one very minor glitch: its sensitivity in the first minute or two of a workout is questionable. Sometimes the heart rate display in the first few minutes doesn't change when I know full well my heart rate has. This is probably related to electrical conductivity. As soon as you start to perspire at all it's 100% reliable, and I've avoided this problem by pre-moistening the contacts. I think one can buy special conductive gel like what they use in EKGs. Anyway, this is minor. I've used it on twelve 50-180 minute runs and never had any problem except in the first minute or two. The chest strap is also comfortable enough that you can forget it's there.

This is not a very good product for Suunto. The chest monitor belt broke as soon as I took it out of the box. Not user-friendly.

And the seller does not accept returned goods that are out of the box, and then, only within 3 days. Ridiculous.