as an avid sports enthusiast the fenix 3 is the only choice (especially the new one with HR). suunto has no gps / heart rate / no tracking data of any kind. it falls short for me on every category.
You are correct, the CORE is limited in features, but also costs a LOT less than the Fenix3. Definitely in a different class than from the Fenix3 or Suunto Ambit and Traverse...not a fair comparison. Again, you get what you pay for. As an ex ultrarunner, I was also seriously looking at the Fenix 3. After taking a look and talking to employees at REI, I went with Suunto. They sell both, but two employees there bought and returned Fenix 3 and returned them for "issues." The guy I talked to, also a runner, recommended the Suunto Ambit3 Vertical or the Traverse over the Fenix, until bugs are fixed. Having owned the Suunto X6HR and T6 now for many years (both with HR, by the way, and I still use them), I went with the Ambit3 Vertical, and couldn't be happier. GLONASS GPS appears to be very accurate, HR works great ( just like on my other Suunto's), and though I have no use for my ol' Suunto bike or foot pods, they DO interface to the Vert (as well as an available power meter for biking) . And the Vertical and Traverse both have tracking/breadcrumb data. The Traverse also has weather data (not on the Vert), but is probably geared more to hiking/trekking, than running. The CORE has been around for a long time now, and is still a great product for the limited functions it has. I'd buy one just cuz it looks cool!
Great review! Nice looker, but not enough sport functionality when compared to other Suunto products, i.e. Ambit2, Ambit 3, Traverse models. No splits, no heart rate monitor, no GPS, no i/f for bike pod, footpod, power meter. But you do get what you pay for.
This watch is great. I've have mine for three years till this day. Runs great, easy replacement of battery when needed and functional. Durability wise is outlasts, the bezzile of course will scratch over time but the glass or plastic still has not gotten one scratch. Truly awesome watch.
i realy liked the Suunto Core All Black.
the head player in the movie :the equalizer had that watch and i needed to have one because it looked so cool and i searched a lot to this watch.