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Fossil FX2008 and Suunto n6HR PDA Watches
Author: Talon
Date Posted:04/07/2005 15:40.56
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| SLRating:Fossil |  |
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Bottom Line:
Wristop,Computer and Advanced-tech watches still have a long way to go before general consumers and watch aficionados will consider them for normal use. But until then, both Fossil and Suunto have made commendable efforts in keeping the idea behind a wearable computer-esque tool alive.
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Design
Both the N3i and FX2008 have design modifications from their
predecessors. Focusing first on the n6HR, the most obvious difference is
Suunto's inclusion of a metal strap. Instead of the leather material that was
the strap on the N3i, the n6HR features adjustable metal and hard leather links.
Also, instead of a strap buckle, the watch is held together by a push-button
deployment clasp. (That's jewellery lingo for "flip-lock"). These changes make
for an even more stable and sturdy watch, something Suunto's active consumers
will appreciate. Otherwise, the n6HR does not have any big design deviations
from the N3i - their sizes are almost completely identical.
As is the case with the N3i and N3, the n6HR's wireless
transmitter is built into the watch face rather than into the strap. Upside:
more flexible strap. Downside: bigger watch face. Also like its predecessors,
the n6Hr is designed with a circular face and black under casing. It is not as
heavy as the FX2008 and is much more comfortable to wear. (The bottom of the
FX2008 is steel versus the n6HR's softer plastic /rubber material). Again, it is
obvious that Suunto has sport-oriented consumers in mind by crafting an even
more rugged watch than its predecessors.
The other new item in the n6HR package is the heart rate monitor.
This black strap wraps around your chest to read and transmit your well... heart
rate. It is designed with a curved upper portion to better fit the form of your
ribcage and to minimize discomfort. However, I still found it to be somewhat
stiff. When I slipped the strap on before running, it feels fine. However, a few
miles into the run and I can definitely feel some discomfort at having something
wrapped around my chest. (Note that this discomfort is characteristic of many
other heart rate monitors as well.) Perhaps Suunto should develop some kind of
sensor that transmits the same information without being constricting.
The FX2008 also sports some design modifications over its
predecessor. The first major difference is a slight increase in the size of the
watch face, and consequently the watch casing as well. This is to accommodate the
promised 160 x 160 pixel screen, 8 Mb of memory, and other features required to
run a scaled down version of a Palm Pilot. It may not seem like a big deal, but
with watches, every millimetre makes a difference, and yes, the larger watch
casing is definitely noticeable. Not a good thing. However, the design changes
are not entirely bad. The new leather strap is much more comfortable than the
stiff plasticky stuff the FX3005's strap was made of. It feels like high quality
cracked leather, and it is.
(Image credit: Fossil.com)
Formwise, Fossil has maintained the square shape of the watch from
the FX2008, a good tactic to minimize space (though whether enough space has
been minimized is questionable); if the watch face was circular, the size of the
watch casing would be intolerable. Another similarity is the FX2008's solid
steel casing. Shiny and heavy, just holding this thing gives the impression it
was built with geeky tech-centric businesspersons in mind; it is obvious
that you do not want to be playing tennis with this watch on. Oh yeah, and there
are some extra buttons that you didn't see on the FX3005 (after all, the FX2008
is not a SPOT watch). Along with a rocker button (a button that can be pressed
as well as "rocked" up or down), there are page up and page down buttons, as
well as a back button that doubles as the back light toggle. Also of note are an
infrared port and a compartment in the buckle that stores the stylus.
Below are two pictures that illustrate the deign contrasts
between the two watches.
 
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