​As a hunter, one of the biggest investment you can make is getting a hunting watch. When out there in the woods hunting, there are a number of factors you should consider other than when to strike. Factors like knowing the time, the temperature or if there is any incoming storm. Known as one of the best sport watch manufacturers, Suunto gives us a range of sporting watches ideal for various outdoor activities including hunting. In this article, we will cover features to consider when buying a hunting watch and our top three picks from Suunto.
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​Best Suunto Watches for Hunting
​Our Top End Pick: Suunto Traverse Alpha
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: ​Made with various modes, you are in a position to pick the hunting mode, get all the hunting features available out there, and customize the watch to your liking.
The Lowdown
​Battery Life
​Depending on the GPS mode you choose, the battery can last from 10 to 100 hours.
​Waterproof
​It is water resistant up to 300ft or 100m.
​GPS
​Accurate GPS/ GLONASS navigation with ability to map out your Point of Interest.
​Material
​Bezel material of stainless steel with Sapphire crystal on the glass material and textile material on the strap for durability.
Pros
- ​Storm alarm for any incoming storm and weather trend alert.
- ​Has an automatic shot detection.
- ​It is easy to use.
- ​Shows sunset to sunrise times with alerts.
Cons
- ​Does not come with preloaded maps.
​Suunto Traverse Alpha Review:
​Made specifically for outdoors activities, this is the best watch for a hunter from the Finnish Company, Suunto. It comes with modes for hunting, hiking and fishing, with each mode having its own specifications. It is easy to use and can be customized to suits your personal needs.
What we love most about this watch is the GPS, which has a Point of Interest feature. It allows you to pick your route, navigate easily as well as record any locations you have had shots at and saves them in case you need to refer to your earlier routes.
Additionally, it has an automatic shot detection feature that allows you to know when you are in direct shot with your animal. The only issue with the GPS is that there are no pre-loaded maps like its counterparts.
The battery of the watch is also very durable and you can count on it to last for long hours, even days, depending on the use. The sunset and sunrise times feature on the watch also has alerts to help you keep track of time.
Another thing that caught our eye about this watch is red back-light night vision that is compatible with Google. In case it gets late while out there, or you want to stay late in the woods hunting, the watch has excellent night vision for you to rely on.
Other features on this watch that we love are the compass, mobile notifications, moon phase calendar, back-light in flashlight mode, and its compatibility with both Android and iOS. It is also water resistant and has a weather trend and storm alarm.
See it in Action
​Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Great
Price: 
Bottom Line: ​For a hunting watch with unlimited amount of data, high performance, long life as well as durability, this watch would be a worthy investment.
The Lowdown
​Battery Life
​Battery can last up to 10 hours while delivering GPS accuracy and up to 40 hours with power saving options.
​Waterproof
​It is water resistant up to 300ft or 100m.
​GPS
​Has a GPS/ GLONASS that shows route navigation and measures altitude.
​Material
​Made of stainless steel on the bezel, sapphire crystal on the glass and textile material on the wrist band that make it durable.
Pros
- ​Water resistant up to 300ft.
- ​Durable due to the stainless steel, sapphire glass and textile materials.
- ​Has a GPS / GLONASSS for easy navigation.
- ​Has a storm alarm alert for storm notification.
Cons
- ​It is pricey compared to its counterparts but worth it.
​Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro Review:
​As a multi-functional watch, the Spartan Sport HR Baro comes with a GPS/ GLONASS route navigation that you can use to know your direction and navigate through the woods. With the use of GPS for navigation, the battery can last up to 10 hours while it goes up to 40 hours with power saving options.
It is water resistant up to 300ft or 100m making it safe to wear during the stormy weather. The storm alert feature on the watch makes it easy for you to know in case there is an incoming storm. This will help you to be well prepared before the storm hits.
In case you want to keep yourself up to date with the rest of the world when out there, you can sync the watch with your mobile. It can sync with an android phone or iOS. With a variety of languages, you can customize it to your preferred language for easy use.
Apart from having to dig deeper into your pockets to acquire it, this is a durable, can be customized and very efficient hunting watch worth investing in.
See it in Action
​Good Budget Pick: Suunto Ambit3 Peak
Outdoor Veteran Rating: Good
Price: 
Bottom Line: ​For a low budget hunting watch, this watch will serve your needs as a hunter with its GPS route navigation and tracking feature, compass, and the life of its battery.
The Lowdown
​Battery Life
​Can last up to 30 hours when on GPS mode.
​Waterproof
​It is water resistant up to 100m.
​GPS
​Has a compass, route navigation and tracking feature.
​Material
​The bezel is made of steel with mineral crystal on the glass material and elastomer on the wrist band.
Pros
- ​Lower budget compared to its counterparts.
- ​It is easy to use.
- ​Has a flexible wrist band that is very comfortable and replaceable if need be.
- ​Has a rechargeable lithium ion battery.
Cons
- ​Short life battery.
​Suunto Ambit3 Peak Review:
​For a good budget watch, this watch from Suunto is the ideal watch for a hunter. With a GPS/ GLONASS feature, it allows you to navigate easily through your routes. The compass feature on the watch also comes in handy in case you need clear directions or as a backup for your other compass.
The wrist band of the watch is highly breathable, thanks to the elastomer material used. The material is also flexible, which helps in enhancing the comfort of the watch on your wrist. The polyamide material used on the bezel of the watch makes it durable and can withstand and outdoor activities such as hunting.
The storm and weather alert features on he watch helps one to know in case the weather is starting to change for the worst. It also has sunrise to sunset timer and alerts.
See it in Action
Features to Look for
Battery life
How long will you be out there? The longer your hunting spree will last the longer you need your watch. The battery life is really important especially if the watch will have other features such as the GPS and barometer running. Go for a watch that has a long life to avoid getting lost in case the battery runs out and the watch is your main navigation tool.
GPS and a Compass
This is one of the most important features to lookout for in a hunting watch. Even if you have another compass, the GPS and compass on the watch will come in hand in case you misplace the other one.
Waterproof
A water resistant watch is really important because you can use it during the rainy season. You will also not be worried in case a storm breaks out or you happen to fall in a paddle of water. Accidents happen. It is good to be safe.
Durability
As we have mentioned time and time again, any durable outdoor equipment is a great investment! A durable hunting watch will save you the trouble of always worrying if you need to buy a replacement in the next few months or so. Most durable watches are made of stainless steel or a similar material.
Wrist Band Material
As much as the wrist band does not look like a feature you should pay attention to, you should make sure you are comfortable in it. It should also be durable. Try the watch on, too, to make sure the band is the right fit for you.
Final Note
As a hunter, it is good to invest in a watch that you can count on anytime you are out there in the woods. You need a watch that is durable, waterproof, has a GPS and compass, as well as weather and storm alert features. Suunto gives us a variety of multisport watches, with some made for some specific outdoor activities. As a hunter, the best Suunto hunting watch to go for is the Traverse Alpha, which is made with specific modes for outdoor activities- hunting, fishing and hiking. This, of course, does not mean it is the only watch you can go for. If you are on a low budget, the Suunto Ambit3 Peak will serve your needs since it checks all the features you need in a hunting watch.
