Is it me or is Ambit missing this ridiculously basic feature for a GPS watch?

[paduncan]

So, given that when you are in exercise mode (after you press the start button) you cannot view the compass, I do not see any available view that enables you to see your heading. When you are going through the list of views available on movescount.com, you do not have any option for heading, bearing, etc. This means once you are in exercise mode, and you can no longer access the 3D compass, you do not have any way to see your heading with the GPS.

Any GPS I have ever used, whether it be a car, hand held, or my Garmin FR 610 shows you your heading when you are in motion. This is like GPS 101 folks.

Not to be sarcastic, but does the "GPS for explorers" really not allow you to check your heading with either the compass, or the GPS when you are in exercise mode (i.e., trekking)? Suunto's reasoning up until now was to leave some features out to focus on the "core functionality" of the watch - this one in my view would classify as "core functionality."

Am I missing something here?

[buzz819]

It's something I hadn't thought about, but it looks like Suunto has given it some thought, when in excercise mode, hold down the "next" button, you will enter a menu that has "Alti-Baro", "HR Limit's" and "Navigation."

From there you can select a way point to navigate to, but that is as close as you can get I guess?

I haven't looked at the mode, but I am guessing if you navigate to a point, it will at least show the heading you are on?

Buzz

[paduncan]

It's something I hadn't thought about, but it looks like Suunto has given it some thought, when in excercise mode, hold down the "next" button, you will enter a menu that has "Alti-Baro", "HR Limit's" and "Navigation."

From there you can select a way point to navigate to, but that is as close as you can get I guess?

I haven't looked at the mode, but I am guessing if you navigate to a point, it will at least show the heading you are on?

Buzz

Thanks for the suggestion...however, if that is the method then that is very lame. Heading should absolutely be a view without having to set a waypoint.

[buzz819]

AS I said, I haven't looked at it, so I don't know if that is the case, I'll go for a run today and have a look if you want?

Buzz

[pjc3]

I was in the exact same situation on the weekend. Took a wrong turn at a track junction and wanted to confirm i was heading in the wrong direction. As Buzz suggested the only way of getting any reading was to enter Navigation mode. Here you can either navigate to a given waypoint if you have one but no bearing other than to the waypoint is given. Alternatively you could mark a waypoint and see your GPS position changing with time and make the calculations. Either method is quite unsatisfactory. Another email to ambit@suunto is on the way.

[Lost-again]

You have a point, and a good one. As an ambit owner I'm aware of the issue. I agree this is a significant oversight since being able to follow a bearing while trecking is a core requirement, even if you are logging a move. However, don't let this distract from what is a great achievement with the Ambit. I would expect this to be fixed in a later release, but if not, it still does 90% of what I need which is more than most others. Suggest you make your voice known at ambit@suunto.com!

[paduncan]

You have a point, and a good one. As an ambit owner I'm aware of the issue. I agree this is a significant oversight since being able to follow a bearing while trecking is a core requirement, even if you are logging a move. However, don't let this distract from what is a great achievement with the Ambit. I would expect this to be fixed in a later release, but if not, it still does 90% of what I need which is more than most others. Suggest you make your voice known at ambit@suunto.com!

I am not sure I agree. Seriously, direction of travel (heading) is a KEY requirement for any GPS device. My Garmin 610 has this, as well as my car, my iphone, my hand held GPS systems, etc.

I think this is a significant miss on Suunto's part.

[Lost-again]

Not sure I'm arguing the point, I agree. However, when I'm out in the mountains and I need a bearing, I put a compass on the map and measure a bearing, you cannot do ths with a watch. I tend to follow the bearing on the mannual magnetic compass rather than the watch, hence why I say it is not a big issue for me. I mostly use the gps for a spot "where am I" and this is available when logging a move, so ok for me. Although, I would still like to see it fixed as it is a useful feature.

[buzz819]

It does have it, just not in exercise mode, which again shows that Suunto has not let the GPS side of the watch talk to the Fitness side of the watch, a bit silly.

Buzz

[paduncan]

It does have it, just not in exercise mode, which again shows that Suunto has not let the GPS side of the watch talk to the Fitness side of the watch, a bit silly.

Buzz

Actually it should give you the option:

When under x mph, use compass for heading. When over x mph use GPS for heading. Then make this a view in all of the exercise modes.