Suunto Vector vs Casio PRW2500T

[Si22461]

Hello, does anyone have experience with the Suunto Vector vs Casio PRW2500T? What are the pro's and con's of each watch? I am going to buy a new watch and I am trying to decide between these two.

Thanks! Doug

[Sedi]

I have a Suunto X-Lander which has the same module as the Vector. And I have two Pathfinders - the PAW-500T and the PRW-1200. The biggest difference in functionality is the missing MSLP (mean sea level pressure) on the Pathfinders. The Casios can only display absolute pressure which can make the calibration a bit more difficult. But you can reach almost the same amount of precision of the altimeter if you make use of the logging feature on the Protrek. The advantage of having MSLP is that you can recalibrate the watch by either using the current altitude (the watch then calculates MSLP) or the current MSLP (which is the meteorological standard - if you programm it into the watch it will then calibrate the current altitude with a precision of +/-15m). On the Protreks it's a bit more complicated - especially if the weather changes over night - in that case you need to know the elevation of the place you're in - or the elevation when you arrived there in case the weather was stable during your trip (by using the logging feature for example). So if you really need the altimeter function "in the field" I think the Vector is the better choice. But both are equally useless if you have quickly changing weather while ascending/descending.
Some more differences:
- the alarms on the X-Lander are very weak and last only 3 seconds
- the compass on the Protrek freezes when you use the illumination while on the Vector you can use the compass with illumination
- the Vector has a "night mode" - when you illuminate the LCD it stays lit as long as you're pressing buttons - very useful for setting the watch in the dark
- Protrek has more alarms but the PRW-2500 has only a 60 min timer - the Vector has 24 hr timer and stopwatch
For more info check out the manuals:
Suunto Vector Black | Suunto
http://ftp.casio.co.jp/pub/world_man.../en/qw3258.pdf

cheers, Sedi

[copperjohn]

I have a pathfinder. Love it. Had a Vector. It was okay. Can't use the bezel, not that you need it. But more importantly, the "crystal". It's a soft plastic. I got a deep scratch in first week, and you can't polywatch it out. It's soft, like a toy wrapper plastic

Just a critique. I'm not an expert on either one.