[Bergund]

What - no countdown timer? The reasons for not "upgrading" from my 6-7 years old Vector keep piling up. The Observer:

-has no countdown timer
-has no bubble to ensure accurate compass reading
-has a hardly audible alarm - useless to wake you up at 4 am in a wind-blown tent
-does not have an altitude difference mode - you need to use the logbook or memorize the starting altitude/time if you want to track changes.

And how about the mineral crystal scratchproof face? My old Vector does have a lot of scratches but it has not reduced the readability of those big, crystal clear digits. Mostly a cosmetic issue.

So I guess the only real advantages of the Observer is:
-small size
-better waterproofing
-looks cool
-99 lap memory of the stopwatch
-stopwatch minutes and seconds shows in the largest display line

Think I will stick to my Vector until they come up with a smaller one - hopefully they won't remove the bubble level. And display the stopwatch in the central line - for better readability when running. And an even louder alarm.

	Suunto Vector - Click for more info Suunto's original Wristop Computer, the Vector changed the face of sport watches forever with its groundbreaking combination of features, including an altimeter, barometer, electronic compass, digital log book, and watch. Introduced in 1998, the Vector was the first watch to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest. In addition, the Vector won the prestigious European Outdoor Award - Product of the Year in 1999/2000.

	Suunto Observer - Click for more info The shock-resistant Suunto Observer is a tool built for outdoor challenges, but its timeless design makes it wearable in any situation. The Observer is 1/3 smaller in both diameter and width than the first generation Suunto Watches (Vector, Altimax, etc). It also features a chronograph, which previously was only offered in the Navitech but is now discontinued.

	Compass Compasses are sensitive, absolutely crucial instruments to precision navigation. The earth's magnetic field, inclination, and your longitude and latitude all influence the horizontal plane of a compass needle. As a result, compasses are balanced for different geographical zones. Suunto Compasses overcome this limitation to traditional compasses by using a simple 'Two Zone System'. With a Suunto Compass, the only 'balancing zones' are the northern and southern hemispheres. In addition to this innovation, certain Suunto Compasses come equipped with useful features like luminous needles and marks, centimeter/inch scales, magnifying glasses, clinometers, sighting notches, and more.