X9Mi : an improvement of X9i ?

[stan]

Hi

I have found a site on which it was specified that X9MI has "a new reception mode" ; moreover "the average life of the battery has greatly grown".

http://www.sport-tiedje.fr/suunto/sp...uunto_x9mi.htm
(in french or german only)



Is that true ?

	Suunto X9Mi - Click for more info The Suunto X9M/i ("Military") is a new version of Suunto's incredible X9i Global Positioning System wristop computer, designed specifically for Military professionals looking for the ultimate field watch. The array of functions offered with a Suunto X9i GPS watch is still there in the X9M/i, but with some added features that make this watch even more valuable to our friends in the Military, both at home and abroad.

[Janice]

New reception mode" probably refers to new firmware - which is the inner software wiring of the watch; which increases reception ability and range so it lasts longer and stays stronger.

Life of the battery is still 4-6 hours for a continuous (1sec) GPS fix rate. The previous X9s had shaky battery usage and these X9is will consistently stay alive for 4-6 hours with the GPS on.

	Suunto X9i - Click for more info Introducing the Suunto X9i - the new and improved version of the Suunto's X9, voted "Best Product of 2004" by Fortune Magazine. Now available in two colors, the X9i combines GPS functionality with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer ... all these instruments, packed into a single watch.

[stan]

But X9MI GPS is better than X9I GPS or it is the same chipset of reception ?

Moreover, what about the integration of a SIRFIII chipset in X9 models ?

	Suunto X9Mi - Click for more info The Suunto X9M/i ("Military") is a new version of Suunto's incredible X9i Global Positioning System wristop computer, designed specifically for Military professionals looking for the ultimate field watch. The array of functions offered with a Suunto X9i GPS watch is still there in the X9M/i, but with some added features that make this watch even more valuable to our friends in the Military, both at home and abroad.

	Suunto X9i - Click for more info Introducing the Suunto X9i - the new and improved version of the Suunto's X9, voted "Best Product of 2004" by Fortune Magazine. Now available in two colors, the X9i combines GPS functionality with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer ... all these instruments, packed into a single watch.

[Janice]

Both watches are identical in GPS function, reception and software. The only difference is a different unit setting in the compass of the X9Mi and asthetic features like color and a red backlight on the X9Mi.

I do not know anything about a SIRFIII chipset or even what it is. I contacted Suunto directly, and my contact person did not know either.

	Suunto Visit SuuntoWatches.com to see Suunto's full line of wrist top computers and compasses.

	Suunto X9Mi - Click for more info The Suunto X9M/i ("Military") is a new version of Suunto's incredible X9i Global Positioning System wristop computer, designed specifically for Military professionals looking for the ultimate field watch. The array of functions offered with a Suunto X9i GPS watch is still there in the X9M/i, but with some added features that make this watch even more valuable to our friends in the Military, both at home and abroad.

	Suunto X9i - Click for more info Introducing the Suunto X9i - the new and improved version of the Suunto's X9, voted "Best Product of 2004" by Fortune Magazine. Now available in two colors, the X9i combines GPS functionality with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer ... all these instruments, packed into a single watch.

	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.

[Mike H.]

Definitely a much more reliable battery in the X9Mi.

	Suunto X9Mi - Click for more info The Suunto X9M/i ("Military") is a new version of Suunto's incredible X9i Global Positioning System wristop computer, designed specifically for Military professionals looking for the ultimate field watch. The array of functions offered with a Suunto X9i GPS watch is still there in the X9M/i, but with some added features that make this watch even more valuable to our friends in the Military, both at home and abroad.

[bluf98]

Originally Posted by stan

But X9MI GPS is better than X9I GPS or it is the same chipset of reception ?

Moreover, what about the integration of a SIRFIII chipset in X9 models ?

Hi Stan,
Have you ever visited the Suuntosports.com forums?

You could read my comments on: that forum
Facit: Still 12 channelchip, thus not a Sirfstar3 (20ch.).

Although Suunto officially states 3 improvements (Reception, MGRS position & Batt.life) of "i" over 1st X9, the latter has really changed dramatically for the better. Reception wins some (speedier satellite pickup/locking & weak signal tracking improved), but looses some too (satelite tracking "stamina" (looses signals faster!) and as a result the track accuracy deteriorates under sub-optimal reception environments. MGRS nice if you're a soldier?!

Besides, a few features were even skipped on the "i":
- No temp graph & temp memory, only both for baro pressure
- No 3d Compass calibration, only 2D (less accuracy?)
- less GPS tuning settings and less calibration prefs (temp set gone too), to make watch easier to understand for targetuser (=advanced GPS knowledge but not expert only), but maybe Suunto needed the freed up memory space for GPS optimalisations too like more active tracking of sats?!
- read this
- read this2

Cheers, Robert-Paul

PS You must become a free member of www.suuntosports.com first and than subscribe to the 'X9i User's Group' under Communities to be able to read these 3 links!
Subscribing is easy: Under "SEARCH FOR COMMUNITIES" type in X9i and subscribe to this Group. When logged in and subscribed to this community you CAN directly click on the 3 links without searching through the non-userfriendly forumfunctionality.

	Suunto Visit SuuntoWatches.com to see Suunto's full line of wrist top computers and compasses.

	Suunto X9Mi - Click for more info The Suunto X9M/i ("Military") is a new version of Suunto's incredible X9i Global Positioning System wristop computer, designed specifically for Military professionals looking for the ultimate field watch. The array of functions offered with a Suunto X9i GPS watch is still there in the X9M/i, but with some added features that make this watch even more valuable to our friends in the Military, both at home and abroad.

	Suunto X9i - Click for more info Introducing the Suunto X9i - the new and improved version of the Suunto's X9, voted "Best Product of 2004" by Fortune Magazine. Now available in two colors, the X9i combines GPS functionality with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer ... all these instruments, packed into a single watch.

	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.

[bluf98]

FYI, I owned/tested 3 X9(M)'s and 2 X9Mi's.
Currently owning the last X9Mi

	Suunto X9Mi - Click for more info The Suunto X9M/i ("Military") is a new version of Suunto's incredible X9i Global Positioning System wristop computer, designed specifically for Military professionals looking for the ultimate field watch. The array of functions offered with a Suunto X9i GPS watch is still there in the X9M/i, but with some added features that make this watch even more valuable to our friends in the Military, both at home and abroad.

	Suunto X9i - Click for more info Introducing the Suunto X9i - the new and improved version of the Suunto's X9, voted "Best Product of 2004" by Fortune Magazine. Now available in two colors, the X9i combines GPS functionality with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer ... all these instruments, packed into a single watch.

[Mike H.]

Originally Posted by bluf98

FYI, I owned/tested 3 X9(M)'s and 2 X9Mi's.
Currently owning the last X9Mi

May I ask, are you satisfied with the performance of your X9Mi or will you avoid using it in favor of a different watch?

I just recieved mine about 1 week ago and I haven't had the opportunity to "play" with it but I've heard it is quite an excellent military digital.

Thanks.

	Suunto X9Mi - Click for more info The Suunto X9M/i ("Military") is a new version of Suunto's incredible X9i Global Positioning System wristop computer, designed specifically for Military professionals looking for the ultimate field watch. The array of functions offered with a Suunto X9i GPS watch is still there in the X9M/i, but with some added features that make this watch even more valuable to our friends in the Military, both at home and abroad.

	Suunto X9i - Click for more info Introducing the Suunto X9i - the new and improved version of the Suunto's X9, voted "Best Product of 2004" by Fortune Magazine. Now available in two colors, the X9i combines GPS functionality with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer ... all these instruments, packed into a single watch.

[bluf98]

Yes, given its small footprint it is a great product. Over time I learned to make use of the impressive characteristics (including shortcomings) of these watches very efficiently.
Reception is more than acceptable if you plan ahead and are not in a hurry. But hey, you can take this GPS with you unnoticed like a normal watch instead of dragging around a dedicated GPS at least twice the X9 size like a Garmin Forerunner305 which is - for my taste - ugly and bulky too, but the 305 does hold the much better SirfstarIII state of art GPSreceiver...
This might be interesting info for you.
Tip: You must become a free member of www.suuntosports.com first and than subscribe to the 'X9i User's Group' under Communities to be able to read it!
Subscribing is easy: Under "SEARCH FOR COMMUNITIES" type in X9i and subscribe to this Group. When logged in and subscribed to this community you CAN directly click on the "info" link.

And this site too. It holds a great guidebook for the X9(i) user.
Robert.

	Suunto X9i - Click for more info Introducing the Suunto X9i - the new and improved version of the Suunto's X9, voted "Best Product of 2004" by Fortune Magazine. Now available in two colors, the X9i combines GPS functionality with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer ... all these instruments, packed into a single watch.

[Mike H.]

Thanks Robert! Very much appreciate the info.