Not Happy with the X9i GPS

[yachtscape]

I guess I am not savy enough but I own 2 X9i watches, one I have wore for about 2 weeks and the other new in the box. My plan was to leave one on the boat to wear full time while cruising the gulf coast and the other one is for my son while fishing offshore, unfortunately his is still in the orginial box. The GPS loses satellites when I get in and out of the car or the cabin of the boat. Can anyone give me any advise? I am ready to sell these off if I cannot get them to function when I need them. Help.........

	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.

[ejunge]

The reason that you are losing satellites is (as I understand it) is:
The X9, in order to meet the size requirements of a watch sized GPS has done away with the traditional Atomic Clock radio, that most GPS units have. (All a GPS does is compare different time stamps form several satellites in order to calculate the differences among them and thus fix your position- grossly oversimplified but good enough for now). This is why the X9 takes a while to get a position fix when you haven't used it for a while or have moved a distance. Second the GPS has a relatively small, low power antennae, that is basically a wire loop that circles the LCD face of the watch. These two items were in order to meet the design requirements of having a watch sized GPS unit..

Okay. So that means that , like all GPS units, you get reduced reception when you venture indoors, and the GPS does not get a clear view of the sky. I even notice it when I go into a tent or under tree cover..

So all of this means nothing if you cannot use the GPS function of the watch.. So here are some suggestions.. Set the watch to update at intervals, like every minute, or better every hour. The GPS functions use a lot more power than the traditional watch functions, so if you need to duck inside to get lunch or a soda when out on the boat, you can update once you return topside. If you need to take a manual reading or to mark a waypoint, just use the GPS in manual mode.

Be realistic in what you expect (and please do not think that I am implying that you are not being realistic). I would not use my X9 to navigate while I am driving. I want a GPS with a graphic interface and and with constant updates.. My X9 is my GPS that I use with traditional navigational aides such as a Map and compass and UTM Card. It is another tool, not my primary source of navigation. When I am driving I use a GPS that is designed for that, when I go into the Gulf on my Dad's boat, I use a GPS that is outfitted with navigational markers, when I go geocaching I use a handheld GPS with a graphic interface, but when I am get stuck somewhere, and need to rely on a GPS to get me out of trouble, I rely on my X9- primarily because it is my constant companion..

Your X9 really is a great watch, but it IS designed to be a watch first, and as such, Suunto has made some very deliberate design compromises. Keep your X9 and continue to play with it, You will find that it is incredibly useful once you get used to the quirks.. I don't want to discourage you, but I would tell you use your X9 as a backup device and that a boat navigation with Navigation markers is a better choice for Cruising around the gulf in a cabin cruiser or even a Fishing boat, or a vehicle navigations system with a graphic interface is better for when you are driving in your car.

So as I tell you all of this you are probably disenchanted as you might have had completely different expectations, but I genuinely love my X9.

Hope that this helps

Kirby

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

	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.

[yachtscape]

Thank you for all your help, I appreciate it. Since your post I have been working on the your suggestions and I have decided that this watch is just too much for me to handle. I have decided to sell them off, if anyone is interested please contact me. I believe this is more suited for a much younger mind. Thanks

[Adam]

Hi, Yachtmaster -

For how much would be willing to sell one of them?

Also, does anyone know if this would be a good watch for geotagging photographs? If so, how exactly would that be done?

Thanks!
Adam