Suunto Vector - Aiming High Since 1998
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By the middle of 1990, Suunto was considered as a remarkable diving instrument manufacturer. The shape and size of the first dive computer, Suunto Spyder, was well suited for use on land as well. A dive computer that fits on your wrist, combined with an electronic compass and atmospheric pressure measurement, provided the foundation for Suunto's next market conquest, and proved to be much more significant than was first realized. The newcomer was to be named Suunto Vector.
"This opportunity was unique. We were given a free hand to create an entirely new product from a clean sheet", explains Tapio Savolainen, who, together with his team, played an important role in launching one of Suunto's most successful product groups, the Outdoor category.
Hiking, climbing, and off-piste skiing all share one common feature - in order to practice them safely, the enthusiast needs accurate, real-time information about the environment.
The design and user interface development process of Suunto Vector saw a continuous dialogue between the engineers, designers, and end users. The engineers explained what was technically feasible, and outdoor enthusiasts expressed their wishes. The dialogue led to the clear logic of Suunto Vector's user interface that makes it a real forerunner on the mountain. The technical and customer-oriented approaches blended to give a highly successful outcome.
Suunto Vector measures vertical performance; the altimeter features a range up to 9,000 m, which puts all 14 of the world's 8000+ meter summits within the avid climber's range. It also features an adjustable altitude alarm, as well as different levels of memory functions. The user-configurable logbook allows the user to record total and cumulative vertical ascents and descents, as well as the number of runs skied. The Suunto Vector was the first watch to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest!
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Further to the watch and compass functions, the barometer function of the Vector keeps the hiker and mountaineer one step ahead of any storm. In addition to current barometric pressure and temperature, Suunto Vector gives pressure-related data for the past four days: the first six hours in one hour intervals, and after that in six hour intervals. The instrument is also adjustable for sea level pressure, which makes it easier to read and understand barometric pressure at high altitudes.
The new wristop computer was launched in 1988 and was a great success from the very beginning, its desirable appearance and ease of use also contributing to the winning formula. The Suunto Vector was named Product of the Year in 1999/2000 by the European Outdoor Award.
Eight years after its introduction, Suunto Vector is still doing well, bringing benefits and joy to many thousands of people in their outdoor pursuits. The newest colors - pink and burgundy - add a trendy new flavor to the range.
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