Suunto Training Manager Software?

Triathlon Forum
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For those using it, which version do you have? The software version that came on my install disc is 1.3.3, but I see upgrades available. I’m wondering if I should download upgrades…but I’m seeing some indications that people might have issues with drivers and Vista (which I’m running), should I just leave well enough alone and not upgrade the software? Right now, things run smooth and I’ve had no issues…hate to bring on trouble. But, I’m wondering, for those with a newer version, are there advantages with it or just tweaks with to eliminate previous bugs…and did you have trouble upgrading…if you did?

Also, how much do you use the EPOC value in training? Do you find it to be fairly accurate and useful? I’m very familiar with the Polar software and I almost have a feeling that the Suunto gives you better feedback on performance in terms of learning from it and making adjustments in training.

Thanks!

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this is completely not the answer you’re looking for but do you like your suunto? I have a crappy sigma HR monitor and would like something i can download to the computer and track.

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this is completely not the answer you’re looking for but do you like your suunto? I have a crappy sigma HR monitor and would like something i can download to the computer and track.

Well, I’m not sure I can give you a very constructive answer as I’m about to do my 3rd workout with it…so, not a lot of time spent using it.

However…here are initial thoughts comparing it to my 720i, which I’ve used for the last 4+ years, it’s got some advantages and disadvantages. Some of the disadvantages are bells and whistles I didn’t use before anyway. Polars intervals seemed more complex to program and work. Advantages are that the Suunto appears more user friendly so I might actually use some of the bells and whistles I didn’t before with the Polar…I’ve already played with the interval setting on a long trainer ride yesterday.
Downside to the Suunto, the bell tone is VERY soft. Almost non existent. But, I like the reading on the front. I get overall accumulated time and below it, the interval time which is counting down. I like that set up for planning nutrition on the bike for IM’s. Good visual even if you miss the “beep”.

Connecting it to the computer, I had the wireless sensor for the polar and it was a pain at times and didn’t always work great…probably operator error. I love the cable for the Suunto. I’ts not wireless but it’s quick and easy and a no brainer on the connection. I prefer it over the Polar connection.

I’ve seen complaints about the menu options and programming the watch. I’ve had no problem learning and navigating the menu. Having worked with the Polar, they’re similar…the Suunto has an enter button on the side, where Polar used the big red button on front. Many of the paths to get to things are the same between both. Possibly that helped my learning curve. But the screen direction and reading on the face of Suunto does seem to be more clear and easier.

I’m just getting a feel for the new software. I’m in comparison mode with the Polar so it’s different and a change…I’m trying to keep an open mind and not let the changes appear to be negative. The Polar software might be more user friendly…but I have a hunch, the Suunto might be better for training…especially with that EPOC data.

There have not been a lot of nice things said about the HR strap for the Suunto. So far mine paired up and has worked great! I love the instant feedback with no delay. I’m fairly small and the Suunto strap also feels better on me than either of the Polars (I had both, the plain one and the newer, mostly fabric, one…it looked like a third boob on me with the thicker middle sensor). The Suunto is more discreet.
I’ve seen complaints regarding sweat penetrating the battery compartment and killing the strap. I’m trying to be careful with it post workout. Rinse it and dry quickly. Hopefully I’ll have no troubles.

I gotta be honest. I think it’s over priced. I was able to get a really good deal on one through a coupon at Interbike. If I hadn’t had that, not sure I would say the watch was worth the value…only because no HR watch should cost that much today with what they do with electronics and such. IMHO.

Hope that helps. I picked up the GPS pod and road bike Pod but have yet to use either…but I like the watch overall.

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The epoc is a reasonable measure of training stress with a few caveats. The biggest being that the epoc calculation literally wont change for steady state efforts over 90 minutes. So a 6 hour easy ride counts for the same as a 2 hour easy ride. If you are doing ironman training and using the epoc numbers to guide your training - you might make some bad decisions.

The other is that the epoc calculations suffer from the same issues as any other heart rate based measure. That is, susceptibility to high or low readings due to heat or emotional state, that’s more of a race day thing.

The software takes a guess at your fitness level and then provides estimates of how much epoc you need to get better and how much would be overdoing it. This is very similar to PHil Skiba’s ranking of whatsort of GOVSS readings do what and how long it might take to recover. Also similar to Steve Friederang’s software that recommends a weekly load of swim stress for swimmers. The difference with the suunto software is that based on your training history it tells will change the recommended EPOC numbers. I have no idea how it decides whether to move you up or down. But it definitely will. It has oved me down twice in2 weeks.

I am currently compiling data to see if epoc gives a different conclusion in performance modeling than TRIMPS does. My hunch is that for sprint and olympic distance racing it would work just fine in practice.

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Kevin, thanks for the feedback. Interesting about the longer training sessions not being recognized, or factored in appropriately. Did you discover that through a pattern in training or was it written up in their info? Either way, I’ll keep that in mind.

Trying to search out a more in depth manual that might go into the use of the epoc and training I found the Firstbeat Technologies site. They appear to be the driving force behind the epoc data. I didn’t find a better manual but I do see they offer software alternatives. I’d be curious to see where the Suunto one falls in with the Athlete and Pro versions.
http://www.firstbeattechnologies.com/index.php?page=3

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The t6 manual says explicitly that long easy workouts over an hour don’t get big epoc values.

also, you can open to epoc calculator set h, vary the time over 90 minutes and you’ll the see epoc bar doesn’t move.

There are ot in depth manuals to be found, on the suunto site the pamphlet “how not to rely on luck” is pretyt inormative. As for firstbeat tech, looks like every featur from the firstbeat athlete in the performance manager and the team manager is like the firstbeat team.

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The t6 manual says explicitly that long easy workouts over an hour don’t get big epoc values.

also, you can open to epoc calculator set h, vary the time over 90 minutes and you’ll the see epoc bar doesn’t move.

There are ot in depth manuals to be found, on the suunto site the pamphlet “how not to rely on luck” is pretyt inormative. As for firstbeat tech, looks like every featur from the firstbeat athlete in the performance manager and the team manager is like the firstbeat team.

Disappointing on the limit set for the EPOC and longer work outs.

Kevin, I’ve checked out the Suunto manuals online. Much more in depth than the books that came with the software but I was hoping for some balance between how to use the data and explaining it…both in more detail.

In my searches this morning, I found this, http://users.telenet.be/...nt.htm#_Toc111536266

It may be useful…or information overload.