Compare Suunto Vertical 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 170

Contactless payments were a clear missing feature and one reviewer explicitly docked the product for no tap-to-pay wallet.

Garmin Pay is a useful convenience and a key reason to choose the 170 over the 70. Its value depends on bank support and whether buyers can justify the price premium.

The app ecosystem was a weakness relative to Garmin, with reviewers calling out a lack of deeper training ecosystem or rich smart features.

Garmin’s training ecosystem is repeatedly praised as polished and deep, with strong analysis, coaching, and device integration.

Safety features were mixed: the flashlight helped, but one reviewer criticized the lack of a true SOS function.

LiveTrack and location-sharing tools are valuable at this price, though live tracking still depends on carrying a connected phone.

Materials quality was praised through the metal casing and sapphire-glass construction.

The fiber-reinforced plastic keeps weight down but does not feel luxurious, and the glass is below sapphire or premium Gorilla Glass standards.

Onboard music storage was repeatedly criticized or marked absent, with reviewers noting no offline music despite the available storage.

The Music model supports useful phone-free playback and major streaming services. Reviewers like the feature but criticize the extra cost and unchanged storage capacity.

The flashlight was widely considered useful or even essential, but several reviewers criticized early software behavior, access flow, or clunky controls.

A built-in flashlight is missing. Reviewers did not expect it at this tier, but several still considered its absence disappointing.

Charging speed was acceptable rather than impressive, with one reviewer calling the roughly 90-minute charge adequate but not great.

Charging is quick, reaching a full charge in roughly 65 minutes and providing a substantial top-up in about 20 minutes.

Mapping and navigation were usually praised for clear, useful offline maps and route guidance, but reviewers noted setup friction, manual toggles, route limits, or Garmin’s easier experience.

Breadcrumb routes are usable for familiar roads, but the absence of offline or topographic maps is a major limitation for trails, hiking, and exploration.

Size options were a weakness because one reviewer specifically criticized the single-size approach.

The compact single case works well for many smaller wrists, but buyers who need multiple case sizes have no alternative.

Companion app quality was mixed: several reviewers liked its clean, digestible dashboard, but others found it less glanceable, overloaded, or inconsistent in background syncing.

Garmin Connect remains free, easy to use, and effective for reviewing workouts and daily activity.

Wi-Fi connectivity was mainly discussed through map downloads, where reviewers ran into a fiddly process or setup failures.

Wi-Fi is useful for downloading music on the Music model. The standard model lacks it, but reviewers found Bluetooth phone syncing adequate for normal use.

Calorie estimates were questioned by one reviewer, who said the watch tended to overestimate calories burned.

Calorie estimates stayed within about ten percent of a chest-strap comparison, which reviewers considered reasonably useful.

Menu navigation was mixed: reviewers liked the clearer flow, but some found the touch-centric interface or long scrolling awkward.

The refreshed Garmin interface makes menus smoother and faster to move through than on earlier entry-level models.

Smartwatch features were considered limited; reviewers treated the watch as an outdoor tool rather than a full everyday smartwatch.

The 170 offers payments, notifications, optional music, and apps, but it remains a training watch first and lacks the breadth of Apple or Samsung smartwatches.

Music controls were serviceable to good for phone playback, but reviewers framed them as limited controls rather than a full music experience.

On-wrist music control is convenient during runs and contributes to the Music model’s beginner-friendly appeal.

Comfort was mixed: reviewers often found it wearable or balanced for its size, but the heavy, bulky case was a recurring caveat.

The compact 41 g design is widely praised for all-day, sleep, and long-run comfort. One reviewer warned that the plastic rear casing may irritate sensitive skin during prolonged wear.

Battery life was the strongest point of agreement: reviewers repeatedly called it class-leading or excellent for AMOLED, with a few real-world caveats versus claims.

Battery opinions depend heavily on settings: raise-to-wake users often approach a week, while always-on users commonly report about three to four days. It trails the cheaper Forerunner 70 and several rivals.

Coaching features were useful for structured progress, though one advanced pacing feature was less convenient because it required a chest strap.

Garmin Coach, Training Status, adaptive plans, and Quick Workouts give beginners and regular runners unusually strong guidance. Quick Workout targets can be aggressive and its duration options may feel restrictive.

Touchscreen responsiveness was mostly positive, but reviewers noted wet-screen confusion and occasional lag.

The touchscreen is responsive without feeling overly sensitive, while physical buttons remain available for workouts.

Notification handling was mixed: alerts could arrive reliably, but reviewers repeatedly noted read-only limits, short previews, no images, or reduced iPhone behavior.

Notifications are useful for daily wear, but one tester found the buzzing overly reactive during workouts.

Reliability evidence was limited but positive, centered on performance data, durability, and route reliability.

Road-running performance is dependable enough for several reviewers to use it as a primary training watch. Reliability becomes more mixed in dense forest, steep terrain, and technical hiking.

GPS accuracy was one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly calling land-based tracking accurate, rock-solid, spot-on, or near-perfect.

Most testers found all-systems GPS impressively close to multi-band reference watches on roads and open routes. Dense canopy, steep terrain, and technical trails produced drift or corner cutting for at least one long-term tester.

Watch-face quality was generally liked, especially the clear default face and useful data, though one review noted dim-state readability issues elsewhere.

Report themes add playful personalization, but the default progress-bar watch face can feel frustrating because its goals rarely align.

Button controls were broadly praised for glove use and tactile feedback, though some reviewers still preferred a crown or different interface logic.

Five physical buttons are a major usability strength, especially during runs, with gloves, or when sweaty hands make touch controls awkward.

Recovery insights were generally useful, with reviewers saying advice or training-state feedback aligned with how they felt and helped track progress.

Training Readiness, Training Status, HRV, load, and recovery guidance are the watch’s most consistently praised upgrades. They make the 170 useful well beyond beginner-level run tracking.

Third-party app support was positive where discussed, especially clean syncing with Strava, TrainingPeaks, and health-app workflows.

Connect IQ supports major services such as Spotify and YouTube Music plus a wide range of community apps and widgets.

Fit was generally secure when adjusted correctly, but reviewers stressed that sensor accuracy and stability depend on placement.

The 43 mm case fit testers securely and should suit many wrists, although the single-size design may not be ideal for everyone.

Build quality was repeatedly described as intentional, solid, tank-like, and suited to hard outdoor use.

The lightweight plastic case feels sturdy and better finished than older entry models. It avoids feeling cheap, even if it lacks premium materials.

Value for money was generally positive because the watch delivers strong outdoor performance at less than some Garmin rivals, though some reviewers flagged competition and higher titanium pricing.

The base 170 offers a strong blend of training analysis, accuracy, and smart features. Value is less convincing beside the cheaper Forerunner 70, Coros Pace 4, discounted Forerunner 165, or the expensive Music upgrade.

Brightness was strongly praised, with reviewers emphasizing the 2,000-nit output and easy readability in bright conditions.

The AMOLED is consistently described as bright enough for everyday and outdoor use, though it is not Garmin’s brightest panel.

Band quality was mostly positive for softness and security, though reviewers also noted fiddly clasps, stiffness, or awkward break-in.

The silicone strap is soft, stretchy, and easy to replace, while the 170’s metal clasp feels nicer than the cheaper model’s plastic hardware.

Wellness insights were seen as meaningful but fairly lean, especially the Resources-style daily energy framing.

Body Battery, HRV, sleep guidance, Health Status, and lifestyle logging create a broad wellness package that supports recovery as well as training.

Sports tracking was described as solid overall, with accuracy tied to GPS performance and getting the watch fit right.

Overall workout tracking impressed testers, with strong agreement between the watch and trusted comparison devices in controlled runs.

The user interface was viewed as more intuitive than earlier Suunto releases, though evidence was limited.

The updated UI is polished and easier to use, with quick access to settings and rich data. New Garmin users may still find the menu depth intimidating.

Sleep tracking drew mixed feedback: several reviewers found it accurate or improved, but others noted hit-or-miss results, missed wake periods, or quirks.

Sleep tracking produced conflicting results: one tester found it close to trusted wearables, while another found REM and deep-sleep estimates inaccurate.

Heart-rate accuracy was mixed-positive: many reviewers saw accurate or much-improved readings, while others reported startup wobble, high-intensity drift, fit sensitivity, or inconsistent results.

Steady running and treadmill readings usually tracked closely to chest straps. Rapid intervals, strength work, steep climbs, and some trail sessions exposed lag from the older sensor.

Outdoor visibility was excellent across the evidence, especially in sun, low light, and map use.

The AMOLED remains clear outdoors and is easy to glance at during runs, even though brighter flagship panels exist.

Durability evidence was strong, with reviewers reporting protective construction, resistance to scratches, and a solid feel after rough use.

Despite its low weight and plastic build, the watch is considered sturdy enough for regular training and daily wear.

The operating system experience was praised as fast and efficient in the available review evidence.

Garmin’s newer OS looks more polished, feels more modern, and aligns the watch with higher-end Forerunners.

Display quality was one of the strongest positives, with reviewers repeatedly praising the AMOLED screen as bright, sharp, vibrant, clean, and modern.

The 1.2-inch AMOLED is colorful, sharp, and easy to read while moving. It is not as fluid or premium as flagship smartwatch displays, but testers still rate it highly.

Software smoothness was much improved versus older Suunto models, with reviewers calling the UI faster, smoother, and more responsive.

The refreshed software is faster, more polished, and easier to adjust before a run, with useful hidden settings and widgets.

Style and design were praised as rugged, sleek, good-looking, and more refined than earlier models.

Reviewers like the compact proportions, colorful two-tone options, and modern AMOLED look. The plastic construction keeps it sporty rather than luxurious.

Workout variety was a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly praising the very broad set of sport modes and activity profiles.

More than 80 sport profiles make the watch versatile for running, cycling, gym work, swimming, and outdoor activities. The main gap is a dedicated triathlon or multisport mode.

Customization was praised for watch-face and data flexibility, with reviewers appreciating how much the display could be tailored.

Data layouts, swappable bands, report themes, and vibration patterns give the watch a pleasing level of personalization.

Blood oxygen evidence was limited but positive, tied to a redesigned sensor that improved stability during demanding outdoor use.

Pulse Ox is considered a meaningful upgrade over the previous entry-level generation and adds depth to overnight health monitoring.

Temperature-related capability is valued for cycle tracking, but reviewers also note that Garmin reserves some skin-temperature features for more expensive models.

The watch cannot take calls from the wrist because it lacks a microphone and speaker, limiting its appeal as a full smartwatch.

Charging convenience was a major improvement, with reviewers praising the stronger magnetic charger, better clip, and reliable connection.

Cross-platform compatibility had an iPhone caveat, with one reviewer noting reduced notification and response behavior when paired to iOS.

ECG is not available on the Forerunner 170, and reviewers note that buyers must move to a pricier Garmin to get it.

Reviewers found the broader health metrics generally usable, with one calling the data accurate enough and another seeing solid performance across navigation, sleep, and heart-rate measurements.

Pairing and sync reliability was split: one reviewer had no connection or syncing issues, while another found background activity inconsistent.

Wrist-based running power and dynamics bring advanced training metrics to a relatively affordable watch and are strongly praised.

Step counting had a minor accuracy concern, with one reviewer saying the watch frequently overcounted steps.

There is no onboard voice assistant because the watch lacks a microphone and speaker.

Water resistance evidence was positive but limited, with one reviewer calling it fully waterproof and happy in the pool.