Whether you’re running mountain trails or on a treadmill, having a high-performance watch on your wrist makes it easier to keep track of your runs and fitness goals.  And a great place to start would be the Suunto Ambit2 R, the latest GPS watch to arrive in Malaysia.

The Ambit2 R is a running-focused watch which comes as a derivative of the Ambit2 line that was introduced earlier this year. The watch can be used to track distance, pace, cadence, routes and overall fitness. There's an in-built GPS which provides elevation data for hikes, even a 3D compass for navigating routes while exploring new trails or roads.

In terms of design, this reasonably slim watch weighs in at about 70g, with a diameter of 50mm and band thickness of 15.5mm. The silicone band feels soft to the touch, and comes with two straps to prevent the excess from floating around.



Most of the bulk comes from the watchface, which features a glassfiber casing comprised of reinforced polyamide that protects the mineral crystal lens display. The metallic function buttons located on the sides (two on the left, three on the right) offer just the right amount of resistance to make it easy to switch in between features.



To start an activity, tap the 'Start/Stop' button before selecting the exercise of your choice by using the top-right and top-left buttons to switch, and the middle 'Next' button to select. Holding down the 'Next' button brings up the options menu where you can personalize your stats. You can exit any of these features by tapping the 'Back/Lap' button.

After selecting an exercise, the unit will attempt to detect a satellite and you can start recording your run. Tap the 'Start/Stop' button to pause during breaks, or tap the 'Back/Lap' button after you're done to stop and save your progress. It will then display a handful of summary pages, including your total distance and recovery time, as well as paces and splits for laps.

For visibility during night runs, press down the 'Light/Lock' button (below-right) to activate the backlight. You can also set this to automatically turn off after a specified number of seconds or have it stay on. To invert the display (white text on black background), simply hold down the 'View' button (below-left) for a few seconds.

The Ambit2 R can also be worn as a day-to-day watch by turning the GPS off, giving it approximately 15 days of battery life. Its also waterproof for up to 50m, making it perfect for other activities like swimming and snorkeling.

All this might take some getting used to, but when compared to other sportswatches on the market, the simplicity and usefulness makes the Ambit2 R the perfect starter sportswatch for those eager to keep track of their running performance.



And the best way to do this is by signing up for an account on Movescount.com.  The site provides things like specialized apps, training programs and the ability to share fitness progress with other members of the Movescount community. First time users will have to sign up for a free account and install the official Moveslink application to download the apps and routes.




Each Ambit2 R pack includes a quick guide manual, limited warranty, and a special USB cable for charging and synching with your computer. There's also the option of adding on the Suunto ANT Heart Rate Belt.



This special accessory tracks accurate heart rate information, and can also be paired with any compatible Suunto device. Before starting an exercise mode, follow the instructions and strap it around your chest before holding up the watch next to it. Once it detects the strap, the heart rate should be displayed at the bottom of the watchface.



The Ambit2 R is now available at all AD Time retail outlets nationwide, and currently retails for RM1,399 (with heart rate strap) and RM1,199 (without). Choices include black and white variants, with the latter offering a slight difference in terms of the strap length and material.