I really like the foot pod. I'm in the Air Force and run quite often to keep myself in shape, and I have always found it hard to gauge my speed... usually I have to use lap times, but by the time I make a lap, I'm either already getting worn out because I ran too fast or I realize I'm going too slow and I have to really push on the next 5 laps to make up for it. With the Suunto T3 + this foot pod, I can easily watch my speed and adjust throughout my run. I have found that the foot pod is a little bit off - about .01 mile per 1/4 mile, but I have easily adapted to that.
I also find it really nice to be able to run anywhere I want and know the exact distance I went. Super nice.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who runs.
About Suunto
Suunto was founded in 1936 by outdoors man and a keen orienteering enthusiast, Tuomas Vohlonen, who had long been bothered by a problem: the inaccuracy of traditional dry compasses and their lack of steady needle operation. Being an engineer with an inventive turn of mind, he discovered and patented the production method for a much steadier needle, better readings, and a new level of accuracy.
By 1950 the company was exporting compasses to over 50 countries around the world, including Canada and the United States. In 1952, Helsinki was hosting the Olympic Games, and the torches carried to light the Olympic flame were Suunto products. The next step was improving the stability and accuracy of marine compasses. The first marine compass, the Suunto K-12, was launched onto the market in 1953. In 1957, Suunto started manufacturing hypsometers, which measure the height of trees.
In the 1960s, the compass range grew further and Suunto introduced its first diving compass--initiated by the divers themselves. A British sports diver attached a Suunto compass to his wrist and found that the device also worked underwater. Thanks to his feedback and initiatives, the new business category was found. Suunto's exports and business grew steadily and Suunto then focused on combining its strength in precision mechanics with new skills in electronics. Accuracy, reliability, and ruggedness have been Suunto's key values from the very beginning of the company history.
Today, Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports instruments for training, diving, mountaineering, hiking, skiing, sailing, and golf. True to its roots, Suunto is today the world's biggest compass manufacturer. Prized for their design, accuracy and dependability, Suunto sports instruments combine the aesthetics and functionality of watches with sport-specific computers that help athletes at all levels analyze and improve performance. Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs more than 500 people worldwide and distributes its products to nearly 60 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Amer Sports Corporation with the sister brands Wilson, Salomon, Atomic, Precor, and Mavic.
I bought this at my weight watchers meeting for .00. It works great! I wish I had bought it sooner. You have to read the instructions and set it up properly. After that, it is very easy to use. There are 2 setting choices for counting steps/activity ponts. You can set it for an "activity walk" or for "all day" (I choose all day) . If you choose all day, then it will start counting steps towards activity points once the minimum steps are reached (what a person walks in a typical day). If you just want to use it for an "active" walk then it starts counting steps towards activity points right away. It really takes all the guess work out of figuring up activity points. It gives milage, date, times, pause, and a few more options. I wear it ALL the time and it has helped to motivate me.
