Suunto’s T3 backs up its cool looks with an impressive performance. It has a programmable training zone and you can alter the parameters of three other consecutive HR zones to fine-tune your feedback.
You get a ‘Training Effect’ figure too that rates your session on its aerobic benefit, taking into account your fitness and your activity level, which is an interesting extra. Just don’t try to hit the top level every time or you’ll break yourself.
The package comes with a handlebar mount and a computer sensor that provides good bike information and allows you to set interval sessions based on distance as well as time. The memory records the amount of time you spent in each zone, your average and peak HRs… all the meaty details of your last 15 sessions and up to 50 laps. It’s downloadable too but you’ll need Suunto’s PC Pod and software and they’re not included.
The HR figure is easy to read but the stopwatch is a bit on the small side and we didn’t find this the most intuitive set-up to use. Plus, the labels that tell you each button’s function are on the back, which is just wrong. Still, it soon becomes second nature and you’ll be glad you persisted.
