Suunto Ambit3 Vertical User Guide - 1.2
Navigating with GPS
Suunto Ambit3 Vertical uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine your current position. GPS incorporates a set of satellites that orbit the Earth at an altitude of 20,000 km at the speed of 4 km/s.
The built-in GPS receiver in Suunto Ambit3 Vertical is optimized for wrist use and receives data from a very wide angle.
Getting GPS signal
Suunto Ambit3 Vertical activates GPS automatically when you select a sport mode with the GPS functionality, determine your location, or start navigating.
When you activate GPS for the first time, or have not used it for a long time, it might take longer than usual to get a GPS fix. Subsequent GPS starts will take less time.
To minimize GPS initiation time, hold the watch steady with GPS facing up and make sure you are in an open area so that the watch has a clear view of the sky.
Regularly synchronize your Suunto Ambit3 Vertical with Suunto app to get the latest satellite orbit data (GPS optimization). This reduces the time needed to get the GPS fix and improves track accuracy.
Troubleshooting: No GPS signal
- For an optimal signal, point the GPS part of the watch upwards. The best signal can be received in an open area with a clear view of the sky.
- The GPS receiver usually works well inside tents and other thin covers. However, objects, buildings, dense vegetation or cloudy weather can reduce the GPS signal reception quality.
- GPS signal does not penetrate any solid constructions or water. Therefore do not try to activate GPS for example inside buildings, caves, or under water.
GPS grids and position formats
Grids are lines on a map that define the coordinate system used on the map.
Position format is the way the GPS receiver's position is displayed on the watch. All the formats relate to the same location, they only express it in a different way. You can change the position format in the watch settings under General » Format » Position format.
You can select the format from the following grids:
- latitude/longitude is the most commonly used grid and has three different formats:
- WGS84 Hd.d°
- WGS84 Hd°m.m'
- WGS84 Hd°m's.s
- UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) gives a two-dimensional horizontal position presentation.
- MGRS (Military Grid Reference System) is an extension of UTM and consists of a grid zone designator, 100,000-meter square identifier and a numerical location.
Suunto Ambit3 Vertical also supports the following local grids:
- British (BNG)
- Finnish (ETRS-TM35FIN)
- Finnish (KKJ)
- Irish (IG)
- Swedish (RT90)
- Swiss (CH1903)
- UTM NAD27 Alaska
- UTM NAD27 Conus
- UTM NAD83
- NZTM2000 (New Zealand)
Some grids cannot be used in the areas north of 84°N and south of 80°S, or outside the countries that they are intended for.
GPS accuracy and power saving
When customizing sport modes, you can define the GPS fix interval using the GPS accuracy setting in Movescount. The shorter the interval, the better the accuracy during exercise.
By increasing the interval and lowering the accuracy, you can extend the battery life.
The GPS accuracy options are:
- Best: ~ 1 sec fix interval, highest power consumption
- Good: ~ 5 sec fix interval, moderate power consumption
- OK: ~ 60 sec fix interval, lowest power consumption
- Off: no GPS fix