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Suunto

Coordinates:60°16′19″N24°58′22″E/ 60.27194°N 24.97278°E/60.27194; 24.97278
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Suunto Oy
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryMeasuring instruments
Founded1936;88 years ago(1936)
FounderTuomas Vohlonen
Headquarters
Vantaa
,
Finland
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsOutdoor, performance and lifestyle watches ⋅Diving computers⋅Compasses⋅ Precision instruments
OwnerLiesheng
Number of employees
300+
ParentLiesheng
Websitesuunto

Suunto Oyis aFinnishcompany that manufactures and markets sports watches,dive computers,compasses and precision instruments. Headquartered inVantaa,Finland, Suunto employs more than 300 people worldwide, and its products are sold in over 100 countries. Although globally active, the headquarters is placed next to the factory, in which most of the work stages are still handcrafted. Suunto was a subsidiary ofAmer Sports,owned since 2019 by the Chinese groupAnta Sports,[1][2][3][4]with sister brandsWilson,Atomic,Sports Tracker,Salomon,Precor,Arc'teryx.In May 2022, Chinese technology company Liesheng acquired Suunto from Amer Sports.[5][6]

The company's name comes from the Finnish wordsuunta,meaning "direction" or "path", or in navigation, "bearing" or "heading".[citation needed]

History

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First logo of Suunto

In 1932 the company's founder,Tuomas Vohlonen,a surveyor by profession, applied for a patent for a unique method of filling and sealing a lightweight compass housing made entirely of celluloid and filled with liquid to dampen the needle and to protect it from shock and wear due to excessive motion.[7]

The SuuntoM-311went into mass production in 1936

In 1935, Vohlonen was granted a patent on his design, and it went into mass production a year later as the wrist-mount SuuntoM-311.[7]Although it was not the first portable liquid-filled compass, Vohlonen's design was compact and lightweight, enabling it to be easily worn on the wrist.[8][9][10][11][12]With minor changes, theM-311was later adopted by the Finnish Army as theM-34.[citation needed]

The company was entered in the trade register on February 4, 1936.[13]

DuringWorld War II,Suunto introduced a compact liquidsighting compass,theM/40,for artillery officers and other users needing a precision instrument for measuring anazimuth.[citation needed]The company grew rapidly after the war, supplying compasses and othernavigational instrumentsto both civilian and military markets.[14]

After Tuomas Vohlonen died in 1939, his widow Elli Vohlonen ran the company until 1952, when she sold it to Paavo Kajanne, Aarne Mahnala and Veli-Jussi Hölsö, who also owned Redox Oy. At the very end of 1970s they sold the company to Niemistö family, and in the beginning of 1990s Sponsor Oy bought the company and listed it in a stock exchange in 1995. In 1999Amer Sportsbought the company.[15]

In 1996 Suunto Oy acquired Recta SA, aSwisscompass manufacturer.

In the late 1930s Suunto Oy was located in the backyard building of Laivanvarustajankatu 8, Ullanlinna, Helsinki. In 1959 Suunto moved to Itämerenkatu 52, Ruoholahti, Helsinki. In 1969 the company moved to Juvan teollisuuskatu 8, Juvanmalmi, Espoo. Suunto Oy's headquarters moved to its current location in Valimotie 7, Tammisto, Vantaa in 2001.[16]

Compass products

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Suunto makes a wide variety of magnetic compasses, including theAandMseries for general navigation, theArrowseries of compasses for competitiveorienteeringandKB(KäsiBussoli, engl. hand bearing compass),MB(=MatchBox) andMC(=Mirror Compass) lines for those requiring a professional-qualityhand bearing compass.[17]Suunto also produces theRectalines of compasses, includingDTbaseplate series based on Suunto designs, theDSseries of mirror sighting compasses, the RectaClippermicro compasses, and the famousDP'matchbox' series of military compasses invented by Recta in 1941. In 2009, Suunto discontinued the Swiss-made RectaDOseries, moving all remaining production of Recta compasses from Biel, Switzerland to its production facility in Vantaa, Finland.[18]

After acquiring Recta AG in 1996, Suunto incorporated theRecta Turbo 20global needle system technology originally patented by Recta SA[19][20]into many of its own compass designs.

Since 1967, successors of M-40 have been offered asKBline, which consists of high-quality hand-bearing surveyingcompassesandinclinometersthat are accurate to fractions of adegree.Traditionally made of a solid block of machinedaluminum,each KB compass contains a magnetized dial withcalibrationmarkings printed along its outer edge.[21]Amagnifying lens(KB-14) orprismatic sight(KB-77) is mounted at one end of the instrument with acrosshairproviding a view of the disc, containing both forward and reciprocal bearings.[21]In operation, the user divides his or herfield of visionwith the instrument, using the device's lens or prism to precisely measure the bearing of the object in view.[21]Suunto has since discontinued production of theKB-77.A newer model, theKB-20,utilizes a housing composed of high-impact plastic to allow the compass to float if dropped into water.[22]

Global Needle System

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The SuuntoGlobal Needle Systemacquired from Recta as theTurbo-20needle design, the conventional magnetized compass needle is not used.[19][23]Instead, the compass needle and magnet are built as separate units functioning independently from each other.[23]The needle itself is fixed at its pivot by means of a double bearing, while the magnet rotates on a pivot with its own jeweled bearing. When attracted by the Earth's magnetic field, the separate compass magnet absorbs the vertical force of the magnetic field, so that the inclination angle of the magnetic field (magnetic dip) cannot tilt the needle, and the needle can no longer move in a vertical plane. This provides accurate readings of magnetic north in all magnetic zones of the world. The design also permits accurate readings with the compass tilted at angles of up to 20 degrees, while the use of a strong magnet causes the needle to settle extremely quickly, facilitating fast and accurate bearing/course measurements. This allows a user to obtain fairly accurate compass bearings even when moving, such as when hiking or traveling in a canoe.[24]

Military models

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Suunto logo with earlier "Replacing luck." -mantra on a cap

The first military compass produced by Suunto and adopted by the Finnish Army was theM-34,a wrist compass with an aluminum housing, which was also produced by Physica of Helsinki. Both companies engaged in a long court battle over ownership of theM-34design, which lasted until the early 1950s. In 1989, the Finnish Army adopted the SuuntoM89-60wrist compass with a composite baseplate, followed by theM-801with aluminum housing. Suunto baseplate compasses used by mountaineering, expeditionary, and rescue organizations around the world include theMC-2,KB-14,A-30,andM5 NATO(RA-69) along with theM-9andClipperwrist compasses. TheMC-2optical-sight (mirror) compass, RA-69 and several other Suunto compasses have been issued to variousNATOmilitaryforces over the years, including theBritish Army,Canadian Land Forcesand several U.S. Special Forces units.[25]TheRecta DP-6matchbox-style compass is still used by the Swiss Army.[citation needed]

Sport watches

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Suunto makes multi-function electronicwristwatchessuch as theCore,Ambit,Vector,X-Lander,andX10,which can provide a variety of functions includingcompass bearings,altitude,training effect and evenGPS location,depending on model. Suunto's multi-function electronic sport watches are made for different sports likesailing,golfing,hiking,mountaineering,alpine skiingandtraining.

G-, S-, T- and X-series of sport watches present an era when products with number 3 were described as entry level, number 6 as advanced and 9 as professional or high-end.

SuuntoVectorwas the world's first outdoor watch with ABC (altimeter, barometer and compass) functions. Released in 1998, it was available almost unchanged until it was discontinued in 2015. There was also aHRversion ofVector,adding basic heart rate functions.[citation needed]

SuuntoT6with its later versionsT6C(=Comfort belt) andT6D(=Dual belt) was one of the most advanced among heart rate monitors at the time of its release in 2004. It has, among other features, rate-to-rate recording of heart rate, an altimeter based on air pressure, calculation of EPOC and training effect and support for external POD devices measuring speed and distance.

SuuntoT3(and its C and D versions) offered many advanced training properties with much lower price thanT6.TheT4(with also C and D versions) was close the same as theT3,but it added an electronic coach function. There were alsoT1andT1C,a very basic heart monitors in T-series. All T-series versions have gone out of production until 2012.

The M-series are a successor of T-series (except forT6). The M-series is more of an entry-level fitness lineup, while T-series was more aimed at sports training. The M-series include the basic heart monitorsM1andM2(same watch, different heart rate strap) andM4andM5with more advanced functions, most of which electronic coaching for specific goals, such as weight control or improving physical performance.M4went out of production in 2013.

SuuntoQuestis a heart rate monitor aimed at sports training.

SuuntoAmbitseries, with the first version released in 2012 and later having includedAmbit2andAmbit3lineups. These include GPS, ABC-functions, rechargeable battery, advanced training functions (in training functionsAmbitis a successor ofT6) and updatable software. User can modify many of the functions ofAmbitaccording to individual preferences. Different apps are also available, and users can also create their own apps. Limited in production amounts,Ambit2 S Black Limited Editionhas been available from June 2015.Ambit3adds smartphone connectivity as its main improvement. On September 29, 2015Ambit3 Peak Nepal Editionwas released. There is no other difference between this and the normal version besides "Nepal Edition" text on the screen and a bit different bezel, but of every watch sold are donated toRed Crossfor humanitarian aid and rebuilding inNepal.On January 7, 2016Ambit3 Verticalwas introduced. It adds more comprehensive tracking of vertical movement and introduces a redesigned body.

SuuntoCoreis an ABC-watch (A=altitude, B=barometer, C=compass). Since its release in 2007 there has been more than 30 different versions ofCore.All of them have the same functions, but their external appearance differ. Most versions have plastic frames, but some are made of aluminum and two of them are made of stainless steel. Most of theCoreversions are no longer in production. There are some limited, numbered editions ofCore,such asEverest Edition(8848 made, in honor ofApa Sherpa's 21 ascents onMount Everest),Red BullX-AlpsEdition(864 made, according to the length of the race), andExtreme Edition(3000 made). Suunto celebrated its 75th anniversary by releasingAnniversary Edition(in some countries known asAlpine edition).Core All Blackis often erroneously referred to as Core All Black Military or Core Military, but such nominations are not official and such "military" versions do not exist.Coreis said to have named after its including core elements needed in this type of watch.

SuuntoLumiis designed for women. It includes mostly same functions asCore.With special adapter,Lumican be worn as a pendant. The Finnish word "lumi" translates as "snow". Published in 2007,Lumiwas available only for a few years.

SuuntoTraversewas released on October 1, 2015. The watch includes ABC-functions, GPS-receiver and heart rate monitoring. It includes many of the functions ofAmbit3but however it is to be a follow-up ofVectorandCoreas an outdoor watch.

Earlier Suunto has been using Suunto ANT and ANT+ (based on theANT network standard) protocols in wireless transmission of data. New releases beginning from Ambit3 series are based onBluetooth low energy.The most basic heart rate monitors have been using analog signal.

Although most of the sport watches are made in Finland, some of the products are made in China by another manufacturer. These includeT-seriesexcludingT6,M-series,Quest,Lumi,Core(excluding Alpha Stealth) and most of the PODs. Since the 2010s, Suunto has been successful in its efforts to reduce production in China and increase the share of Finnish manufacturing.[26]

Lifestyle watches

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When publishingKailash,Suunto also introduced their new approach, separating branches: together withEssentialandElementum,Kailashis now forming a new branch calledSuunto 7R,which is a collection of lifestyle watches, while watches for sports and performing present a separate category.[27]

SuuntoKailashwas published on October 14, 2015. It includes GPS-receiver but premium appear is its main feature. This product is mainly designed for travellers.Kailashis also the first product of forthcomingSuunto world series.

On January 15, 2015, Suunto releasedEssentialcollection of premium watches. Functionally these resemble theCorebut are made in Finland out of premium materials.[28]Finnish design and manufacture is emphasized, creating contrast with China-madeCore.

Suunto also manufactures theElementumseries of premium handmade wristwatches with specialized functions for outdoor (Terra), water activities (Aqua) and sailing (Ventus,discontinued).

Software

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Suunto provides software for interpreting recorded data from watches and for controlling them.

ForT6there wasTraining Managersoftware and forT3andT4there wasTraining Manager Lite.

In the beginning of 2010 Suunto releasedMovescountonline service. In 2014 Suunto introduced an app for usingMovescountfunctions iniOSmobile devices. After being delayed multiple times,Movescountapp forAndroidwas released on May 4, 2015.

On May 4, 2015, Amer Sports announced having acquiredSports Tracker,which was joining forces withMovescount.[29]Later this alliance became a base of Amer Sport digital services.

Suunto 7R-software brings connectivity between compatible7R-watches andiOS-devices.

In December 2015, Suunto introducedCustomizer,a web page to create and order a customized watch according to individual preferences. At first this is available to be done withAmbit3 PeakandSport.

In 2021, theMovescountweb-based online service was closed and replaced by a dedicated Suunto app available for iOS and Android.[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Weinland, Don; Massoudi, Arash; Hancock, Tom (6 December 2018)."China's Anta Sports closes in on €5.6bn takeover of Finland's Amer".Financial Times.Retrieved29 May2020.
  2. ^"Change in Amer Sports Corporation's financial reporting schedule"(Stock exchange release).GlobeNewswire(Press release). 22 July 2019.Retrieved29 May2020.
  3. ^"Wilson Sporting Goods parent to be acquired for $5.2 billion".Crain's Chicago Business.Bloomberg. 7 December 2018.Retrieved29 May2020.
  4. ^"Shizhong Ding, Anta Sports Products LTD: Profile and Biography".Bloomberg News.
  5. ^"Amer Sports develops its brand portfolio – divests Suunto to Liesheng".Amer Sports.2022-01-10.Retrieved2023-08-04.
  6. ^"Amer Sports completes Suunto transaction".Amer Sports.2022-05-06.Retrieved2023-08-04.
  7. ^abSuunto Oy,Suunto Company History,December 2001ArticleArchived2008-02-16 at theWayback Machine
  8. ^Gubbins, David,Encyclopedia of Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism,Springer Press (2007),ISBN1-4020-3992-1,ISBN978-1-4020-3992-8,p. 67: In 1690, SirEdmund Halleydemonstrated a rudimentary working model of a liquid compass at a meeting of theRoyal Society.
  9. ^Fanning, A.E.,Steady As She Goes: A History of the Compass Department of the Admiralty,HMSO, Department of the Admiralty (1986): The first liquid-filled mariner's compass to receive a patent as a working model was a nautical design invented by EnglishmanFrancis Crowin 1813.
  10. ^E.S. Ritchie & Sons Company, Inc.About Us,ArticleArchived2008-10-11 at theWayback Machine:In 1860,Edward Samuel Ritchie,an American physicist and instrument maker, received a U.S. patent for the first liquid-damped marine compass adopted for general use aboard ships and boats.
  11. ^Hughes, Henry A.,Improvements in prismatic compasses with special reference to the Creagh-Osborne patent compass,Transactions of The Optical Society 16 17-43, London: The Optical Society (1915): The first liquid-damped compass compact enough for pocket or pouch was the Creagh-Osborne, patented in 1915 in Great Britain.
  12. ^The Compass Museum,ArticleArchived2008-12-21 at theWayback Machine:Though the Creagh-Osborne was offered in a wrist-mount model, it proved too heavy and bulky in this form.
  13. ^"Suunto Turns 70 Years - Suunto - Military Suppliers - Copybook".Archived fromthe originalon 2015-06-23.Retrieved2015-04-23.
  14. ^"Suunto Heritage".
  15. ^"Suunnon marssikompassi täyttää tänään 70 vuotta".T&T.
  16. ^Suunto customer service, discussed 29.9.2015
  17. ^Dickison, Dan,Powerboat Reports Guide to Powerboat Gear: Take the Guesswork Out of Gear Buying,Globe Pequot Press (2006),ISBN1-59228-069-2,ISBN978-1-59228-069-8,pp. 91-93
  18. ^Recta: More Than 100 Years of Heritage,Recta AG - About Us, retrieved 13 April 2012
  19. ^abRecta Kompassen,hiking-site.nl,retrieved 17 January 2014
  20. ^Vorpe, Gilbert on behalf of Recta AG,Swiss Patent CH 663091,EC: G01C17/04, November 13, 1987
  21. ^abcDickison, pp. 91-93
  22. ^[1]Suunto KB-20/360R Yellow Compass,retrieved 30 April 2017
  23. ^abMorton, Keith,Planning a Wilderness Trip in Canada and Alaska,ISBN0921102305,(1997), p. 110
  24. ^What is a Global Needle,The Compass Store, retrieved 18 January 2014
  25. ^Ministry of Defence,Manual of Map Reading and Land Navigation,HMSO Army Code 70947 (1988),ISBN0-11-772611-7,ISBN978-0-11-772611-6,ch. 8, sec. 26, pp. 6-7
  26. ^"Suunto otti uuden kurssin".
  27. ^"Suunto introduces the World Collection by releasing the Suunto Kailash watch for travelers and adventurers".Suunto.
  28. ^Press release by Amer Sports, March 12, 2015
  29. ^(Press Release)http:// amersports /newsroom/news/news-article/2015/05/04/amer-sports-strengthens-its-digital-connectivity-services-and-capabilities-through-acquisition-of-sports-tracker-Archived2015-05-05 at theWayback Machine
  30. ^"Suunto's Digital Services".Suunto.Retrieved2021-02-03.
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60°16′19″N24°58′22″E/ 60.27194°N 24.97278°E/60.27194; 24.97278

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