May 13, 2025 • 15 mins
Suunto RUN first look review. Is Suunto's budget running watch yet another fabled Garmin-killer that won't live up to that promise, or is it better in more subtle ways? Why can Suunto do so well with beautiful aesthetics and a great app, yet omit the on-device app store? Bonkers? Or a stroke-of-genius?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive. Today we're taking a closer look
at a new running watch that's getting some attention to the
Centaur run. You mentioned wanting to really
get into the hood of this one, figure out what it offers for,
you know, your everyday runs. Absolutely.
And to do that we've really leaned on a very detailed review
from the 5K runner. They've spent some real time
with it. We're also pulling in info from
Santos site naturally, and checking out what T3 Matt
(00:24):
Legrand on YouTube and Tom's Guide had to say just around
things out. OK, great.
So the mission today is pretty clear.
What's actually new with the Sumter run?
What can it really do for runners?
And ultimately, is it a good fitfor you, the listener if you
want the key info without drowning in tech specs?
Exactly. All right, let's jump in.
Where does the 5K runner actually place the Sumter run?
(00:46):
What kind of watch is it meant to be?
So according to the 5K runner, it's positioned quite clearly as
an entry level watch, but one that's, you know, dedicated
specifically to sports, particularly running.
They really stressed that its main job is delivering those
essential running feature as well.
Entry level OK, what about price?
Price wise, we're looking at 199Niners in the UK, €249 and $249
(01:11):
in the US. That definitely puts it quite a
bit lower than some of the big competitors.
Yeah, that one's pretty accessible.
And that's likely a big part of the strategy, making it
attractive to maybe a broader group of runners.
It officially launched or is launching June 3rd, 2025.
Gotcha. So who does the 5K runner see as
the main competition at that sort of price?
(01:31):
Well, they and the other sourcesto generally point to the Garmin
400 and 165 music, the Polar Pacer, maybe the Coro Space Pro,
although that's often seen as a step up.
And interestingly, even Sunto's own Race S gets mentioned.
OK. So a few usual suspects there.
Right and the 5K runner actuallydoes a useful side by side look
at the hardware. The sunto run seems to well hold
(01:53):
its own pretty well. There are things like the
display resolution, it's got a nice AMOLED screen and it's
really light, only 36 grammes the. 36 grammes.
Wow, that is light. Yeah, could be a real plus if
you hate feeling a watch on yourwrist while running so.
That AMOLED screen and the weight sound good, but how does
the 5K runner think it actually compares in terms of what it
does for runners, you know, features versus value against
(02:16):
those competitors? Well, they do acknowledge that
Koros and maybe the Sun two race's are kind of in a higher
tier feature wise. The most direct fight they
suggest is really between the sun to run and that Garmin 4
runner 165 on core running features.
They seem pretty closely matched.
But, and this is a key point the5K runner makes, the Garmin does
(02:39):
offer more on the smart side of things.
Like what? Things Like, you know, actual
music streaming integration, notjust MP3's, tap and go payments,
access to Garmin's Connect IQ App Store, right?
The broader smartwatch ecosystem.
Exactly so it becomes that familiar trade off, doesn't it?
Do you want the dedicated running tool or the more general
purpose smartwatch that also tracks runs well?
(03:00):
Yeah, that makes sense. What's the 5K runners feeling on
where the average runner might land on that?
They suggest that while Garmin has more features overall, the
sun to run might really appeal if you prefer something simpler,
maybe a cleaner interface or even just like the look of it
better. Aesthetics do matter.
They do, and interestingly, the 5K runner also mentioned some
(03:22):
reported reliability questions around some newer Garmin models
that could factor in for some people.
They even throw the Apple Watch SE into the mix as a cheaper
alternative that you know can record Sport.
Right, another option. Ultimately, the 5K runner kind
of implies that if you're not sure exactly what you need,
maybe the Garmin's wider featureset feels safer.
But for a lot of runners who just want solid tracking and the
(03:45):
key metrics, the centre run is probably going to be well more
than enough. OK, OK, so let's dig into the
centre run itself then. What does the 5K runner flag as
being really new or different about this?
Watch what stands out, good or bad.
One of the first things they highlight is navigation, or
rather, the lack of detailed maps.
Yeah, the centre run only has basic breadcrumb navigation.
(04:07):
It shows you the line of where you've been, but no underlying
map. So no turn by turn directions or
anything like that? Nope.
They contrast that with the Garmin 165, which can use things
like DW map, and obviously the Apple Watch has its own maps.
Yeah. So the sento runs approach seems
geared more towards runners who maybe stick to routes they
already know. OK breadcrumb only got it.
(04:30):
What about music you mentioned that was different from Garmin.
Is this new for Sento at this level?
It is, yeah. The 5K runner confirms this is
the first time Sento's put musicplayback on a watch in this more
accessible category, but the waythey've done it is pretty basic.
How so? It's drag and drop MP3 files
onto the watches storage. There's no integration with
(04:52):
Spotify or other streaming services.
Matt Legrand's review echoes this too.
It's offline music, but not the seamless streaming you get
elsewhere. Right, so you have to manage the
files yourself. Could be a deal breaker for
some. Could be yeah if you live on
Spotify or Apple Music for your runs.
And payments. Can you leave your wallet at
home? What did the 5K runner find?
Very late limited on that front.According to the review, it
(05:13):
supports Alipay, but that's really only useful in China.
How? To compare that to Garmin pay,
which works in many more places,sometimes via services like
Curve to link more banks. The 5K runner also makes the
connection. You know, Santos ownership is
Chinese manufacturing is there. So the Alipay focus kind of
makes sense in that context. Interesting point about the
regional influence. Yeah, OK, let's shift back to
(05:36):
the core running stuff. What about the sensors?
GPS altimeter? Yeah, build quality?
How does the 5K runner rate those?
They give it good marks here. The Sento run includes both GPS
and a barometric altimeter. That combo is great for getting
accurate elevation data, which is, you know, really useful if
you run trails or hills. Yeah, definitely.
(05:56):
The screen uses Gorilla Glass, so it should be pretty durable,
and importantly, it uses the same Sony dual frequency GNSS
chipset that Sento put in their more expensive watches
previously. Oh.
OK, so the GPS hardware is decent.
I seem so the 5K runner acknowledges that maybe some top
tier watches might edge it out in really tricky GPS conditions
(06:17):
like dense cities or deep canyons.
But they reckon for most people,most runs, the sunto runs, GPS
will be perfectly fine, more than adequate.
It's good. To know and the watch itself,
the physical design, the feel. The 5K runner notes it's got a
lighter case than older Santos, which helps get it down to that
36G weight. There's a new charging puck
(06:37):
design, too. Different charger.
Yeah, a new 4 pin magnetic one. They mentioned it might not work
with older Sunto chargers, whichis something to be aware of.
The strap widths is standard 22 millimetre at launch.
It's just one size 46 millimetrecase and comes with a
lightweight nylon strap. Silicone ones might come later
in 2025 apparently. Nylon strap.
(06:57):
Interesting choice for a runningwatch.
Usually silicone. Yeah, maybe for weight saving or
just a different feel. OK, what about the software
inside? Any new running specific
features the five tier runner picked up on?
Yes, a couple of things. There's something called
marathon mode. Marathon mode?
What's that? It basically tries to give you a
real time estimate of your finish time during a race, but
(07:17):
for predefined distances like 1/2 marathon or full marathon,
the 5K runner sees it as a bit niche.
Maybe most useful if you're really targeting a specific
time. OK.
Anything else? There's also a new track mode.
This is supposed to give you more accurate distances when
you're running laps on a standard track, letting you tell
(07:39):
it which lane you're. In that could be useful for
track workouts. Could be, yeah, But the 5K
runner points out it's still pretty new, maybe still under
development. It only supports limited track
shapes right now, so maybe not ahuge deal unless you're on the
track multiple times a week. Right, still evolving, perhaps
overall the user interface, navigating the menus.
What was the 5K runners impression?
(08:01):
Easy to use. They seem to like the UI updates
which are specific to this model.
Apparently won't philtre down toolder suntos because of
technical limits. They highlighted one nice touch.
Pressing the crown button takes you straight to the activity
list, with your last used sport right at the top.
Oh, that's. Andy, quick start.
Yeah, seems designed to get you running quickly, which the 5K
(08:22):
runner saw as a definite positive.
So pulling all that together from the 5K runners perspective,
who is this watch really for? Is it a good fit for that
average runner you are listener might be?
Yeah, this is really central to their conclusion.
They are pretty clear for what they called the normal runner,
you know, someone doing park run, maybe training for a 10K or
(08:43):
even up to a marathon. The Suntour run is, and I quote
roughly, very likely to meet alltheir essential needs.
OK, that's quite a strong statement.
It is. Their argument is basically that
most runners rely on a core set of features day in day out, and
the Suntour run delivers those key things pretty well.
They specifically call out the different running boats.
(09:03):
Track, treadmill, troll, runningare all there.
So it covers the different places you might run.
Exactly. And beyond running, it
apparently has 34 sport modes total, including triathlon,
which is interesting at this price.
It also provides, you know, the expected run training data,
insights, structured workout capability for intervals,
training low moderating. The basics are covered.
And the overall feel. The 5K runner consistently
(09:26):
praises the ease of use, and they won't be aesthetics, the
design. They actually say they'd
recommend it to friends and family who run or want a fitness
watch. Wow.
OK. The main distinction they draw
is if you're someone who wants like 1,000,000 features, maybe
many you won't even use for running, then perhaps you look
elsewhere. Maybe Garmin, but for a focused,
solid running experience, the 5Krunner seems to think the Suntu
(09:50):
run really hits the mark. Right, so for that everyday
runner focused on the run itself, sounds like the 5K
runner gives it a definite nod. Let's talk battery life.
Always crucial. What did the review and the
other sources find? OK, so the official numbers
which the 5K runner seems to confirm are realistic, are up to
12 days in just daily watch mode.
(10:11):
For training using the highest accuracy GPS, you're looking at
up to 20 hours. 20 hours GPS is pretty solid.
It is, and the 5K runner mentions there are different
battery modes too where you can trade off some GPS accuracy for
longer life as you'd expect. One thing they and Tom's Guide
note is that if you use the Always on Display setting that
(10:32):
battery life will naturally takea hit.
Of course, how does it compare to others like Koros who are
known for battery? Yeah, Koros often leads the pack
there. The 5K runner suggests the
sentel runs. Battery is respectable,
especially given its size and that power hungry AMOLED screen,
but maybe not quite chart topping like some Chorus models.
(10:52):
OK, respectable is good. Now accuracy.
When you're out running, how good is the data?
GPS part rate? What did the 5K runner find?
GPS accuracy gets a generally positive assessment from the 5K
runner. They put that down to using that
same Sony chipset from Sunto's more expensive watches.
Right, you mentioned that. Yeah, so in their tests and
(11:12):
Tom's Guide seemed to find something similar.
The GPS tracks were generally consistent, followed paths well,
didn't show major weirdness. Pretty reliable for route
tracking. Good and wrist heart rate.
The Achilles heel of many watches.
Yes, well, the 5K runner and again Tom's Guide had similar
findings. Said it was mostly reliable
during steady runs, but they didnotice occasional sort of
(11:36):
unexplained high readings or spikes, especially when
intensity changed quickly. So maybe not perfect for
interval training based purely on wrist HR.
Possibly not for super precise zone targeting, no.
The recommendation from the 5K runner, which is pretty standard
advice really, is If you need the most accurate heart rate
data for your training, pairing the watch with a chest strap is
(11:57):
still the way to go. Right, makes sense.
Consistent advice there. OK, Any other cool features or
things worth mentioning that the5K runner highlighted?
Yeah, definitely re emphasising the weight, just 36 grammes,
very light and comfortable according to them.
The quality of that AMOLED screen gets another mentioned
bright Clearwater resistance. Is 50 metres so fine for
swimming or running in heavy rain?
(12:19):
Good. What about daily tracking sleep
steps? It does all the usual daily
activity tracking, steps, calories and sleep analysis.
Although some sources, includingthe 5K runner I think noted
maybe some inconsistencies or potential inaccuracies in the
sleep tracking compared to otherdevices.
Steps might also read a bit lower on the sunto.
(12:40):
OK, so maybe not its strongest suit.
Maybe not quite as refined as some others there.
It's got Bluetooth of course, for headphones and external
sensors like heart rate monitorsand importantly, the 5K runner
highlights. The app integration connects
easily to Strava Training Peaks other platforms via the Sento
app. So you can get your data out
easily. Yeah, and the Sento app itself
(13:01):
offers quite detailed analysis powered by training peaks
insights, apparently. Plus you get the basic smart
stuff, phone notifications, weather forecast, useful extras.
OK. Covers a lot so flipping it
around based on the 5K runners review, what are the main things
the centre run is missing compared to competitors or
pricier options? Just to be clear on the
trade-offs. Right.
(13:22):
So number one is definitely those on board maps.
Just bread crumbs, remember? Then there's the lack of
advanced smart features like music streaming or widespread
contactless payments that you find on some garments.
Music storage is also limited to4GB and it's just that basic MP3
drag and drop. Another thing the 5K runner
noted is the absence of sun to plus sport apps.
(13:44):
Those little add-ons for extra data fields you get on other
CentOS. We mentioned the potentially
less accurate sleep tracking andmaybe lower step counts.
And one for the cyclists or triathletes.
The 5K runner points out there'sno support for cycling power
metres. That's reserved for Sinto's more
expensive multi sport watches. OK, that's a clear list of
(14:04):
what's not included. So really bringing it all
together based on the 5K runnersdeep dive, what's the final
picture? In essence, the 5K Runner paints
the Sinto Run as a really strongcontender in its price bracket.
It's really lightweight, has that great AMOLED screen, and
crucially, delivers the core running features that most
runners actually need and use day-to-day.
(14:25):
The position is a compelling alternative, especially if you
value simplicity, ease of use, and maybe the sunto aesthetic
over having every single smart feature, end of the sun or
needing onboard maps. Right, so for you listening as
you process all this, it really boils down to weighing those
specific trade-offs, doesn't it?Is the basic music OK for you?
Can you live without detailed maps?
Are contactless payments a must have?
(14:48):
You need to balance that againstthe attractive price, the
lightweight and that focus on delivering the running
essentials well, which the 5K runner seem to really
appreciate. Exactly.
And maybe that leads us to a final thought to chew on.
We see so many wearables packingin more and more features,
becoming these complex risk computers.
Is there actually a strong case for a more dedicated running
(15:10):
watch like the Sunto Run? One that, as the 5K runner
suggests, focuses on doing the core job really well without
overwhelming you? Because that actually be a
smarter choice for your focus training that a watch that tries
to do everything. What really counts is enough
features for your running. Something to definitely consider
what's essential versus what's just extra noise.
(15:30):
Great point to end on. Thanks for breaking down that
Sento run review with us.
Welcome to the Deep Dive. Today we're taking a closer look
at a new running watch that's getting some attention to the
Centaur run. You mentioned wanting to really
get into the hood of this one, figure out what it offers for,
you know, your everyday runs. Absolutely.
And to do that we've really leaned on a very detailed review
from the 5K runner. They've spent some real time
with it. We're also pulling in info from
Santos site naturally, and checking out what T3 Matt
(00:24):
Legrand on YouTube and Tom's Guide had to say just around
things out. OK, great.
So the mission today is pretty clear.
What's actually new with the Sumter run?
What can it really do for runners?
And ultimately, is it a good fitfor you, the listener if you
want the key info without drowning in tech specs?
Exactly. All right, let's jump in.
Where does the 5K runner actually place the Sumter run?
(00:46):
What kind of watch is it meant to be?
So according to the 5K runner, it's positioned quite clearly as
an entry level watch, but one that's, you know, dedicated
specifically to sports, particularly running.
They really stressed that its main job is delivering those
essential running feature as well.
Entry level OK, what about price?
Price wise, we're looking at 199Niners in the UK, €249 and $249
(01:11):
in the US. That definitely puts it quite a
bit lower than some of the big competitors.
Yeah, that one's pretty accessible.
And that's likely a big part of the strategy, making it
attractive to maybe a broader group of runners.
It officially launched or is launching June 3rd, 2025.
Gotcha. So who does the 5K runner see as
the main competition at that sort of price?
(01:31):
Well, they and the other sourcesto generally point to the Garmin
400 and 165 music, the Polar Pacer, maybe the Coro Space Pro,
although that's often seen as a step up.
And interestingly, even Sunto's own Race S gets mentioned.
OK. So a few usual suspects there.
Right and the 5K runner actuallydoes a useful side by side look
at the hardware. The sunto run seems to well hold
(01:53):
its own pretty well. There are things like the
display resolution, it's got a nice AMOLED screen and it's
really light, only 36 grammes the. 36 grammes.
Wow, that is light. Yeah, could be a real plus if
you hate feeling a watch on yourwrist while running so.
That AMOLED screen and the weight sound good, but how does
the 5K runner think it actually compares in terms of what it
does for runners, you know, features versus value against
(02:16):
those competitors? Well, they do acknowledge that
Koros and maybe the Sun two race's are kind of in a higher
tier feature wise. The most direct fight they
suggest is really between the sun to run and that Garmin 4
runner 165 on core running features.
They seem pretty closely matched.
But, and this is a key point the5K runner makes, the Garmin does
(02:39):
offer more on the smart side of things.
Like what? Things Like, you know, actual
music streaming integration, notjust MP3's, tap and go payments,
access to Garmin's Connect IQ App Store, right?
The broader smartwatch ecosystem.
Exactly so it becomes that familiar trade off, doesn't it?
Do you want the dedicated running tool or the more general
purpose smartwatch that also tracks runs well?
(03:00):
Yeah, that makes sense. What's the 5K runners feeling on
where the average runner might land on that?
They suggest that while Garmin has more features overall, the
sun to run might really appeal if you prefer something simpler,
maybe a cleaner interface or even just like the look of it
better. Aesthetics do matter.
They do, and interestingly, the 5K runner also mentioned some
(03:22):
reported reliability questions around some newer Garmin models
that could factor in for some people.
They even throw the Apple Watch SE into the mix as a cheaper
alternative that you know can record Sport.
Right, another option. Ultimately, the 5K runner kind
of implies that if you're not sure exactly what you need,
maybe the Garmin's wider featureset feels safer.
But for a lot of runners who just want solid tracking and the
(03:45):
key metrics, the centre run is probably going to be well more
than enough. OK, OK, so let's dig into the
centre run itself then. What does the 5K runner flag as
being really new or different about this?
Watch what stands out, good or bad.
One of the first things they highlight is navigation, or
rather, the lack of detailed maps.
Yeah, the centre run only has basic breadcrumb navigation.
(04:07):
It shows you the line of where you've been, but no underlying
map. So no turn by turn directions or
anything like that? Nope.
They contrast that with the Garmin 165, which can use things
like DW map, and obviously the Apple Watch has its own maps.
Yeah. So the sento runs approach seems
geared more towards runners who maybe stick to routes they
already know. OK breadcrumb only got it.
(04:30):
What about music you mentioned that was different from Garmin.
Is this new for Sento at this level?
It is, yeah. The 5K runner confirms this is
the first time Sento's put musicplayback on a watch in this more
accessible category, but the waythey've done it is pretty basic.
How so? It's drag and drop MP3 files
onto the watches storage. There's no integration with
(04:52):
Spotify or other streaming services.
Matt Legrand's review echoes this too.
It's offline music, but not the seamless streaming you get
elsewhere. Right, so you have to manage the
files yourself. Could be a deal breaker for
some. Could be yeah if you live on
Spotify or Apple Music for your runs.
And payments. Can you leave your wallet at
home? What did the 5K runner find?
Very late limited on that front.According to the review, it
(05:13):
supports Alipay, but that's really only useful in China.
How? To compare that to Garmin pay,
which works in many more places,sometimes via services like
Curve to link more banks. The 5K runner also makes the
connection. You know, Santos ownership is
Chinese manufacturing is there. So the Alipay focus kind of
makes sense in that context. Interesting point about the
regional influence. Yeah, OK, let's shift back to
(05:36):
the core running stuff. What about the sensors?
GPS altimeter? Yeah, build quality?
How does the 5K runner rate those?
They give it good marks here. The Sento run includes both GPS
and a barometric altimeter. That combo is great for getting
accurate elevation data, which is, you know, really useful if
you run trails or hills. Yeah, definitely.
(05:56):
The screen uses Gorilla Glass, so it should be pretty durable,
and importantly, it uses the same Sony dual frequency GNSS
chipset that Sento put in their more expensive watches
previously. Oh.
OK, so the GPS hardware is decent.
I seem so the 5K runner acknowledges that maybe some top
tier watches might edge it out in really tricky GPS conditions
(06:17):
like dense cities or deep canyons.
But they reckon for most people,most runs, the sunto runs, GPS
will be perfectly fine, more than adequate.
It's good. To know and the watch itself,
the physical design, the feel. The 5K runner notes it's got a
lighter case than older Santos, which helps get it down to that
36G weight. There's a new charging puck
(06:37):
design, too. Different charger.
Yeah, a new 4 pin magnetic one. They mentioned it might not work
with older Sunto chargers, whichis something to be aware of.
The strap widths is standard 22 millimetre at launch.
It's just one size 46 millimetrecase and comes with a
lightweight nylon strap. Silicone ones might come later
in 2025 apparently. Nylon strap.
(06:57):
Interesting choice for a runningwatch.
Usually silicone. Yeah, maybe for weight saving or
just a different feel. OK, what about the software
inside? Any new running specific
features the five tier runner picked up on?
Yes, a couple of things. There's something called
marathon mode. Marathon mode?
What's that? It basically tries to give you a
real time estimate of your finish time during a race, but
(07:17):
for predefined distances like 1/2 marathon or full marathon,
the 5K runner sees it as a bit niche.
Maybe most useful if you're really targeting a specific
time. OK.
Anything else? There's also a new track mode.
This is supposed to give you more accurate distances when
you're running laps on a standard track, letting you tell
(07:39):
it which lane you're. In that could be useful for
track workouts. Could be, yeah, But the 5K
runner points out it's still pretty new, maybe still under
development. It only supports limited track
shapes right now, so maybe not ahuge deal unless you're on the
track multiple times a week. Right, still evolving, perhaps
overall the user interface, navigating the menus.
What was the 5K runners impression?
(08:01):
Easy to use. They seem to like the UI updates
which are specific to this model.
Apparently won't philtre down toolder suntos because of
technical limits. They highlighted one nice touch.
Pressing the crown button takes you straight to the activity
list, with your last used sport right at the top.
Oh, that's. Andy, quick start.
Yeah, seems designed to get you running quickly, which the 5K
(08:22):
runner saw as a definite positive.
So pulling all that together from the 5K runners perspective,
who is this watch really for? Is it a good fit for that
average runner you are listener might be?
Yeah, this is really central to their conclusion.
They are pretty clear for what they called the normal runner,
you know, someone doing park run, maybe training for a 10K or
(08:43):
even up to a marathon. The Suntour run is, and I quote
roughly, very likely to meet alltheir essential needs.
OK, that's quite a strong statement.
It is. Their argument is basically that
most runners rely on a core set of features day in day out, and
the Suntour run delivers those key things pretty well.
They specifically call out the different running boats.
(09:03):
Track, treadmill, troll, runningare all there.
So it covers the different places you might run.
Exactly. And beyond running, it
apparently has 34 sport modes total, including triathlon,
which is interesting at this price.
It also provides, you know, the expected run training data,
insights, structured workout capability for intervals,
training low moderating. The basics are covered.
And the overall feel. The 5K runner consistently
(09:26):
praises the ease of use, and they won't be aesthetics, the
design. They actually say they'd
recommend it to friends and family who run or want a fitness
watch. Wow.
OK. The main distinction they draw
is if you're someone who wants like 1,000,000 features, maybe
many you won't even use for running, then perhaps you look
elsewhere. Maybe Garmin, but for a focused,
solid running experience, the 5Krunner seems to think the Suntu
(09:50):
run really hits the mark. Right, so for that everyday
runner focused on the run itself, sounds like the 5K
runner gives it a definite nod. Let's talk battery life.
Always crucial. What did the review and the
other sources find? OK, so the official numbers
which the 5K runner seems to confirm are realistic, are up to
12 days in just daily watch mode.
(10:11):
For training using the highest accuracy GPS, you're looking at
up to 20 hours. 20 hours GPS is pretty solid.
It is, and the 5K runner mentions there are different
battery modes too where you can trade off some GPS accuracy for
longer life as you'd expect. One thing they and Tom's Guide
note is that if you use the Always on Display setting that
(10:32):
battery life will naturally takea hit.
Of course, how does it compare to others like Koros who are
known for battery? Yeah, Koros often leads the pack
there. The 5K runner suggests the
sentel runs. Battery is respectable,
especially given its size and that power hungry AMOLED screen,
but maybe not quite chart topping like some Chorus models.
(10:52):
OK, respectable is good. Now accuracy.
When you're out running, how good is the data?
GPS part rate? What did the 5K runner find?
GPS accuracy gets a generally positive assessment from the 5K
runner. They put that down to using that
same Sony chipset from Sunto's more expensive watches.
Right, you mentioned that. Yeah, so in their tests and
(11:12):
Tom's Guide seemed to find something similar.
The GPS tracks were generally consistent, followed paths well,
didn't show major weirdness. Pretty reliable for route
tracking. Good and wrist heart rate.
The Achilles heel of many watches.
Yes, well, the 5K runner and again Tom's Guide had similar
findings. Said it was mostly reliable
during steady runs, but they didnotice occasional sort of
(11:36):
unexplained high readings or spikes, especially when
intensity changed quickly. So maybe not perfect for
interval training based purely on wrist HR.
Possibly not for super precise zone targeting, no.
The recommendation from the 5K runner, which is pretty standard
advice really, is If you need the most accurate heart rate
data for your training, pairing the watch with a chest strap is
(11:57):
still the way to go. Right, makes sense.
Consistent advice there. OK, Any other cool features or
things worth mentioning that the5K runner highlighted?
Yeah, definitely re emphasising the weight, just 36 grammes,
very light and comfortable according to them.
The quality of that AMOLED screen gets another mentioned
bright Clearwater resistance. Is 50 metres so fine for
swimming or running in heavy rain?
(12:19):
Good. What about daily tracking sleep
steps? It does all the usual daily
activity tracking, steps, calories and sleep analysis.
Although some sources, includingthe 5K runner I think noted
maybe some inconsistencies or potential inaccuracies in the
sleep tracking compared to otherdevices.
Steps might also read a bit lower on the sunto.
(12:40):
OK, so maybe not its strongest suit.
Maybe not quite as refined as some others there.
It's got Bluetooth of course, for headphones and external
sensors like heart rate monitorsand importantly, the 5K runner
highlights. The app integration connects
easily to Strava Training Peaks other platforms via the Sento
app. So you can get your data out
easily. Yeah, and the Sento app itself
(13:01):
offers quite detailed analysis powered by training peaks
insights, apparently. Plus you get the basic smart
stuff, phone notifications, weather forecast, useful extras.
OK. Covers a lot so flipping it
around based on the 5K runners review, what are the main things
the centre run is missing compared to competitors or
pricier options? Just to be clear on the
trade-offs. Right.
(13:22):
So number one is definitely those on board maps.
Just bread crumbs, remember? Then there's the lack of
advanced smart features like music streaming or widespread
contactless payments that you find on some garments.
Music storage is also limited to4GB and it's just that basic MP3
drag and drop. Another thing the 5K runner
noted is the absence of sun to plus sport apps.
(13:44):
Those little add-ons for extra data fields you get on other
CentOS. We mentioned the potentially
less accurate sleep tracking andmaybe lower step counts.
And one for the cyclists or triathletes.
The 5K runner points out there'sno support for cycling power
metres. That's reserved for Sinto's more
expensive multi sport watches. OK, that's a clear list of
(14:04):
what's not included. So really bringing it all
together based on the 5K runnersdeep dive, what's the final
picture? In essence, the 5K Runner paints
the Sinto Run as a really strongcontender in its price bracket.
It's really lightweight, has that great AMOLED screen, and
crucially, delivers the core running features that most
runners actually need and use day-to-day.
(14:25):
The position is a compelling alternative, especially if you
value simplicity, ease of use, and maybe the sunto aesthetic
over having every single smart feature, end of the sun or
needing onboard maps. Right, so for you listening as
you process all this, it really boils down to weighing those
specific trade-offs, doesn't it?Is the basic music OK for you?
Can you live without detailed maps?
Are contactless payments a must have?
(14:48):
You need to balance that againstthe attractive price, the
lightweight and that focus on delivering the running
essentials well, which the 5K runner seem to really
appreciate. Exactly.
And maybe that leads us to a final thought to chew on.
We see so many wearables packingin more and more features,
becoming these complex risk computers.
Is there actually a strong case for a more dedicated running
(15:10):
watch like the Sunto Run? One that, as the 5K runner
suggests, focuses on doing the core job really well without
overwhelming you? Because that actually be a
smarter choice for your focus training that a watch that tries
to do everything. What really counts is enough
features for your running. Something to definitely consider
what's essential versus what's just extra noise.
(15:30):
Great point to end on. Thanks for breaking down that
Sento run review with us.
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