Garmin Fenix, Suunto - April 2, 2025

Garmin vs Suunto: GPS Watch Map Comparison

If you're comparing GPS watches for outdoor navigation, one of the most important features to consider is the quality of the maps. In this video, we take a close look at the mapping capabilities of two of the most popular models on the market: the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED and the Suunto Race (Steel version). Both are premium GPS watches with bright AMOLED displays, excellent tracking features, and robust outdoor performance—but when it comes to map detail and usability, there are some key differences worth noting.

🎥 Watch the full video above to see the maps in action and decide which GPS watch suits your adventures.

Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED: Detailed Maps with Routing and Labels

The Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED comes preloaded with TopoActive Europe maps, covering the entire continent. These maps include street names, contour lines, paths, and even points of interest, making it easier to navigate in both urban and rural environments. One standout feature of Garmin's mapping is routable data. This allows you to search for destinations—such as a village, landmark, or café—and get turn-by-turn directions, similar to a car sat nav.

The Fenix 8 also supports other map types, including ski resort maps, and lets you download additional regions worldwide. While this advanced routing is brilliant for cycling and road-based activities, it can sometimes divert you off ideal walking routes if you're exploring public footpaths or trail networks in the UK. Nevertheless, the presence of street labels and navigable trails is a big advantage for many users.

Suunto Race: Smoother, Simpler, and Fast-Rendering Maps

The Suunto Race may not include street labels or live routable data, but its mapping is incredibly smooth and quick to render, even when zooming or panning. This makes for a more fluid, user-friendly experience, especially when navigating on foot in remote areas. The Suunto app lets you easily download maps by region via Wi-Fi—allowing you to customise the maps you need for specific areas like Great Britain, Ireland, or even the Channel Islands.

While you won’t get street names or turn-by-turn directions, the Suunto maps are detailed with buildings, trails, roads, and contour lines, providing everything a walker or trail runner typically needs. We particularly like how buildings are marked more clearly on Suunto than on Garmin, and the interface feels intuitive with the use of the scroll wheel for zooming, which works faster than Garmin’s buttons or touchscreen.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Usability and Interface

Position Indicator: Garmin shows your location in the bottom third of the screen, while Suunto keeps you centred on the map.
Map Movement: The Suunto Race outperforms Garmin in speed and responsiveness when panning across the map.
Zooming: Garmin uses plus/minus buttons and touchscreen zoom, while Suunto features a fast scroll wheel, which many users find quicker and easier.
Compass Orientation: Garmin displays the north pointer at the top left; Suunto shows it in the bottom right.

In indoor tests, Garmin showed a bit of lag when loading new map tiles (brief white screens), especially when panning quickly. Suunto, in contrast, was much smoother, with almost no lag even when zoomed in.

Map Content and Clarity

Both watches offer colourful, detailed maps with good visibility, even in bright conditions. Garmin's inclusion of points of interest, roads with names, and its turn-by-turn navigation make it particularly attractive for those who want more built-in guidance. Suunto’s advantage lies in its clean design, high-speed rendering, and clear trail markings, making it an excellent choice for walkers, hikers, and ultra runners who value simplicity and performance.

Both watches show contour lines, but Suunto’s were easier to see during our tests. Garmin's map features can feel slightly busier at times, depending on zoom level and location.

How to Get the Most from Each Watch

With Garmin, you’re ready to go out of the box, thanks to preloaded maps. You can also download additional areas via Wi-Fi if needed.
With Suunto, maps must be manually downloaded via the Suunto app and Wi-Fi. This gives you flexibility over map regions, but it does take a few extra steps. For those with decent Wi-Fi, the process is straightforward and lets you pick and choose exactly where you’ll be exploring.

Final Thoughts

Both the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED and the Suunto Race are superb GPS watches, but their mapping features cater to different types of users:

Garmin Fenix 8: Best for those who want turn-by-turn navigation, POI search, and street name detail—great for cyclists and general outdoor use.
Suunto Race: Ideal for users who want a fast, responsive mapping experience with clear trail information and superior visual clarity, especially in off-grid scenarios.