Suunto M3 User manual

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Suunto Website www.suunto.com
EN

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GETTING STARTED WITH SUUNTO M3 ...........................................................3
1.1.GETTING FAMILIAR WITH SUUNTO M3 .....................................................3
1.2.FIRST STEPS WITH SUUNTO M3 ................................................................4
2. USING RACE TIMER ..........................................................................................5
2.1.SYNCHRONIZING THE COUNTDOWN TIMER ...........................................6
2.2.ADDING A SPLIT TIME MARK DURING THE RACE ...................................6
2.3.USING THE BUTTON LOCK .........................................................................7
3. DETERMINING FAVORED END OF START LINE .............................................8
4. CALCULATING COURSE TO NEXT MARK .....................................................10
5. USING CHRONO AND SETTING ALARMS ......................................................12
5.1.USING CHRONO .........................................................................................12
5.2.SETTING AN ALARM ..................................................................................12
6. CUSTOMIZING SUUNTO M3 ............................................................................14
6.1.CHANGING GENERAL SETTINGS ............................................................14
6.2.CHANGING TIMER SETTINGS ...................................................................14
7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE .............................................................................15
7.1.WATER RESISTANCE ................................................................................15
7.2.REPLACING THE BATTERY ......................................................................16
8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................19
9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS ...............................................................................20
10. LIMITS OF LIABILITY ........................................................................................21
11. AFTER SALES SERVICE ..................................................................................22

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1. GETTING STARTED WITH SUUNTO M3
This instruction manual guides you to use all the features of the Suunto M3, a wristop
computer designed for competetive boat racing.
1.1. GETTING FAMILIAR WITH SUUNTO M3
The Suunto M3 has two main displays: the Time and Timer displays. You can switch
between the displays by long pressing (more than 1 seconds) the MODE button. The
picture below shows the Suunto M3 button assignments:
CHRONO
MODE
ENTER
UP (START/STOP)
DOWN (SYNC)

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1.2. FIRST STEPS WITH SUUNTO M3
Taking the Suunto M3 into use the first time is
simple: all you need to do is set the current date
and time:
1. While the Suunto M3 is displaying time, press
the ENTER button to open the menu.
2. Use the UP or DOWN button to select the
Time item from the menu.
3. Press ENTER to select the highlighted item.
4. Again, select Time and press ENTER.
5. Adjust the full hours by pressing the UP/
DOWN buttons.
6. Press ENTER to accept and to move forward.
7. Press MODE to return to the time view.
After setting the time, select Date from the menu
and repeat the above.
Your Suunto M3 is now ready for use.
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2. USING RACE TIMER
The Suunto M3 helps you to optimize the timing for the race start so that you can
cross the start line at the right time. This helps you get ahead of your opponents and
avoid turbulence from the other boats in front of you.
TIP: While waiting for the race start, you can use the Suunto M3 chronograph
to estimate the time to reach the start line by taking practice starts.
The race timer helps you to follow the official race start countdown.
1. Long press the MODE button to switch to the Timer view.
2. Press ENTER and select Start time.
3. Enter the countdown time with the UP/DOWN buttons. For example, if the official
signal is given 5 minutes before the start, enter 5.
4. At the official signal, press UP to start the countdown on the Suunto M3.
TIP: You can set the timer to repeat the countdown. This is useful if there are
several race starts, for example, for different boat classes. Long press ENTER
to turn the repeat on/off. This can be done both when the timer is running or
when it is stopped. After the start, long pressing DOWN turns the repeat off and
allows you to view the actual race time.
TIP: You can stop the timer with a long press of the UP button. Now press UP
to start the timer again or long press UP to reset the timer if the start is
recalled/rerun for some reason.
5. When the countdown timer reaches 00:00, Suunto M3 starts displaying the elapsed
race time. Long press UP to stop the race time.
TIP: You can also set the countdown timer to start automatically to count to
predefined date and time. To set the timer, press ENTER and select Count to
from the menu.

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2.1. SYNCHRONIZING THE COUNTDOWN TIMER
Suunto M3 allows you to synchronize the timer to the official countdown even after
the countdown has started. This is very useful if you are distracted when the official 5
minute signal is given, causing a delay in starting the timer in Suunto M3. Once the
timer is running, synchronizing is done as follows:
1. Wait and be prepared to the next official signal (such as the 4 or 1 minute signal).
2. At the signal, immediately press the DOWN button.
The timer jumps downward to the full minute and continues the countdown.
TIP: By default, pressing DOWN makes the timer jump downward to the
nextfull minute (for example, from 03.50 to 03.00 and from 03.20 to 03.00).
You can also set Suunto M3 to synchronize to the closest full minute (for
example, from 03:50 to 04:00). See section 6.2 for how to do this setting.
2.2. ADDING A SPLIT TIME MARK DURING THE RACE
You can store split times, for example, when you pass a mark during the race. The
stored times can be viewed after the race with the Logbook.
1. While the race time is running, press ENTER and select Add mark to store a split
time.
2. The new split time and the time elapsed from the previous split time are shown on
the display briefly.
3. After the race, press ENTER and select Logbook to view the stored marks.
NOTE: Up to 10 separate logs can be stored in the Suunto M3 memory. When
the memory is full, a new log automatically replaces the oldest log in the
memory.

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2.3. USING THE BUTTON LOCK
In order to prevent accidental off synchronization of the race timer, you can activate or
switch off the Suunto M3 button lock by pressing first the ENTER and then the
CHRONO button within 3 seconds.
Note that the key lock only disables the following actions: starting the race timer,
stopping the countdown or race time and synchronizing the countdown.

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3. DETERMINING FAVORED END OF START LINE
Before a race starts, the wind direction may have shifted and is no longer aligned with
the starting line. The Suunto M3 helps you to determine the favored end of the start
line.
1.Head to wind and check your bearing
from the boat compass.
Example: bearing to wind is 15°.
2.Adjust the Suunto M3 rotating bezel so
that the upwind bearing is parallel to the
black triangle on the inner ring.
15°

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3.Steer the boat along the starting line
and check your bearing from the boat
compass.
Example: the bearing is 75°.
4.Find the bearing on the Suunto M3
rotating bezel and refer to the inner ring:
• if the bearing is on the plus (+) sector,
you are steering towards the favored end
of the starting line
• if the bearing is on the minus (-) sector,
you are steering away from the favored
end of the starting line
Example: the 75° bearing is on the plus
(+) sector, meaning that you are heading
towards the favored end.
75°
+
75°

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4. CALCULATING COURSE TO NEXT MARK
Setting the bearing to the next mark on the race is sometimes difficult due to poor
visibility. Suunto M3 allows you to calculate the bearing to the next race marker in
advance, before you reach the turning point. This way you can steer to the correct
direction as soon as possible.
The calculation is based on the standard turning angles (30°, 45°, 60°) depending on
the race course.
1.Steer directly toward the first mark and
check your current bearing from the boat
compass.
Example: the bearing to the first mark is 15°.
2.Adjust the Suunto M3 rotating bezel so that
your bearing is parallel to the black triangle
on the inner ring.
60
°
15
°

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3. Find the appropriate turning angle
degree from the inner ring and read
the bearing to the following mark from
the Suunto M3 rotating bezel.
For example, if your course was 15° and
the turning angle to the next mark is 60°
to the left, the bearing to the next mark is
255°.
4. After passing the first mark, follow the
new bearing and repeat the
calculation to the next mark.
15
°
60
°
255°

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5. USING CHRONO AND SETTING ALARMS
You can use the Suunto M3 as a chronograph or as a tool to remind you of important
events with alarms.
5.1. USING CHRONO
You can use the chronograph in both the Time and the Timer displays.
1. Press the MODE button so that 0:00,0 is displayed on the bottom row.
2. Press CHRONO to start the chrono.
TIP: You can switch between the Time display and the Timer display without
disturbing a running chrono by long pressing the MODE button.
3. Press CHRONO to stop the chrono.
4. Press CHRONO again to reset the chrono.
TIP: While waiting for the race start, you can use the Suunto M3 chronograph
to estimate the time to reach the start line by taking practice starts.
The race timer helps you to follow the official race start countdown.
5.2. SETTING AN ALARM
You can set up to 3 different alarms to remind you of important events. When an
alarm is set, is displayed in the lower right corner of the display.
1. In the Time display, press ENTER and select Alarm from the menu.
2. Select one of the 3 alarms and press ENTER.
3. Set the alarm to On.
4. Set the time and date for the alarm with the UP/DOWN buttons. Press ENTER to
accept the values.

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TIP: If you leave the date empty, the alarm will go off every day at the same
time. If the date is set, the you will get one alarm on the specified date and the
alarm is then set to off.

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6. CUSTOMIZING SUUNTO M3
You can customize the Suunto M3 settings to fit your personal preferences.
6.1. CHANGING GENERAL SETTINGS
1. Press ENTER in the Time display and select General from the menu.
2. Select the setting you want to change:
•Tones: sets the key tones on/off
•Light: adjusts the backlight. There are three different settings:
• Normal: the light switches on for 7 seconds with a long press of the CHRONO
button or when an alarm is activated
• Off: the light does not switch on at all
• Night use: the light switches on for 7 seconds when you press any of the buttons
•Units: changes the way time and date are shown.
•Contrast: adjusts the display contrast.
6.2. CHANGING TIMER SETTINGS
1. Press ENTER in the Timer display and select Settings from the menu.
2. Select the setting you want to change and press ENTER
•Repeat: the timer countdown is restarted if the setting is On.
•Tones: With TONE SEQ you can define when a sound signal is given during count-
down, for example, with every full ten minutes or with every 10 seconds. With My
tone you can define a custom time for a signal.
Note that the tone selections are independent from each other.
•Sync: The default setting is Down: when the DOWN button is pressed, the timer is
set downwards to the next full minute. When set to Round, the timer is set to the
closest full minute.

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7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Care of the Suunto M3
Only perform the procedures described in this manual. Never attempt to disassemble
or service your Suunto M3. Protect it from shocks, extreme heat and prolonged
exposure to direct sunlight. Avoid rubbing your Suunto M3 against rough surfaces as
this may scratch the face. If not in use, store the Suunto M3 in a clean, dry
environment at room temperature.
After use or exposure to salt water, flush the Suunto M3 with water to remove the salt.
Turn the bezel ring and push the buttons while washing. Finally wipe your Suunto M3
clean and dry with a soft cloth. If there are persistent stains or marks, you can apply
mild soap to the area. Do not expose your Suunto M3 to strong chemicals such as
gasoline, cleaning solvents, acetone, alcohol, insect repellents, adhesives and paint,
as they will damage the unit's seals, case and finish.
7.1. WATER RESISTANCE
Suunto M3 is water-resistant and tested with ISO (International Organization for
Standardization, www.iso.ch) standard 2281. Suunto M3 is also marked with an
indication of a test overpressure given as a depth in meters (30 m/100 feet). This,
however, does not correspond to a diving depth but refers to the pressure at which
the water overpressure test was conducted.
This means that you cannot dive to a depth of 30 m/100 ft. with your Suunto M3.
Rain, showering, swimming and other normal exposure to water will not affect the
operation. However, do not press the buttons under water under any circumstances.
NOTE: The Suunto M3 is not meant for diving.

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7.2. REPLACING THE BATTERY
Your Suunto M3 operates on a 3-Volt lithium cell, type: CR 2032.
A low-battery warning indicator is activated on the display when approximately 5–15
percent of the battery capacity is still available. When this occurs, you should replace
the battery. However, extremely cold weather may activate the low battery-warning
indicator even when the battery is still fully operational. If the battery-warning indicator
is activated in temperatures above 10°C (50°F), replace the battery.
NOTE: Heavy use of the backlight will significantly reduce battery life.
You can replace the batteries yourself as long as you do it properly to avoid any
leakage of water into the battery compartment or computer. Always use original
battery replacement kits that include a new battery, battery lid, opening tool and O-
ring. You can purchase the battery kits from official Suunto retailers.
NOTE: Change the battery at your own risk and use the original Suunto
battery replacement kit. Suunto recommends you to have the batteries
changed in official Suunto services.
NOTE: When replacing the battery, also replace the battery lid and O-ring. Never use
the old ones.

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To replace the battery:
1. Insert the opening tool or a coin into the slot located on the battery compartment
cover on the backside of your Suunto M3.
2. Turn the tool/coin counterclockwise until it is aligned with the open position marker.
3. Remove the battery compartment cover and the O-ring, and discard them. Ensure
that all surfaces are clean and dry.
4. Remove the old battery carefully.
5. Place the new battery into the battery compartment under the metal flap, with the
positive side facing up.
6. With the O-ring in the correct position, replace the battery compartment cover and
turn it with the tool/coin clockwise until it is aligned with the closed position marker.
Make sure that the cover stays straight while turning it. Do not use force or press
the cover excessively.
NOTE: Perform battery replacement with extreme care to ensure that your Suunto
M3 remains water resistant. Careless battery replacement may void warranty.
WARNING: This Suunto product contains a Lithium cell. To reduce risk of fire or
burns, do not disassemble, crush, puncture, short external contacts, charge or dis-
pose of in fire or water. Replace only with manufacturer specified batteries. Recycle
or dispose of used batteries properly.
Refer to the pictures on the following page when changing the battery.

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