Suunto 7: Sleep Tracking And So Much More

Sleep tracking is a feature offered by many smartwatch brands, including Suunto. Suunto's sleep tracking feature is based on movement and uses an accelerometer to detect movement from the wrist. The watch detects sleep based on the user's bedtime and their movements within that timeframe. While the feature is not native to the Suunto 7, it can be enabled by installing a third-party app. Users can set their sleep targets and view a summary of their sleep duration, awake time, and deep sleep time. However, it is important to note that all sleep measurements are estimates and may not always accurately reflect actual sleep habits.

Suunto 7 does track sleep but requires an additional app

The Suunto 7 does offer sleep-tracking capabilities, but this feature is not native to the device. To access sleep tracking on the Suunto 7, you will need to install a third-party app. One popular option for Android/WearOS is 'Sleep as Android', which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Sleep tracking on the Suunto 7, facilitated by third-party apps, utilises an accelerometer to measure sleep duration. This motion sensor detects movement from your wrist to determine whether you are sleeping, awake, or in deep sleep. The watch takes into account your bedtime, which consists of the earliest time you usually go to sleep and the latest time you usually wake up.

By enabling sleep tracking and setting your bedtime, you can receive a summary of your sleep when you wake up. This summary includes the total duration of sleep, estimated awake time (based on significant movement), and deep sleep time (indicated by a lack of movement). It's important to note that all sleep measurements are based solely on movement and may not always accurately reflect your actual sleep habits.

To access the Sleep display on your Suunto device, press the lower right button on the watch face until you see the sleep information. Here, you can view your latest sleep summary and compare it to your sleep target. Additionally, you can press and hold the middle button to access sleep tracking settings and make any necessary adjustments.

While the Suunto 7 does support sleep tracking with the help of additional apps, it's worth noting that some users have shared mixed experiences with the accuracy of this feature. Some users have reported that the Suunto sleep tracking function has missed start and awake times or recorded reading time as sleep time. Therefore, if sleep tracking is a primary feature for your needs, it may be worth considering other options or exploring the various apps available to find one that suits your requirements.

Sleep duration is measured via an accelerometer

Sleep tracking is an important feature for many people, and the Suunto 7 does offer sleep tracking. This is how it works: sleep duration is measured via an accelerometer, a motion-sensor that detects movement from your wrist. The accelerometer is a low-cost and reasonably accurate tool for measuring sleep. It is a wearable device that is both convenient and simple to use.

The accelerometer measures sleep by detecting the sleep period time window (SPT-window). This is the time window starting when you first fall asleep and ending when you wake up for the last time that night. The accelerometer can also be used to detect sleep episodes within this window. This is done by using a heuristic algorithm to detect sleep from the accelerometer data.

The Suunto 7 uses your bedtime and your movements within that timeframe to detect if you are sleeping. Your bedtime consists of two values: the earliest time you usually go to sleep and the latest time you usually wake up. The watch determines when you are in deep sleep (no movement) and when you are awake (significant movement) based on your movement during the night.

The use of accelerometers for sleep tracking has been validated through experiments in daily life and by comparing the results with sleep diary records and polysomnography (PSG) data. PSG is considered the gold standard for sleep measurement but it is expensive and labor-intensive. Accelerometry offers a less expensive and more convenient alternative, especially for non-sleep clinic settings.

Bedtimes must be set to accurately track sleep

To accurately track sleep with the Suunto 7, it is important to set your bedtime in the watch settings. This is because the watch uses your bedtime settings to determine your typical sleep time and identify when you are sleeping. Your bedtime settings consist of two values: the earliest time you usually go to sleep and the latest time you usually wake up. By setting these values, the watch can identify sleep based on your movements within that timeframe.

It is worth noting that the Suunto 7 may only record one sleep period per 24 hours. Therefore, if you go to bed before your set bedtime or take naps during the day, the watch may not recognise this as a sleep session. For example, if you have a nap in the afternoon, the watch may not record it. This is a limitation of the Suunto 7 compared to other models, such as the Suunto 9, which allows you to set specific sleep hours for tracking.

To set up sleep tracking on the Suunto 7, you can activate the feature through the Suunto Sleep Tile or the Suunto Wear app. From the watch face, swipe right to access the Suunto Sleep Tile and follow the on-screen instructions. Alternatively, open the Suunto Wear app, scroll down to Diary > Sleep > Sleep Tracking, and enable the feature. Once sleep tracking is enabled, you can set your bedtime and sleep target accordingly.

In addition to setting your bedtime, you can also set a bedtime reminder on the Suunto 7. This reminder will notify you 30 minutes before your bedtime, helping you stay on track with your sleep schedule. By setting both your bedtime and a bedtime reminder, you can ensure that the Suunto 7 accurately tracks your sleep and provides valuable insights into your sleep patterns.

Sleep tracking can be accessed via the Sleep display

Sleep tracking is a feature available on the Suunto 7, although it is not a native feature. To access this function, you will need to install a third-party app. One such app is 'Sleep as Android', which is popular for Android/WearOS.

Once you have enabled sleep tracking, you can set your sleep target. This is done by setting your bedtime, which consists of two values: the earliest time you usually go to sleep and the latest time you usually wake up. A typical adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per day, but your ideal amount may vary.

All sleep measurements are based on movement and are, therefore, estimates that may not always reflect your actual sleep habits. For example, if it takes you a while to fall asleep or if you stay in bed after you wake up, the watch may assume you are sleeping when you are not.

Sleep tracking is not a native feature of the Suunto 7

While the Suunto 7 does offer sleep tracking, it is not a native feature of the device. This means that, out of the box, the Suunto 7 will not be able to track your sleep without first installing a third-party app. One such app that is popular for Android/WearOS is 'Sleep as Android', which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

It is worth noting that, once you have enabled sleep tracking, you can set your sleep target. Typically, an adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per day, though individual needs may vary. When you wake up, you will be presented with a summary of your sleep, including the total duration, the estimated time you were awake (moving around), and the time you were in deep sleep (no movement).

To access this information from the watch face, press the lower right button until you see the Sleep display. Here, you can view your latest sleep summary and compare it to your sleep target. It is important to remember that all sleep measurements are based solely on movement and are, therefore, estimates that may not accurately reflect your actual sleep habits.

For example, if you go to bed before your designated bedtime or wake up after it, the watch will not count that as a sleep session. Additionally, if it takes you a while to fall asleep or if you don't get up immediately when you wake up, the watch may assume you are sleeping when you are not. As a result, the sleep tracking feature may not be suitable for individuals who take time to fall asleep or who tend to linger in bed after waking up.

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