According to Suunto the "Vector is the first groundbreaking model of Suunto sports instruments. It is the answer to the outdoor enthusiasts all over the world to the needs of gathering information of their playground, whether it is in the mountains, on bike tracks, on skiing slopes or in other exciting activities. The Vector combines an altimeter, barometer, and an electronic compass with all the features of a sophisticated sports watch. Vector - for the demanding outdoors enthusiast."

Hard to argue with that really, but as I was handed the Vector for testing in a beer garden in Berlin at the wrong end of the night, without instruction booklet it took a quick trip to Suunto's web site (www.suunto.com) to download the manual the next day. A quick click here and I had it. It took about 10 minutes to print and actually comes out at twice the size of the standard manual due to the original being a handy, if not exactly pocket size, back pack size brochure. With a bit of deft folding my A4 version quickly became backpack sized too. I then clicked on the handy demo section so I didn't have to read the manual I had just spent 20 minutes making. It is here.

Wristop features

Some of the Vector's handy features (if you happen to be Chris Bonnington, or like me, an 'adventure' fisherman) are altimeter, electronic compass, barometer and of course, a watch.

If you make getting lost a particularly common occurrence, this watch can do you no end of good on the provision that you know how to use a compass and that there doesn't happen to be any moss on the north side of the trees in your area (or in the case of Scotland; no trees at all and a cloudy and rainy sky 365 days a year).

I usually don't have any problems getting lost due to an early school years experiment with electrodes, a salmon and a pigeon, but that's another story. Suffice to say, I have an uncommonly good sense of direction. However, I can't yet see in fog (hence the latter day experiments with a dolphin, a bat and some even bigger electrodes) and this is where the compass comes in handy.

I checked the accuracy against my diving compass (also Suunto but mechanical type on the end of the Cobra computer unit – very good computer by the way) and it was spot on. North was indeed where north should have been even if I wasn't. A good start. A quick push of the bottom left hand side button changes the time over to compass for about 8-10 seconds, which is handy if you are just a little bit lost and need a quick reminder. If you are really lost, it can be set to constant compass mode, just to rub in that you really are very lost. A compass is very handy with a map but it doesn't come with a build in one of those, so take your own OS.

On the level

The display has to be held level for a correct reading and this is made very simple by having a small spirit level in the glass (which is, in fact plastic). There is also a revolving bezel but on the particular model I have, Paul has managed to get so much sand in there that it's a little stiff. The bezel could do with a bit more in the way of texture, which would make it both easier to turn and more user friendly. With sweaty fingers it would have been impossible. I had to use my whole palm instead of fingers.

And it has a barometer! If you happen to have spent your school Friday afternoons sailing and taking a CSE in Meteorology instead of taking General Studies and extra English (I could speak English quite well at school, even if it's ropey now) then you will know that a barometer, in the right hands can be a tool and not just a pose. It works on the very loose principle that if the atmospheric pressure is falling, the weather will get worse, and if it's rising, it will get better but if you ask someone if this is so who just happens to be in the eye of a hurricane, he'll tell you it is just not true.

Generally, if you can remember what the thing said yesterday, and you can see that it is falling today, then it's going to rain. (A small indicator tracks the current barometric trends for you, so that you can concentrate on the more important things, such as finding your raincoat - Paul, who has the instruction manual :-) )

On the rise

The altimeter is more useful. But only just. If it came in foggy while in the mountains it could be used against an OS map to check that you had indeed just fallen off a cliff.

The Vector also tells the time and has three (?) alarms. It has a comfortable, well-built strap, is lightweight, and is a trendy yellow colour and also comes in green or black. The buttons are easily used with cold fingers and the display is big enough even for those with failing eyesight. It also has a light in case you can't figure out how to use the thing and are still in the wilds of nowhere at 3 am. (not a problem in Lapland in the summer, by the way)

It's waterproof to 30 meters, which is deeper than any chest waders I know of. If you do actually get to 30 meters whilst fishing – R.I.P.

And because it's made by Suunto, it also has 500 other features you will never use but the Finns put in there anyway.

Other models in the range come with clinometers (so when you say to your mate that "This is bloody steep!" you can back it up with hard evidence). A pulse meter, which would come in use for when you hook the 'big one'. Finally, it has a chronometer so you can time the fight down to 1/1000th of a second for bragging in the pub, later.

If you are someone who fishes in the wild, likes fishing natural lochs and tarns for browns, small streams that disappear into forests and new places, then the Vector may be just for you. - Carl Hutchinson

Carl Hutchinson (info@corporateflyrods.com) engineer and entrepreneur, has flyfished more countries than anyone else alive, owns three passports and lives out of Berlin ("because of the women"). He has a completely unique understanding of the limitations of the motorcar or even what one is. He owns Corporate Flyrods and has worked out how to get 40 hours out of the normal 24 and still go fishing.

The Suunto Vector retails for £139.99

The Suunto Vector is available through the Sexyloops Tackleshop along with all the other Suunto Wristops. If we don't use it, we don't sell it. That's our personal guarantee.