Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have had my Suunto Core for over 6 YEARS now. Over 6 years of daily use, seriously, this thing has not leave my wrist. I am an enlisted military service member with 11+ years in the infantry, I am also a firefighter/paramedic for one of the busiest departments in the country. Needless to say I have put this watch through its paces and have abused the life out of it. It has been through hell and back to include military deployments to Iraq and Africa (year long deployments). It has been inside burning houses, heavy interior fire fighting inside structures, car fires, in the ocean on shallow dives, in rivers, on hikes and countless of other events.... This watch has seen it all for the last 6 years and still running strong. I have read negatives about straps and other things but I have to say mine has been nothing but great to me. Yes, I have ripped of the small strap band. I contacted Suunto about maybe sending me a new one, figured its such a small piece they can provide for free. Well, they wanted me to buy all new straps that run about $60. I did not want to buy a new pair of straps just for that so I made my own out of 550 cord. That 550 has been on it for about 4 years with no issues. The top current review on this watch claims the band is fragile , dry rots and cracks. Guess what, I have yet to change out my bands...6 years later!!! They are flimsy and extremely broken in now, might be time for a swap but won't do it until these fail me. The battery life is good on it as long as you don't leave unnecessary features on all the time. For instance, I do not need to know if the watch senses a storm coming in or a change in pressure. I turn on when I am in the field if needed but until than that is off, no need for the chirping. Do things like this extends my battery life. I swap batteries about 1-2 times a year, thats it. Overall, I love this watch and will continue to wear it everyday. I have had friends buy them and feel the same way. I get slightly jealous when I see a new one, they look nice when new and pitch black features, but wouldn't trade my broken in, scarred up, battle worn one for anything. Just take a look at some of my pictures. You can clearly see I have shown no mercy to this thing. I am currently overseas again....and STILL wearing this.