Suunto has published a Q2 software wrap-up covering features released, rolling out or being expanded across Race 2, Vertical 2 and Ocean.
Maps are the main update
The Q1 2026 update made some improvements around maps and navigation. The Q2 update continues in the same fashion. The release notes highlight track back navigation, richer offline maps, improved climb guidance, smart turn-by-turn zooming, off-route guidance and improved off-route detection.
The richer maps add contour lines with elevation labels, place names and special location icons. That should make the watches more useful when navigating without a phone, especially on trails or in unfamiliar places.
Off-route guidance is also more useful. Instead of simply telling you that you have left the route, the watch can show distance and direction back to it. That is the kind of change that helps when a path splits badly or a trail becomes unclear.
Climb guidance has also been refined. Distance and climb-based zooming should make the map easier to read during hillier sessions, where the next climb often matters more than the next kilometre.
Suunto is also highlighting additional map improvements, including street names, river names and lake names. There is a trade-off, of course. More labels can make a small display busier. Suunto’s answer is map layer control, so users can choose what type of information appears on the watch map.
The Suunto app is also getting attention. The company is highlighting improved 3D elevation views and a city map type with 3D buildings, which should help with route planning and orientation when travelling.
Routes and ascent targets fit Suunto’s audience
Suunto says it is increasing route storage on the watch from 15 routes to 200. That is a practical change for users who travel, race, hike or keep several routes ready.
The old limit always felt tight for a navigation-first watch. More storage means less route housekeeping before a trip and fewer last-minute sync decisions in the app.
Ascent targets are another addition. Users can set a vertical gain target for a running session, such as 800 metres or 1,000 metres, then follow progress during the workout.
Ocean gets the clearest dive update
Suunto Ocean has the most clearly defined device-specific changes. Its Q2 update adds a tide widget, dive view customisation, a dynamic depth graph, stopwatch support in dive views and the option to link two tank pods to the same gas.
The tank pod change is useful for sidemount diving, where a diver may want to monitor two tank pressures during the same dive. Suunto has also added a pressure difference alarm and a water type setting for scuba diving.
SuuntoPlus also gets a brief mention, with Suunto saying around 30 sport-specific add-ons have been added over the past three months. Useful, but the bigger story here is still maps, routes and Ocean dive tools.
