Sometimes, all you need is just a watch. As we move into the great power competition, troops are concerned about their electronic signature and the CORE Alpha Stealth was built with this in mind. It doesn’t transmit any signals and it doesn’t collect information about where you’ve been. It’s just an ABC watch with core Altitude, Barometric pressure and Compass features.
In fact, the CORE Alpha Stealth was designed based on this request from an end user:
“I need a rugged ABC watch that is mission ready and ready for navigation at night. The watch should be robust, Night Vision Goggle compatible, and powered by a replaceable battery. It must be able to operate with no internet, BT, or geo- positioning support”
It retains all of the features of the popular CORE:
• Altimeter, Barometer, Compass
• Storm alarm
• Depth meter
• Sunrise/sunset times
• Dual time
• User replaceable battery – 1 year battery life, no charging
The CORE Alpha Stealth model adds these features:
• Red backlight / Night Vision goggle friendly
• Florescent Indicators on the bezel for nighttime navigation
It is made in Finland and tested to military standards (MIL-STD-810). Although, the CORE Alpha Stealth’s nylon NATO-Style strap is Berry compliant.
I have been wearing one for a couple of weeks now and I really like the watch’s functionality. However, a bit of a warning; when you first take it out of the box, the buttons beep when depressed. Be sure to switch this option off. Instructions are in the manual and it’s the second step during initial set up so you shouldn’t miss it.
There’s a also button lock feature which can come in really handy in preventing unwanted changes to functions when you’re doing a lot with your hands.
See the new CORE Alpha Stealth today at the Warrior West Expo in San Diego, California.
Suunto products are available for unit and agency sales through ADS.
The new Suunto CORE Alpha Stealth is also available from Tactical Distributors and US Elite.
The Suunto CORE Alpha Stealth is subjected to this MIL-STD-810 Testing:
Test Method 500.6 Low Pressure (Altitude)
Test Method 501.7 High Temperature, operational Test Method 502.7 Low Temperature, operational Test Method 503.7 Temperature Shock
Test Method 507.6 Humidity
Test Method 510.7 Dust
Test Method 516.8 Shock
Test Method 516.8 Drop
Test Method 521.4 Icing/Freezing Rain
Suunto – Made in Finland but owned by a Chinese company based in Fujian China
Garmin – Made in Taiwan and owned by an American company based in Kansas
“As we move into the great power competition” choose who you want to support.
I’m always relieved to see that the point is lost on commenters. Thanks for not letting me down.
Garmin is a great company, but their devices provide a digital record of a great deal of data which can be exploited. That is of concern to many. Hence, this watch.
If you’re going to get in the weeds, why did you fail to mention Garmin’s recent ransomware attack?
So SSD, are you saying that the OP failed to mention something about Garmin which is more negative than him pointing out a product which is made by a communist regime with human rights abuses? Just wondering? As far as the Garmin ransomware attack, there is nothing there which is more negative than his original statement.
Keep up the good work on the site, great resource.
And, I made a typo. So before the flame, I meant being owned by a communist regime with human rights abuses.
Yeah, he missed the point. Why was this watch created? To be a watch. I see you’ve missed it as well.
While I’m a user of Garmin products and services, there was a direct impact on Operations due to the ransomware attack. What was a larger immediate threat? Loss of GPS data or the Chinese doing what the Chinese do?
Be sure to tell us which device to use to interact with the internet so that we won’t use devices with ties to the PRC.
Stop throwing up the red herring of using a Chinese made device to access the internet. Two wrongs don’t cancel each other out. People are becoming more aware of the threat China poses. People are companies are making efforts to not buy Chinese goods, and many companies, including Apple are slowly moving out of China. Eliminating usage of Chinese products can’t be don’t overnight, but people can choose not to buy Chinese products going forward.
Besides, people should just buy a G-Shock, with solar power and atomic time. Those watches aren’t made in China and will outlast anything else. Since there is only a receiver for the atomic time, it likely has a very low signature.
Watches?
QPL-46374
MIL-PRF-46374G NOT 3
If anyone is interested in the standard US Milspec Watch it is made by Marathon. https://www.marathonwatch.com/collections/land
They have simple and fancy. Mainly mechanical variants.
It is important to be aware of the individual digital signal footprint on the battle field. I use a Pro-Trek Watch that can sync with time systems around the world. If I were going into a theatre I would leave it at home and use a mechanical watch. Who ever you work for needs to supply the right nav gear. All I have to say is COMSEC, SIGNALSEC and EW, for which I am no expert.
It’s not a red herring. It’s reality and it’s the “oh crap, my argument certainly is ironic,” point.
As for G-Shock, they make a great watch but many of their models are Made in China.
Because socialist Japan has such a great human rights record too…
No, I didn’t miss anything. I get it. I didn’t take it like some on here took it.
Stay Vigilant.
available when?
I’m just big maf as Suunto because I still have a broken X-Lander watch that I’d been trying to get fixed the entire time it was under warranty and NOBODY would call, text, email, smoke signal, or telegraph back. Like…EVER. It sits atop the pile-o-broken-tcrap in my garage as this missive is penned. A testament to the quality, craftsmanship, and service (or lack thereof…)
Now that is a reason to be pissed.
I am a big fan of the original Core series and just picked a replacement. Aside from the fabric band replacing the rubberized (prone to breakage) band, how else is this watch any different from the Suunto Core Black that we have been using for the last decade?
https://www.suunto.com/Products/sports-watches/Suunto-Core/Suunto-Core-All-Black/
Also an ABC, no connectivity, replaceable batteries etc.
‘Prone to breakage’? I’d say guaranteed. I spent more on new Suunto bands, some requiring factory replacement, than the actual hardware. The systems are good but the maintenance has been a stooge and has been for years. Never again.
I’m with you on the bands. I was always on the look-out for spare bands when I had an Observer. Then it died so I threw my spare bands away. Then I refurbished my Vector with a $70 case from some guy in Argentina. Now I wear a Marathon.
I have worn the Core “military” edition since 2011. It’s when the negative dial came out. I don’t see any difference between this one and their normal core other than NVG compatible backlight. But this seems to be advertised as though is was thought up and created brand new, am I missing some notes?
If you work with, do business with, or purchase from a publicly traded company, their shareholders include Chinese, Russian, and Saudis. You are involved with them. You support them. Every single company on this website subsidizes your enemies. Hell, this website wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Chinese manufacturing since it relies on computers.
When will it be up for order?