It's a busy day for heart rate monitor manufacturer Suunto, with the release of two brand new watches. First up, the Core Extreme Edition Red packs the kind of features that would prove to be dead handy on a ride. Inside the sleek and compact watch hides an altimeter (accurate to 29,500 feet), barometer and compass so that information such as current elevation and elevation gained/lost can be provided on the clear display.

Watch functions include time, dual time, date, alarm, sports chronograph and a countdown timer. The automatic altimeter/ barometer mode switches between altimeter and barometer depending on the activity and so shows the most relevant information for each situation.

Next up, the Vector HR takes the compass, barometer and altimeter features from the Core but adds heart rate monitoring functions to make it an ideal training tool.

Interestingly, the compass can be set to track a certain bearing and graphically show the difference between that and the actual bearing. And for those mountain training sessions the altimeter can be used to track vertical speed and works with the heart rate functions so you can track your progess.

Both watches will be available from November 2009.

www.suunto.com/outdoor