Re: Watch with a Compass/Altimeter/Thermometer

SteveO wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 22:58:25 -0000, "ab" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> >Hi All,
> >
> >Anybody know of any reviews or got any feed back on watches with a
> >compass/altimeter/thermometer?

My problem is that they change styles and model numbers so fast
I'm usually out of date by the time the question is asked.

> I have a Casio somethingorother that does the above (and more) and I
> do find its capabilities useful within the constraints of it being a
> jack-of-all-trades and a still primarily watch :-)

Exactly. It isn't a replacement for any particular device, merely a
handy compliment to existing tools. The compass feature is nice
when I just happen to want a compass reading and don't have one.
(Such as when I'm in the rental car trying to figure out my way of
the airport).

> A few observations:
>
> Its solar powered, which was something I specifically looked for; no
> more battery hassles. There may be some concern about power storage
> but its not a problem: I have left it blacked out for a full week to
> test this and when I looked at it again the power meter was still
> showing full.

That will probably change over time. The solar cells will weaken as
will the battery. Flip side is that watches don't take much juice so
it could be a long time.

> The altimeter is probably the least reliable instrument on it,
> principally because of the medium it measures - air pressure - which
> changes anyway. You need to calibrate it at the start of your journey,
> if you don't its readings are wrong. That said, and although I don't
> use it at all, I have kept a check on it over the course of a walk and
> it does a decent enough job of giving consistent readings... now, if
> only I'd calibrated it beforehand ;-)

Exactly. I only use them for judging my ascents and to a great
degree I can figure my altitude from other references. It's just
a good confirmation of my observations. But I make a point of
checking it before beginning so I can account for the differences.

> I've never found the need to
> know my altitude (unless parachuting),

These only update about every 5 seconds or so, which would
be fairly useless under canopy.

> if I want to know my position I
> use GPS/map combo. (GPS has GPS altimeter as well).

Such a watch would be used if such a device was malfunctioning.

> Compass is a good standby and I do use it quite often... a quick
> check, etc.. It gives readings in one degree increments which is
> probably overkill anyway considering. Sighting is a bit tricky but can
> be done at a pinch - but not really the right tool for that specific
> job.

Better than nothing, a backup to better equipment. I always
carry a backup compass on my walks. Sometimes it's just easier
to look at the watch.

> Thermometer. Works. Gives useful but non-essential data - but I like
> to know ;-) When walking I take the watch off my wrist because the
> thermometer is affected by body temperature.

Yes, I find this the most worthless of the features. I have a
thermometer
on my jacket zipper. Small one but it's good to about 4 degrees which
is about all I want to know anyway. The one on the wrist always reads
within 5 degrees of body temperature.

> Barometric pressure trend graph - 3 hour steps over last 15 hours, or
> similar. Useful(ish) if you're static, say overnight, to get an idea
> of how the pressure situation's changed. Not found it as useful as I
> might have expected. Adversely affected by changing your position,
> especially your altitude ;-)

Mine has a varying altitude plot, which is fairly useless if
static,
but kinda accurate if on the move. It can give you some idea of
large general altitude changes.

> My watch also has an analogue display so you don't need to chop
> between functions to see the time as well ;-)

Mine always hides the time somewhere in the display (except for
the stop watch function which is a bit frustrating).

>
> Hope Santa's kind to you!

.

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