Altimeter recommendations?

[Gregory Karl]

I am going to buy a digital altimeter, probably wrist model. Looking for something fairly basic, easy to use and well built. Does anyone have recommendations about particular models/manufacturers to buy or to avoid? There are just so many models out there! Thanks in advance for any help.

Greg Karl

[ElectricMan]

I have the High Gear “Axis” (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=35351187&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1) model I bought on sale for 50 bucks. It’s well built, and has a lot of miles on it.
I typically carry a GPS and use that for elevation. It seems to be more accurate. My brother has a Timex that he uses for elevation readings. Because all altimeters work off barometric pressure they are only roughly accurate. Most people that use watch type altimeters will set them at the trailhead before each hike to the elevation given. Depending on weather systems during the day, I have seen differences in the 100 – 200’ range between the watch type and my GPS. Once on the summit the GPS is usually +/- 20’.
My recommendation would be, don’t spend a lot of money on a watch with zillions features. I very rarely use the temp, compass, barometer, chronograph and alarm. I do look at the clock from time to time tho.
:D

[Eric]

I too have the Axis High Gear watch with all the bells and whistles, unfortunately I paid 150.00 for the watch, not 50.00. Initially it was great, learning how to use it, but the down falls I found with the watch were if it is too hot (the heat from your arm and the temp outside), the temp is incorrect which in return messes with the barometric pressure and so on. The High Gear has a watch that clicks to your belt loop or back pack, I found as long as I have the watch on my pack it works well. Overall it works OK, not great but ok. I've had mine for 2 years, since it isn't that accurate I would never count on it, I use it more for the altimeter, that also isn't that accurate but close enough. Maybe you will have better luck, this has just been my experience with the Axis. Good Luck

[TFR]

I know you wanted a watch, but if you can consider the alternative, the Axis Altitech-2 will clip to your front pack strap, and you can just look down and refer to it. I find it pretty 'handy'! :-)

[JoeCedar]

I'm pleased with my Suunto. They have several models with the same internals but different cases/colors: Vector, X-lander, etc. You can easily change the battery yourself. I have had no problems in 2 years of frequent use. It takes some time reading (and rereading) the manual to learn to use all the functions.

I often use the cumulative ascent/descent trip logs which helps a lot to understand trips with a lot of ups and downs.

[rdl]

I've had a Suunto Altimax for the last 10 years or so, and it continues to work great. I don't think Suunto makes the Altimax any more, but I'd recommend other Suunto altimeter watches.

Bob

[Pig Pen]

I have a Highgear Altitech ($150.00), and I can't say that I am deleriously happy with it. I bought it because it has a carabiner type hook up that hooks to a backpack strap quite nicely. That part I like, but the altimeter itself has had some problems.

The worst problem is that when I use it in rainy or damp conditions the altimeter occasionally malfunctions badly. It will report +30,000 feet and -90 degrees and just become wildly inaccurate.

Also the buttons have a tendency to stick in cold weather making it very difficult to do the proper key combinations to adjust the altimeter.

The accumulated altitude feature over-estimates altitude gain by about 30%

If the temperature goes below about 5 degrees F the screen becomes so dim that you can't read it.

In warm dry weather it works fairly well.

I went to Highgear's web site and used the "Contact Us" page to send them a report complaining about the above problems. I never heard back from them.

Maybe I'm an isolated case but I thought I would let you know of my experience.

[Pig Pen]

One other note about altimeters:

Any altimeter maker that knows anything will have an algorithm that detects pressure changes due to barometric changes versus actual changes in elevation. Barometric pressure changes occur slowly and smoothly over time, whereas elevation changes due to hiking are fast and erratic. Altimeters can detect this and automatically do the barometric adjustment.

I would recommend getting an altimeter that does barometric adjustment automatically. You still need to manually adjust occasionally but you can get away with forgetting once in awhile.

[Neil]

Just wondering, how do the altimeters built in to GPS's measure up? My gps has a barometric altimeter. It seems to work fine allthough I don't use it all that much

[Little Rickie]

I don't own an altimeter or a GPS yet but the GPS is moved up my list of gear to get.

Why would I get an altimeter when a GPS can do the same thing more accurately?

Batteries?

[Boreal Chickadee]

Just wondering, how do the altimeters built in to GPS's measure up? My gps has a barometric altimeter. It seems to work fine allthough I don't use it all that much

When I've checked mine it's been dead on or within just a few feet of a known elevation. But like you, I rarely check it.
The elevtion in my GPS is based on the coordinates, not a baromoter.

[Neil]

Why would I get an altimeter when a GPS can do the same thing more accurately?

Batteries?
Off-trail navigation with map, compass and altimeter can be fun. Say you're following a steam and you want to turn NE and leave the stream at a specified point. The altimeter will tell you when you have reached that point. The altimeter goes on your wrist and never loses reception :) . Not that I own one but I've hiked with people who do.

[adkdremn]

Say you're following a steam and you want to turn NE and leave the stream at a specified point. The altimeter will tell you when you have reached that point.

But from what everyone seems to be saying, the watch type altimeters can be pretty inaccurate. So how would you know you're at the right spot solely based on the altimeter?
I've been debating myself for sometime as to whether or not to get one. It seems like if you're gonna shell out the $ you might as well buy a GPS with the features you are looking for in a watch.

[ElectricMan]

But from what everyone seems to be saying, the watch type altimeters can be pretty inaccurate. So how would you know you're at the right spot solely based on the altimeter?

I have hiked in groups where several members have a GPS or watch based altimeter.
It’s kind of funny when one person exclaims “Well, we’re at 3650 feet, only 750 feet to go". Then enviably you’ll hear, I’ve got 3250, I’ve got 3900’ and so on.
Typically the one’s with the GPS’s are the closest together in their elevation readings.


I've been debating myself for sometime as to whether or not to get one. It seems like if you're gonna shell out the $ you might as well buy a GPS with the features you are looking for in a watch.

I agree, spend the money on a GPS, but be sure it has an electronic compass.

[JoeCedar]

Watch-based devices are very accurate at measuring barometric pressure. They are programmed with a conversion from barometric pressure to elevation above sea level assuming a standard atmosphere at sea level (at all times):

--The air is a perfectly dry gas
--The barometric pressure is 1013.2 hPa (29.92 inches of Hg)
--The temperature is 15 degrees C
--The rate of temperature fall with height is 1.98 deg. C per 1000 ft up to the height at which temperature becomes -56.5 deg. C and then remains constant

Deviations from these conditions lead to error in the measured elevation with a barometric altimeter, especially the temperature condition in winter. For example, you set your altimeter at the Loj at 2200 ft and 14 deg. F, and then climb Mt Marcy. On the summit your altimeter will read approx. 5644 (300 ft high) with absolutely no weather-related change in barometric pressure. Do the same trip in July and you'll get close to the correct reading. This is well know in aviation in colder climates.

The GPS, on the other hand, is programmed with a mathematical model of the surface of the earth from which it calculates your position and elevation from three satellites. It decides which combination of three satellites it uses at any one time based on their location and calculations of the estimated error. It shows you the one with the smallest estimated error.

So both have their strengths and weaknesses, and inherent errors. I prefer the separate wrist altimeter because I can more easily look at it, and I can use it when I don't want or need to carry the GPS, for example on marked trails.

[Gregory Karl]

First of all, many thanks to those who have given reviews and advice on altimeters, and thanks in advance to anyone with more of the same! And thanks for raising some interesting issues:

Why would one buy an altimeter when a GPS unit can do the same thing more accurately? I like Neil's answer: that it is simply fun to use traditional means. For me there are other consideratons as well. I am relatively new to bushwhacking and would like to hone my navigation skills using self-contained technologies like compass and altimeter before going to GPS. I guess it's just a matter of personal development. For more experienced navigators who have already mastered the skills I am working on, GPS is no doubt the practical way to go. But I would feel like a weenie if I had to rely on a satellite to solve my little navigation problems.

[Pig Pen]

Why would one buy an altimeter when a GPS unit can do the same thing more accurately?

GPS units occasionally won't lock on to the satellites because of dense woods or other factors. An air-pressure based altimeter will always work (If the batteries aren't dead).

[daLunartik]

I just recently bought a Highgear altimeter watch - last spring I purchased an analog altimeter (100' accuarcy), and I relied on my GPS (a Garmin Legend) prior to that.

I leave my gps clipped to my shoulder strap (mainly for tracklogging) - and I've found it to be within an acceptable tolerance of an indicated elevation (i.e. if it sez it's got a 50' +/- lock, the elevation is also +/- 50').

Both the Electronic watch, and the analog altimeter do vary in their readings, as JoeCedar described. I also tend to set/calibrate both at known elevations - usually from at the Parking Area after I've gotten a gps lock, and then at summits or other known locations.

I now carry all three (though I tend to forget to calibrate the analog one) with me, even when on a trail (ya never know when it's time to escape!). All of them, including my map and compass are navigational aides. The GPS is nice to see progress or take a bearing on a defined waypoint. The Watch Altimeter is nice to keep an eye on current elevation, particularly when you are whacking and know you have to make a turn at a given elevation, or don't want to drop to far down. The analog is pretty much useless if you need acuracy greater than 100', but it doesn't need batteries, and will give you a rough idea as to where you are (elevation wise).

I think they all have their uses, but I would never rely on only one - I like having back ups to my back ups (probably why I could never be an ultra-lighter).