Some of the latest variants of these look feature-packed enough to satisfy the most gadget-obsessed amongst us.
For those unfamiliar, the more advanced models not only tell you your altitude but keep track of your cumulative vertical over the day. You can download your skiing day onto your PC, compare one day with another, analyse your vertical velocity relative to the space-time continuum (ok I made the last bit up...)...
Anyone got one? Is it (still) fun? useful or just entertaining?
Altimeter Watches
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Suunto do a range of interesting looking watches described here. There are a couple of other manufacturers of such things but most seem more aimed at pilots than skiers.
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Started by Admin in Ski Hardware 21-Nov-2003 - 4 Replies
Admin posted Nov-2003
The Admin Man
Davidof
reply to 'Altimeter Watches' posted Nov-2003
I have a Suunto vector. It has a small book telling you how it works, although fairly logical I have trouble remembering all the feature and would go for a more basic version next time.
The model has an electronic compass, a friend of mine, a French guide, has actually used this to navigate in whiteout conditions so it is not just a gimmic. Of course you need to know how to navigate.
The main drawback of the Vector is that you can press the buttons while skiing or boarding by moving your wrist. This is now fixed on the latest models.
The altimeter is very good and I've used it in conjunction with a compass to find a tiny arete at 3000 meters in zero viz.
The model has an electronic compass, a friend of mine, a French guide, has actually used this to navigate in whiteout conditions so it is not just a gimmic. Of course you need to know how to navigate.
The main drawback of the Vector is that you can press the buttons while skiing or boarding by moving your wrist. This is now fixed on the latest models.
The altimeter is very good and I've used it in conjunction with a compass to find a tiny arete at 3000 meters in zero viz.
Admin
reply to 'Altimeter Watches' posted Nov-2003
davidof wrote:I have a Suunto vector... although fairly logical I have trouble remembering all the feature and would go for a more basic version next time...
Suunto do a range of interesting looking watches described here. There are a couple of other manufacturers of such things but most seem more aimed at pilots than skiers.
The Admin Man
Admin
reply to 'Altimeter Watches' posted Nov-2003
I'm looking at the Suunto S6 - so I can relive my skiing day when back in the office... ha ha.
Have to say I'm a little concerned that keeping track of my daily "vertical" might just encourage me to travel everywhere at silly speeds...
Have to say I'm a little concerned that keeping track of my daily "vertical" might just encourage me to travel everywhere at silly speeds...
The Admin Man
Robinp
reply to 'Altimeter Watches' posted Nov-2003
I had one of these a while back. I think it was more for the fun factor than any real usefulness, unless you're really serious. But it's also quite interesting to see maximum vertical speeds and things: also while going UP on the lifts of course.
Unfortunately I took it out sailing one day (just to use the stopwatch), and after encountering more vertical motion than planned, discovered it wasn't quite as waterproof as I thought it was. It's not been quite the same since then :(
Unfortunately I took it out sailing one day (just to use the stopwatch), and after encountering more vertical motion than planned, discovered it wasn't quite as waterproof as I thought it was. It's not been quite the same since then :(
Topic last updated on 28-November-2003 at 16:37