Suunto Vector Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and Thermometer
May 9th, 2010 by No comments »If you enjoy running, biking, hiking, or mountain climbing, then chances are you know all about Suunto watches. While these watches are expensive, they really are worth every penny. But if you have found yourself suffering from sticker shock in the past, then you owe it yourself to check out a lower cost model: the Suunto Vector Wrist-Top Computer Barometer Watch.
The Suunto Vector Wrist-Top Computer Barometer Watch watch keeps track of both your altitude changes and the barometric changes over time via the computer onboard. It will log your altitude (within a 9,000 meter range at a resolution of one-meter) and ascending and descending rates every hour for a 24 hour period while the barometric changes are logged for a period of four days. The time function has all the features you would expect from a watch of this caliber and is even preprogrammed to 2089. If looks and fashion are important to you, then you will be pleased to know that this watch is available in several colors such as black, yellow, and khaki.
But not all is roses in regards to the Suunto Vector Wrist-Top Computer Barometer Watch. Perhaps the biggest issue this watch has is the fact that the watch face itself is neither crystal nor glass, but rather some type of plastic. Though using plastic is surely one way that Suunto keeps the price down, it causes the face to get scratched rather easily. Another thing to keep in mind is the battery life you can expect to get out of this. It is likely that you will have to replace the battery about once every year, particularly if you use the backlight a lot.
PROS:
* A very illuminating backlight
* An accurate altimeter with a range of 9,000 meters
* Clock has three alarms, dual time display, and stopwatch functions
* Keeps both altitude and barometer data in memory (altitude for 24 hours, barometer for four days.
* Built in thermometer
* Comes in a variety of colors
CONS:
* The watch face is made of a type of plastic and is easily scratched
* The battery needs to be replaced at least once a year under moderate use
Suunto Altimax Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter and Barometer
May 9th, 2010 by No comments »When the outdoors is an important part of your life, you should really think hard about getting the best watch for your needs. One such watch that may prove to be a great addition to your outdoor gear is the Suunto Altimax Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter and Barometer. Now, I know what may be going through your mind right now: “But Suunto watches are really expensive…” While that may be the case, Suunto offers a specific product that fills a specific need and most generally warrant the price they command. Fortunately, this particular watch falls into Suunto’s more affordable category.
Overall, this model has many of the great features that Sunnto provides. It features a watch (of course!), altimeter, and barometer all in one. These functions do their jobs exceptionally well. The time function keeps track of the time and date, has a dual time-zone, several alarms, stopwatch, and countdown timer. The altimeter tells you what altitude you are currently at and also gives you information on your most recent trends. Going a little deeper, you can tell it to keep track of various aspects related to altitude, such as feet-per-minute skied or distance per hour climbed. The barometer function works well to help predict changes in the weather and it, too, can keep a running log for you to examine.
However, as with most products, the Suunto Altimax Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter and Barometer is not without its shortcomings. Luckily, these shortcomings are not deal breakers by any means; they just need to be kept in mind before making a final purchasing decision. Aesthetically speaking, this watch is quite large! If you have small wrists or hands, then it may very well appear out of proportion when strapped on. However, this generally does not affect performance. Unfortunately, there is one thing that does affect performance. The mode switch has the tendency to inadvertently get pressed causing the watch to change modes without the user realizing it.
PROS:
* Low cost (for a Suunto computer watch)
* The watch function offers many useable features without bombarding you with stuff you won’t use
* The altimeter lets you keep track of various information for later examination
* The barometer also records data for later study
CONS:
* The watch is very large and therefore may be uncomfortable for those with smaller wrists or hands
* The modes switch tends to get in the way
Highgear AltiTech Computer Watch with Altimeter, Compass, and Thermometer
May 9th, 2010 by No comments »The Highgear AltiTech Computer Altimeter and Barometer Watch is a little different from your average outdoor watch. This is because this watch does not use a watchband per se but rather attaches to a belt loop or other loop by way of a clip. This is handy for those who would rather keep a basic watch on their wrist but still need the functionality of an all in one outdoor watch.
Like many computer watches made for the serious outdoors sports person, the Highgear AltiTech Computer Altimeter and Barometer Watch keeps track of many useful strings of data for later examination. It will hold up to 20 altimeter readings with a range of -2296 feet to 29,500 feet in increments of just one foot as well as accumulated altitude and max altitude. The digital barometer graphs pressure and the weather forecast. It has a digital compass that is accurate to one degree. The onboard level helps to improve the compass’s accuracy. A digital thermometer helps round out the features.
Of course, what’s an outdoor watch if it can’t tell time? The Highgear AltiTech Computer Altimeter and Barometer Watch offers two time zones, a calendar, alarms and backlight. It also will tell you the current date and the time down to the second.
One thing that this watch has a problem with is the face because it scratches a little too easily. And as is the case with many watches, the function buttons can be pressed by accident. Unfortunately, with this watch, depending on where you clip it, those buttons may get pressed more than you want. Speaking of placement, it is not has handy as having all of the information sitting right on your wrist, though for people with small wrists it does beat having a large computer swallow your arm.
PROS:
* Allows user to get all of the use of an all in one watch without having to have a large piece strapped to their wrist
* Extremely accurate altimeter, barometer, and compass
* 2 year warranty
CONS:
* The face tends to scratch easily
* The buttons tend to have a mind of their own, though this does depend on where you clip the watch
* May not be as handy as a watch, though this, too, depends on where you clip it
