marylou Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 It's time to replace my alti watch. Wondering what people use and like. I don't like the Suuntos (too big) and I don't like the Timexes, as they have a weird glitch I don't want to deal with. So not huge, and fairly easy to calibrate and use are plusses. A compass might be handy, wonder if those digi watch compasses are reliable enough to use. I'm sort of interested in the Nike Oregon Series alti, and the Highgear watches. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figger_Eight Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 After going through the Avocet and the Casio, my Nike Alti watch is my hands down favorite. The Suuntos are too big for my taste. If yer lucky they'll have one at the outlet store in North Bend for cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Crash Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 There is one Suunto which is smaller in size and doesn't look as geeky as the other ones. I think it's the Observer. drC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genepires Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 (edited) Yeah they are big but the suunto are realiable and accurate watches. I have used mine for over 5 years now with no problems. Get your nice small watch but don't be surprised when it busts on you while you are navigating in a white out. Avocet were nice n small but notoriously unrealiable. And Nike? They make shoes. How reliable could their watch be? Consider how long the watches have been around. Edited April 28, 2004 by genepires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Harris Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 . . .I don't like the Timexes, as they have a weird glitch I don't want to deal with. What is the glitch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akunamatata Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 I am thinking of getting the Suunto X6-HR, any feedback on this one? Anybody has used it before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted April 28, 2004 Author Share Posted April 28, 2004 (edited) . . .I don't like the Timexes, as they have a weird glitch I don't want to deal with. What is the glitch? If you are at, or near sea level (or below I suppose), and the barometric pressure changes enough that the watch thinks it's below sea level, it gives you an error message, and you can't recalibrate the alti until you move to higher ground or the barometric pressure changes. Obviously this won't be a huge problem once you are in the mountains, but it's just stupid enough to make me want to get a different watch. Gene, I think the Nike watches are made by Citizen. Edited April 28, 2004 by marylou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 timex cant take a licking anymore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gripped Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 Marylou, I have a Suunto and it totally rocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodchester Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 marylou: I have a Suunto and it I also have a Citizen dress watch...same company that apparently makes the Nike watches...it is SUPPOSEDLY Citizen's best watch. It is a piece of shit, pure garbage, junk. I swear the more expensive the watch the bigger the piece of shit that it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 I am thinking of getting the Suunto X6-HR, any feedback on this one? Anybody has used it before? See this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_morph Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 Just received a new Nike Oregon series alti watch as a gift. I also have a Suunto (whatever the one everyone else has) watch. The Nike one that I have is actually fairly big (same as Suunto about) but thats a good thing in the mountains. It is a bit heavier than the Suunto, its metal. The buttons are stellar on the Nike watch, not hard to find like Suunto. I think they would be easier to use with gloves on too. So far (its only been a week) I noticed a real big difference between the two and thats the altimeter accuracy. Leaving them both sitting on my desk this week as the weather changed, the Suunto did its usual gain of about 300ft due to higher pressure, while the Nike watch stayed about the same. I guess they have programed the thing to account for barometric variation differently from altitudinal variation. This is a major improvement as far as I am concerned and I will probably use this watch from now on. Maybe these newer really expensive Suuntos have this built into them. I was skeptical about a Nike watch at first too but its not like they are actually making it, its probably made by citizen or timex. In short, this watch rocks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mal_Con Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 Nike watches are made by for a Japanese Company (Citizen) in China for importation and sale in the U.S. by a US sporting goods company (Nike). In contrast Suunto watches are made in China for a Finnish Company (Suunto) for importation and sale in the U.S. by a U.S. sporting goods company (Wilson).I got the Nike in North Bend for $100 2 years ago (after my Thommon got jacked) and like it but, you have to go to Nike to change the battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 The Nike one that I have is actually fairly big (same as Suunto about) but thats a good thing in the mountains. I guess they have programed the thing to account for barometric variation differently from altitudinal variation. This is a major improvement as far as I am concerned and I will probably use this watch from now on. 1) Why do I want to drag beig heavy crap into the mountains (unless I'm a Mountie?) 2) Barometric Altimeters Measure Air Pressure. I have an Avocet Vertech that I like. It's not nearly as fancy as the Suunto's, but for $115 you can get one with a ski strap, that's nice for winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akunamatata Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 Does the Suunto alti HR also measures distances? Does it tell you the miles while running? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_morph Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 The Nike one that I have is actually fairly big (same as Suunto about) but thats a good thing in the mountains. I guess they have programed the thing to account for barometric variation differently from altitudinal variation. This is a major improvement as far as I am concerned and I will probably use this watch from now on. 1) Why do I want to drag beig heavy crap into the mountains (unless I'm a Mountie?) So you can see it at 2:30am and so you can actually find the buttons when you are cold and tired and don't want the instruction manual. 2) Barometric Altimeters Measure Air Pressure. No shit sherlock, I said it accounts for these things separately "Patented Zero Drift technology - provides extremely accurate altitude information, virtualy eliminates barometric drift." This is the one I am talking about http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=34043967&memberId=12500226 You can change the battery yourself too. All I'm saying is I like it and it works better than other altimeters I've used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 Picked up a Vector on sale at REI this weekend for $139, plus I had a $50 divedend to put towards it. Took it out for a ski on Sunday - dang these things are rather large - but functional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 The Nike one that I have is actually fairly big (same as Suunto about) but thats a good thing in the mountains. yeeeah boyee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savaiusini Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 I have to agree...I own the Nike and it rocks!!!! It is WAY more accurate than my old Avocet. Also, it seems to be built extra tough, which is not a bad thing! According to the manual, it is also possible to change the battery yourself unlike the Avocet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swaterfall Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 I've got the Suunto Observer and it seems to be off 200feet for avery 1000 that I climb . I can't believe that I would have to recalibrate every 1000 feet. Does any one know what the deal could be? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macson Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 I bought the Highgear Axis (the smaller one). Be careful with that one, as some of the first batch had some sort of problem with inadequate shielding, which made the sensors sensitive to static electricity. The watch performed fine until you put it on your wrist. Then after about 2 or 3 hours it would give all sorts of strange readings, like saying the temp was -38 and that you were at 18,000'. When I wrote the company they claimed to have fixed the problem and offered to exchange. I ended up exchanging for the one with the little biner...the Altitech II. My thought is that all of these watches that have temperature funtcions are affected by your body temp when you wear them, and I see a lot of people strapping the watches to their packs or whatever, so why not get one that's made to do that. I've used it in the mountains a couple times now and the accuracy has been as good (within 30 or so feet) as the people with Suuntos. Also, I've never experienced barometric drift. Even at home it can sit on the shelf for weeks at a time and never change altitude regardless of changes in weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 The Nike one that I have is actually fairly big (same as Suunto about) but thats a good thing in the mountains. yeeeah boyee! I be wearing my Thommen with much flava. The digits come correct, no front'in. Will it ever stop? Yo -- I don't know. Turn off the lights and I'll glow. To the extreme, I rock a mic like a vandal Light up a stage and wax a chump like a candle. Pretty good for a white boy, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted April 28, 2004 Author Share Posted April 28, 2004 I have an Avocet Vertech that I like. It's not nearly as fancy as the Suunto's, but for $115 you can get one with a ski strap, that's nice for winter. I ruined one of them there Avocets by wearing it in the rain. It got wet on the inside, not a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen_Ramsey Posted April 28, 2004 Share Posted April 28, 2004 (edited) The Suunto Altimax is great for alpine climbing. It can easily be operated with gloves on, and it is easy to read. The three alarms are great for ensuring an alpine start. It is nice to be able to operate the watch without having to de-glove. It is very cold resistant, and easy to calibrate. As for size (I assume it is weight that is the concern?), it only weighs 1.9 oz, and even less if you remove the strap and wear it around your neck on a thin cord. For something as critically important as an altimeter, it doesn't seem to be too heavy. IMHO. As far as drift is concerned, it doesn't seem to be a big problem, for me. I just note the altitude when I reach camp, and recalibrate the next morning before I start climbing. Anyhow, even if your altimeter had drift prevention built in, one would want to check the drift correction in the morning in order to know what the weather is doing. The Altimax is a triumph of function over fashion. Edited April 28, 2004 by Stephen_Ramsey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 I just bought a Highgear off of Ebay. My friend bought one and he has been happy with it. That's why I bought mine on Ebay and the same watch. I never use the temperature or compass functions-even on my previous Suunto. I just want an altimeter, time, date, alarm, and light on my watch. I don't use anything else.....these watches these days do way too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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