altimeters: wrist vs carabiner/clip-on style

[jonmcd]

My darling wife surprised me this christmas with the wonderful gift of an altimter/compass/watch (Highgear Altech 2) which instead of having a wrist strap has a small carabiner-like attachment for clipping on to a pack or whatever. I wouldn't have thought that would be preferrable to the wrist but then again I hadn't really thought about it. The sales guy at REI convinced my wife that it was easier to use the compass and get more accurate temperature readings if it's not on your body. They are the same price so not a big deal to switch. I am curious to see what you guys think of the wrist vs clip-on arrangement and also if anyone's had experience with high-gear altimeters vs the obviously marketed suuntos or nikes or others.

 

thanks

[aLx_JustcliMbing]

Depends on when you use it. I could see the practicality if you were climbing a crack and jaming your fist into the wall. May be useful to have the watch clipped to your harness. I can also see the usefulness when mountain climbing. As long as you could secure it to the strap of your pack might be nice to have it hanging there rather then having to peal off your gloves and pull back your sleeves just to see your altitude etc. I am curious to hear others opinions.

[K_Y_L_E]

I have the same one and I have a Nike Ascent (watch style). I have also had Suunto's and Casio's. Much to the dismay of everyone here I think the guy at REI was right. I find that with the wrist watch I am always having to de-glove to dig it out from my jacket. Then, of course the temp is way off. If you wear the watch type you will notice that the reading is almost always around 81 degrees (which is the temp of your skin). With some (casio I think) you can adjust the band to go over your jacket, but my brother lost his that way. So......I like the clip. It is easy to get to and gives more "accurate" readings due to its exposure. Depending on what you are doing you may want to tape

Hope that helps

Cheers

Kyle

Edited December 29, 2004 by K_Y_L_E

[olyclimber]

I've had both (a Brunton Sherpa and a bling, bling old school Thommen ) and I currently have a Suunto Altimax. The Sherpa was more accurate (both resolution wise as well as reading the correct temprature/elevation). Of course you're going to have to continuely adjust any barometric altimeter.

 

One thing for sure, the Suunto Altimax doesn't give you a good temperature reading when wearing the watch next to your skin (to be expected, and mentioned in the user manual). You body's heat makes it impossible to take an accurate measure of the environmental temp outside unless you take the watch off.

 

You can just make a lanyard for the thing and hang it around your neck like Flavor Flav (not inside your clothes. This is going to give you the most accurate temp reading. Accurate altitude measurements are a factor of how accurate your altimeter is dialed in, if the barometric pressures are changing rapidly, and the resolution of the device.