Basic altimeter watch recommendation

[curtveld]

Looking to replace my recently deceased Casio Don't care about heart-rates, air temp or Ipod compatability, and don't want to spend over $200. Any thoughts?

[whidbey]

Casio has a nice one at costco for something like 170 or so. It does everything and more at a fair price. it is a little big though. that part i'm not to crazy about.

[Weekend_Climberz]

I've got a High Gear watch that was around $80 off of Campmor.com or SierraTradingPost.com (can't remember). So far it's worked real well and seems to have a fairly accurate altimeter as long as you keep it adjusted a couple of times a day (normal altimeter thing to do). There's a few on Campmor.com right now that may be worth checking out.

[willstrickland]

Campmor had some Nikes on blowout for a long time. About a hundred bucks if they still have em. They work pretty well.

[curtveld]

Thanks guys I should have thought of the Campmor route and yes they have a bunch of deals. The bargain models seem to be Timex. Anybody know if they hold up (can't forget the old "takes a lickin.." ads)?

[ketch]

If you get the Nike be ready for a minor hassle. The altimeter program has a problem in that if the altitude falls below 0 then in goes into an error lockout. Not usually a prob once you are up but at home if the barometer changes then your altimeter goes on the fritz.

 

Another thought, look around on e-bay. Now that Suunto is raising the baseline models it is not unusual to find old school Suunto's new from a shop in their clearance.

[marylou]

If you get the Nike be ready for a minor hassle. The altimeter program has a problem in that if the altitude falls below 0 then in goes into an error lockout. Not usually a prob once you are up but at home if the barometer changes then your altimeter goes on the fritz.

 

Actually that's the Timex ones that have that problem. I have a Nike one and it doesn't have that problem. I had the Timex and it was a PITA--returned it after Timex told me that I had to put it in the freezer to reset it--lame.

 

Sometimes they have the Nikes at the Nike outlet store at the North Bend outlet mall. I got mine 2 or 3 summers ago for less than $100. Some have complained of the bands breaking on the Nike watch (Norman Clyde for one) but so far, mine has held up fine. The Nike is also one of the smaller ones.

 

I've compared mine to more expensive altis and calibrated against a GPS and it's as accurate as any other alti watch, far as I can tell. It was a little off at the end of last summer, but it's probably due for a new battery or a sensor cleaning. The sensors can get a bit rusty in alti watches, but your friendly watch repair place can fix that in a few minutes.

 

 

Other nice thing about the Nike is it comes in gawd-awful bright colors. This comes in handy if you have the habit of taking yours off like I do. It's such an unnatural color that I'm inclined to notice it sitting in the dirt or on a rock.

[curtveld]

Actually that's the Timex ones that have that problem. I have a Nike one and it doesn't have that problem. I had the Timex and it was a PITA

That settles the Timex question (assuming PITA = POS)

 

Sometimes they have the Nikes at the Nike outlet store at the North Bend outlet mall.

Nike advertises something called Zero Drift Technology, which makes it sound like you never have to calibrate. Too good to be true is not something that wins me over, but sounds like you've been happy with yours.

 

Might give Ebay a look too - thanks Ketch

[cj001f]

echnology, which makes it sound like you never have to calibrate. Too good to be true is not something that wins me over, but sounds like you've been happy with yours.

So don't buy the POS - it is too good to be true. A partner had his less than year old nikes battery die on a warm July rainier. Suunto aren't bad, I like my old avocet.

[crackers]

I think the old Nike's were Timex. I got a Nike a few years ago that was a total waste of money POS. I threw it out and then got another one that was just as bad. That was three years ago. I haven't even considered them since, but i've also been too broke to think about buying a new one.

[marylou]

My Nike is not a Timex, it's a Citizen.

 

It has that "zero drift" deal, which means you calibrate every day, just like with a regular alti.

[pup_on_the_mountain]

I have the Timex Helix watch. I got it from Campmor for $50 a couple of

years back. It has been running pretty good so far, but I have not

tested it for below zero altitudes.

[Weekend_Climberz]

I like my old avocet.

 

I lost mine somewhere between moves.

 

I really wish I hadn't done that.

[K_Y_L_E]

High Gear gets the from me. I like the clip on style. No band to break and no need to shove the sleeves up or take the gloves off to see it.

K