I've been looking at some different altimeter watches, mostly for riding this winter, but it could definitely come in handy elsewhere. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on a good one, or any other useful info. I'm currently looking at a couple of different options, but I'm leaning towards this one at the moment due to features and price point:
At the bare minimum I'd like to have an altimeter, barometer, compass and thermometer but if I can find a good deal on a different one that has all of the above plus other features like descent speed, total altitude traveled and other ski/boarding specific measurements I'd definitely be open that that as well. Any suggestions?
Personally I find the compass next to worthless. Much better to just carry one. Easier to use to get your bearings.
I don't know if any Altimeter watches give you your descent speed. An average of time taken, that sort of thing. It's been awhile since I've used one, since my old one crapped out. Reminds me I need to get a new one.
Vertical climbed/descended is pretty handy, plus the elevation read out is handy for making sure you don't drop too low on certain bc runs where it's a super pain in the ass to get out if you do.
Barometer is nice. Thermometer is meh. Yet another item, that it's easier to have separate. I have a little key chain thermometer that I have attached on my pants, that works perfectly for checking the temps. Generally speaking, I don't need a thermometer to know that it's holy balls freezing cold out....
Good point on watches with GPS. Hadn't even considered that. I am going to get a no frills Altimeter watch myself. My main concern is vert climbed/descended for sure.
The GPS on the watch will just be a receiver where the beacon will actually transmit a signal on a specific frequency for rescuers to home to, 457khz IIRC. Signals can become unreliable where you use multiple transmitters such as PLBs, ELTs, EPIRBs etc but a watch would have no impact on this I’d imagine.
Use a garmin vivioactive3 it does a pretty good job with a speed ascent decent and altitude. I like the automatic activity start stop feature. Data can upload to most activity tracking sites. It’s being closed out and is fairly inexpensive for what you get
I've got a Garmin Quatix 5 and i'd be lost without. Has all my gym programs on it, great on the mountain for tracking runs and controlling music. Battery life is amazing also for a smart watch.
No GPS altimeters work on atmospheric pressure. It isn’t the most accurate. If you’re satisfied with ballpark measurements that aren’t consistent day to day, then no worries. But if you’re looking for repeat accuracy you need GPS. Generally speaking I would point towards Suunto or Coros, but they’re pricey. You could also hit up whatever brand makes your beacon, given the type of product you’re talking about, I’d be shocked if they couldn’t give you a definitive answer on interference of a GPS watch and beacon. My gut says not likely a problem, but I have just shy of zero BC experience.
GPS doesn't provide consistent altitude/elevation accuracy, out of x,y & z axis it's the worse but like you say for what we are talking about it doesn't need to be super accurate.
In terms of interference, I'm prettysure it's a non-issue also. I work with a lot of GPS and Comms gear in aviation, especially EPIRB, ELT and other tracker beacons and if multiple beacons/transmitters are activated they can cause spurious/false information or degradation of signals but GPS is just a receiver so will have no impact. If you were going to be a Safety Sam and take multiple PLB's then that would be an issue.
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