Fwd: [at-l] (no subject) Altimeter watches

[spiriteagle99@hotmail.com (Jim and/or Ginny Owen)]

woodelf@juno.com wrote:
>I've used them off and on for a few years and have a Casio Forester now. 
>They are fun and have some usefulness. The ones with a barometer function 
>can aid in weather prediction. The altimeter is reasonably accurate but 
>isn't a precision instrument. Most are graduated in increments of around 
>20-40 feet. If you reset it to the correct elevation at known points 
>regularly it can help you find your location on a topo map. But it works by 
>measuring air pressure, so as the weather changes the displayed elevation 
>will go up or down accordingly. I am a land surveyor and use mine for 
>approximate elevation and orientation at times. But keep in mind there is a 
>lot more to orientation than matching an known elevation on a topo, even if 
>the watch elevation is correct. If you need a new watch go ahead and buy 
>it, they're a lot of fun. Get one that allows you to easily correct the 
>elevation. A barometer is a must and a grafting function is nice to.


woodelf -
I had an Avocet for a while - used it in Colorado and Montana and it was 
consistently accurate to about 20'.  Close enough for navigation purposes.  
But it was "delicate" - it broke, I sent it to be fixed, it broke, I sent it 
to be fixed, it broke ---- finally gave up and got a Suunto.  It wasn't as 
accurate, but again it was close enough for navigation on the CDT and PCT.  
And it had a lot of neat features - like elevation logging at 10' intervals. 
  That worked well for about 5,000 miles, then it went screwy and I stopped 
trusting it.

They may not do the job for surveying work, but for navigation, they'll do 
fine --- IF you need it.  On the AT, you don't need it - it's a toy.  But 
then, on the AT so is a compass.

Walk softly,
Jim





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