( 11 reviews )
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Posted: Jun 27 2009
Product came quickly. It is operating as we expected and good value for the price. Earlier review we read indicated it is actually a barometric pressure indicator and that has to be considered to use it propertly.
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Posted: Jun 15 2009
I purchased this altimeter as a battery-independent backup for navigation while backpacking. I also use a Highgear Altis altimeter watch, and occasionally carry a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx which has a built-in barometric altimeter, so I am familiar with altimeter use. To clarify some other reviewers' misunderstandings, this is indeed an altimeter/barometer; it functions on the principle that air, like water, exerts a greater pressure the deeper you are. The only difference between a barometer and altimeter is the scale used to read the pressure. This device is primarily meant to be used as an altimeter, rather than a barometer. The altitude dial can be set or calibrated, while the barometer dial is fixed (and in my example, consistently reads almost 0.30" off from what I know to be the true pressure). The barometer dial is meant to give absolute pressure readings, rather than the familiar MSL (mean sea level) readings reported from weather stations and airports, although the instructions describe how to achieve this reading if you know your altitude. I have used this altimeter locally in New Hampshire including in the White Mountains, at ranges from about 500 feet to 5000 feet, and it is accurate thoughout that range when calibrated properly. The hash marks on the altitude scale are every 100 feet, and in theory it should be possible to interpolate to 50 or even 25 feet, but I have noticed that giving the altimeter a bit of a bump (similar to when it is hanging from your neck and hits your stomach or arm) is enough to move the needle to the left or right causing the reading to be off as much as +/- 50 feet, so the precision is really just around 100 feet. That's good enough for the hiking that I do, where the contour lines are usually pretty close together, but this lack of precision really has me concerned about the overall build quality of the unit; otherwise, the unit really seems quite sturdy with a nice feel to the altitude adjustment ring, a clear display, and an appealing (but not overly weighty) heft. The lanyard is meant to be worn round the neck, but it detaches from the unit with a clip. A belt clip or carabiner to also attach to the clip would have been nice, but unfortunately this wasn't provided. The barometer does not claim to be water resistant or waterproof. While the scale goes up to 16,400 feet, the instructions state that the altimeter can be safely taken to 49,000 feet without being damaged; it will simply not read altitudes that high. PROS: - no battery needed - sturdy construction yet fairly lightweight - easy to adjust altitude scale and read altitude from needle - covers altitude needs for the lower 48 - price seems very reasonable when compared to electronic (start around $100) or high-end mechanical ($300 up) options CONS: - "play" in needle reduces precision of device to about 100ft, raises concerns about reliability of internal mechanism - no way to calibrate barometric pressure, and it is poorly calibrated from factory - method of reading "mean sea level" pressure somewhat tedious
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Posted: May 29 2009
I am puzzled by this,and am a fairly intelligent person (most of the time.) It seems to me that the ONLY way the barometric pressure would actually, physically be able to change is if you were manually turning the dial (to set the altitude.) So I really don't get it. I set the altitude at 4700 feet (where I live in CO)...and the barometer is then at 30.4 or whatever the reading is...so if the weather changes, how does the barometer thing actually change? Does one of the guages move "internally?" Any comments or hints would be appreciated.
