Watches

Anyone have experience or info to share regarding "expedition" watches. Is the digital compass reliable, altimeter, thermometer, etc... I was looking at the protrek and garmin watches. They're expensive but if they are reliable I would buy one. I know a watch compass is no subsitute for the real deal but I think it would be convient to have available incase I was without a real compass on a simple day hike or climb in a new area....

Depending on it's intended use, their bulk can make them tough to climb in.

Avalon wrote:Anyone have experience or info to share regarding "expedition" watches. Is the digital compass reliable, altimeter, thermometer, etc... I was looking at the protrek and garmin watches. They're expensive but if they are reliable I would buy one. I know a watch compass is no subsitute for the real deal but I think it would be convient to have available incase I was without a real compass on a simple day hike or climb in a new area....

Suunto Ambit 2.

I like my Suunto Vector watch. I don't use the compass function on it, but the altimeter is helpful, even if it's a couple of hundred feet off. I reset the altimeter to reference points often, to compensate for barometric changes. A GPS will provide a more accurate altitude.

I have guided using Suunto watch for years, always use a real compass but the altimeter is great (yes you need to adjust for barometric pressure changes) but all altimeters require this. The Suunto I use is the least expensive ($250.00) which will do all you need it to accomplish, loud alarm to wake you up for summit day.

I own a suunto vector and suunto ambit 2. Both excellent watches.

A few years ago I got in touch with my feminine side and got one of the Suunto Lumi watches:

backcountry.com/suunto-lumi…

They came with a necklace mount that was great. My only complaint is that they eat batteries.

My feeling is that if ya can not wear it around yer neck it aint worth buying.

My Brunton Nomad V2 Pro meets Allen's requirement of wearing it around your neck, and has altimeter, barometer, clock, stopwatch, alarm, compass and thermometer. It's a whole lot cheaper than any expedition watch and easier to use. Battery life is good. No rate of descent/ascent, but a little mental arithmetic gets me that. I don't bother with the compass, I carry a real one.

I like my Vector. Agree its complicated, but that kind of challenge floats my boat. I use the compass only as back-up but whenever I compare it to a good one, its close enough for emergency use.

on extended trips, the most useful feature I like is barometer for weather condition monitoring...if pressure has been steadily dropping for last 12-24 hours (triangulated with last overall forecast) I have bailed on summit attempts (8/10 times it was the right call)

I have the Suunto Ambit and love it. The ability to program apps for special activities is great, although I wish they would open up some new variables. The compass seems to work well, and matches up with my regular compass the few times I have checked it. The thermometer is only accurate if you are not wearing the watch.

I don't climb in it, but then I wouldn't climb in any watch.

The Suunto Ambit2 has a very large range of options and you can even use the thing to get home if your lost.