If you are an outdoors guy, they are very handy. One thing I noticed was that by taking several compass bearings, I discovered that I was walking in huge arcing cricles when I thought I was walking straight. No telling how many miles I have walked out of the way by dead reckoning. I also live in tornado alley, so the barometer is very handy. The tempature is useless unless you take it off your body, but you do have that option. I have had the Casio's was pleased, but felt the bodies weren't tough around the bracelet lugs, but that was an older model.
I have heard many times that the solar models don't hold up well,. They do eat batteries faster than a standard watch. The prices have come down a great deal, and some have extra options. Casio makes a model that shows the tides, which I wouldn't need but it also shows the moonphases, that I would like.
The following companies make these watches:
Timex
Suunto
Tissot
Casio
High Gear
