-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
All-In-One Watches. Gadget or Gimmik?
- Thread starter Ralf
- Start date
Hi Ralph:
No.
I have a Casio Triple Sensor which I bought in a moment of weakness. It's not bad, but it's certainly not what it's touted up to be.
- compass works fine.
- I find the barometer fairly accurate and the graphing useful for weather forecasting.
- Thermometer works fine except you have to take watch off to measure ambient temp, so that body heat doesn't affect reading.
- Altimeter is not so accurate.
For the cost get yourself some good stuff like knives and firestarters - a good compass..
Jimbo
No.
I have a Casio Triple Sensor which I bought in a moment of weakness. It's not bad, but it's certainly not what it's touted up to be.
- compass works fine.
- I find the barometer fairly accurate and the graphing useful for weather forecasting.
- Thermometer works fine except you have to take watch off to measure ambient temp, so that body heat doesn't affect reading.
- Altimeter is not so accurate.
For the cost get yourself some good stuff like knives and firestarters - a good compass..
Jimbo
No multi-tool anything is a good substitute for the actual tool. Sometimes you can get away with it, but the multi-tools will never work as well. This applies to SAKs, other belt tools, and wrist gadgets, and any other multi tool.
If you need a compass to navigate with, buy a compass. If you need an altimeter, buy an altimeter. If you need neither, but think it would be cool to pull one out occasionally, then buy the watch. And if it has the real cool functions, you can track how many feet of mountain you ski in a day.
Stryver
If you need a compass to navigate with, buy a compass. If you need an altimeter, buy an altimeter. If you need neither, but think it would be cool to pull one out occasionally, then buy the watch. And if it has the real cool functions, you can track how many feet of mountain you ski in a day.
Stryver
I do not like digital watches, just preference I guess. But I do clip a suunto clipper compass on my watch bands.
As far as multiltools go, no they will not replace a tool box, but you are much better off having one on your belt at any given time than not. I dont know about you Stryver, but I seldom carry my tools when out in the woods, or during a normal day AWAY frm my truck. I have used my Gerber and or SAK a myriad of times when I would have had to go find the "right" tool. Ever ride in someone elses vehicle? What happens if they have a minor breakdown and dont have tools? You would pay a lot for a UPT on a cold night when you are stranded. I agree its a poor substitue sometimes, but I will take a poor substitute in pinch than none at all.
------------------
Lee
LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
As far as multiltools go, no they will not replace a tool box, but you are much better off having one on your belt at any given time than not. I dont know about you Stryver, but I seldom carry my tools when out in the woods, or during a normal day AWAY frm my truck. I have used my Gerber and or SAK a myriad of times when I would have had to go find the "right" tool. Ever ride in someone elses vehicle? What happens if they have a minor breakdown and dont have tools? You would pay a lot for a UPT on a cold night when you are stranded. I agree its a poor substitue sometimes, but I will take a poor substitute in pinch than none at all.
------------------
Lee
LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
- Joined
- Feb 23, 1999
- Messages
- 4,855
Ralf,
I've been wearing one of the Casios for a couple of years and I like it a lot.
I use the compass and the altimeter in the field frequently. The compass is good for rough bearings. It has agreed with a conventional compass every time I have compared the two. It just takes a second to get a bearing, like checking the time.
I find the altimeter to be accurate and quite useful when hiking on trails in mountainous terrain. Of course, the readings fluctuate with changes in barometric pressure, so I reset it when I am at points of known elevation.
I don't use the thermometer much. As previously noted, it has to be off your wrist to work. I used it to take temperature data once when the facilities people wouldn't believe the cooling system in our building was malfunctioning. They ignored everyone's complaints, but got worried and fixed the problem after they saw the time vs. temperature data I took using my watch. I also used it once when taking some data in a lab. There was no thermometer available to record the lab conditions, so we used my watch.
The prime advantage to these tools is that they are always with me. I recommend one of these watches.
I've been wearing one of the Casios for a couple of years and I like it a lot.
I use the compass and the altimeter in the field frequently. The compass is good for rough bearings. It has agreed with a conventional compass every time I have compared the two. It just takes a second to get a bearing, like checking the time.
I find the altimeter to be accurate and quite useful when hiking on trails in mountainous terrain. Of course, the readings fluctuate with changes in barometric pressure, so I reset it when I am at points of known elevation.
I don't use the thermometer much. As previously noted, it has to be off your wrist to work. I used it to take temperature data once when the facilities people wouldn't believe the cooling system in our building was malfunctioning. They ignored everyone's complaints, but got worried and fixed the problem after they saw the time vs. temperature data I took using my watch. I also used it once when taking some data in a lab. There was no thermometer available to record the lab conditions, so we used my watch.
The prime advantage to these tools is that they are always with me. I recommend one of these watches.
I don't think I'd equate a multi function watch with other multi tools.
I got a leatherman PST for a present and thought like Stryver - initially. Actually it's so useful that it's always with me, and I use it all the time. I do lots of computer work and I don't carry my immense toolkit everywhere with me. The tool has also proven useful in the bush. The question is no longer about how useful the tool is but if it is always on the person.
The watch is certainly durable, and undoubtedly could be useful in a survival situation - but only the compass part - and only if the battery is working. For this you pay about the cost of a good multi-tool, good firestarter, belt knife, compass.
My point is that if I lost the watch I wouldn't get another. I carry a compass anyway. If I lost the multi tool I'd rush to the store... That's me.
When I have a friend desiring a watch like mine I loan it to them for a week. They soon see that they never really use the functions, and stay with their loot. I also loan out a friend's multi tool (not mine..) and if they use it then they get one. If they don't carry it they lose that idea.
Jimbo
I got a leatherman PST for a present and thought like Stryver - initially. Actually it's so useful that it's always with me, and I use it all the time. I do lots of computer work and I don't carry my immense toolkit everywhere with me. The tool has also proven useful in the bush. The question is no longer about how useful the tool is but if it is always on the person.
The watch is certainly durable, and undoubtedly could be useful in a survival situation - but only the compass part - and only if the battery is working. For this you pay about the cost of a good multi-tool, good firestarter, belt knife, compass.
My point is that if I lost the watch I wouldn't get another. I carry a compass anyway. If I lost the multi tool I'd rush to the store... That's me.
When I have a friend desiring a watch like mine I loan it to them for a week. They soon see that they never really use the functions, and stay with their loot. I also loan out a friend's multi tool (not mine..) and if they use it then they get one. If they don't carry it they lose that idea.
Jimbo
I have been read wrong. I do not believe multi-tools are not worth carrying. I carry one everyday, and have for the past seven years or so, when I first began carrying the gerber multi-tool I still remember fondly. It wandered away, and I was forced into buying a swisstool, because I was a cheap college student when I had to replace the gerber that walked off with some <insert expletives here> scouts, and the salesman gave me a kicka$$ deal on a swisstool, but wouldn't drop the price on a gerber at all for me.
I do believe multitools have value. I do not believe the utility of any single tool on such a device comes anywhere near a full-up version of said tool. If I were an electrician, I would carry a pair of pliers, a stripper/crimper, and probably some other tools. I am not an electrician, and thus can make do with a tool that tries to do all of those things, and more. I have used my belt tools for everything from removing splinters and opening beer cans to repairing my car and bike (Generally it's the bike or walk, the car usually limps anyways) to pulling things out of acids (The lab never missed the glacial H2SO4, and we sure enjoyed it). I spent two years working maintenance at a scout camp, and a third at a state park. (Year two at said scout camp was where my Gerber wandered off) I used my belt tool more than the tool box in my truck. But when I needed a serious tool, I broke out the tool box.
If I were in an emergency, and needed to travel using a map, I would hope I had a good compass somewhere. If not, I could use a dial watch, like the one on my wrist now, to accurately establish at least eight or sixteen directionals, which approaches or surpasses the accuracy of most small dome compasses. When I need an altimeter, it better be a good one. Regs say the one I fly with be 75 feet or better, and I'd like it to be closer than that. It's good to know how much room is between you and that runway, or better yet, you and whatever you aren't trying to land on under you.
So, I still say multi-tools are not as good as an assortment of individual tools. If I need a specific tool for a specific job, I should make sure I have that tool. But if you just think it will be nifty to have that assortment with you, carry the multi-tool. And there is still the cool factor associated with being able to say, "I skiied over X thousand vertical feet today".
Stryver
I do believe multitools have value. I do not believe the utility of any single tool on such a device comes anywhere near a full-up version of said tool. If I were an electrician, I would carry a pair of pliers, a stripper/crimper, and probably some other tools. I am not an electrician, and thus can make do with a tool that tries to do all of those things, and more. I have used my belt tools for everything from removing splinters and opening beer cans to repairing my car and bike (Generally it's the bike or walk, the car usually limps anyways) to pulling things out of acids (The lab never missed the glacial H2SO4, and we sure enjoyed it). I spent two years working maintenance at a scout camp, and a third at a state park. (Year two at said scout camp was where my Gerber wandered off) I used my belt tool more than the tool box in my truck. But when I needed a serious tool, I broke out the tool box.
If I were in an emergency, and needed to travel using a map, I would hope I had a good compass somewhere. If not, I could use a dial watch, like the one on my wrist now, to accurately establish at least eight or sixteen directionals, which approaches or surpasses the accuracy of most small dome compasses. When I need an altimeter, it better be a good one. Regs say the one I fly with be 75 feet or better, and I'd like it to be closer than that. It's good to know how much room is between you and that runway, or better yet, you and whatever you aren't trying to land on under you.
So, I still say multi-tools are not as good as an assortment of individual tools. If I need a specific tool for a specific job, I should make sure I have that tool. But if you just think it will be nifty to have that assortment with you, carry the multi-tool. And there is still the cool factor associated with being able to say, "I skiied over X thousand vertical feet today".
Stryver
I'm interested in what you are making of all this Ralf...
Good individidual instruments will certainly cost you a lot. If you are sure that you really want to know temperature, barometric readings, etc, then you have to decide how much you are willing to pay for accuracy. As Howard pointed out the watch has memory functions which are useful, and the functions on the watch are certainly adequate if you do calibrations.
The Casio is robust. Mine looks like it's been on a few expeditions. I don't think you will ever have complaints about it being "fragile".
I guess my only complaint about the watch tells more about me than the watch - I just don't use the functions enough to warrant the price. The tough part is that you have to have such a watch for a while before you find out. I haven't found anybody locally who has wanted to pay the price after trying for a while - but you could be different.
As with multi-tools the watch will always be on you and ready. That's worth thinking about if you decide to go the route of good individual instruments (other than a compass).
Jimbo
Good individidual instruments will certainly cost you a lot. If you are sure that you really want to know temperature, barometric readings, etc, then you have to decide how much you are willing to pay for accuracy. As Howard pointed out the watch has memory functions which are useful, and the functions on the watch are certainly adequate if you do calibrations.
The Casio is robust. Mine looks like it's been on a few expeditions. I don't think you will ever have complaints about it being "fragile".
I guess my only complaint about the watch tells more about me than the watch - I just don't use the functions enough to warrant the price. The tough part is that you have to have such a watch for a while before you find out. I haven't found anybody locally who has wanted to pay the price after trying for a while - but you could be different.
As with multi-tools the watch will always be on you and ready. That's worth thinking about if you decide to go the route of good individual instruments (other than a compass).
Jimbo
Stryver sorry if I read you wrong, I agree they will not repalce the propper tools but they can be handy as hell. I still have my first multipliers, it is marked 1st production run, so you know how long I have had one. Still carry one as a constant companion.
------------------
Lee
LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
------------------
Lee
LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
I have had the Casio for years, practically since it came out. It has been durable, useful and accurate enough to help out. I like it because it is always with me even when I go off to breathe alone. I can't tell you how many times I've wondered about something and had the watch there to give me the answer.
I've been turned around in jungles and forests and just pushed the button and bingo, I'm oriented.
Ron
------------------
Learn Life Extension at:
http://www.survival.com ]
I've been turned around in jungles and forests and just pushed the button and bingo, I'm oriented.
Ron
------------------
Learn Life Extension at:
http://www.survival.com ]