Need recommendation for quality altimeter

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berettaman12000

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I'm looking to purchase a quality altimeter, if anyone has any advice or info. on one I would sure appreciate it. Thanks!
 
I recently purchased a model 80 altimeter from Peet Bros. This is a mechanical altimeter (temperature/humidity compensated) as opposed to a GPS or altimeter watch.

I've tested the unit on a variety of hikes and compared the readings to my topos and it's been spot on.

You can get more info here: Peet Bros. Altimeters
 
Berettaman, I don't know how high your hills are in Kentucky, but the 8,000 foot maximum altitude on the Model 80 doesn't work in my neighborhood. My house is at 7,200 feet and I can hit 8,000 without leaving the suburbs. I'd look for a model with a bit more range.
 
i have one of the suunto vector wristwatch altimeters (watch, compass, altimeter, etc.) it's worked well for me up here in the colorado rockies...usually within 10-20 feet, if not spot on...
 
The highest mountains east of the Rockies are here in NC and don't make it to 7,000 feet.

Of course, as mentioned, if the use will be in the west (or elsewhere with higher peaks) then a different model is called for.

The reason why I liked the Peet Bros. model is that it offered good reliability at a reasonable cost. They do offer other models which are appropriate for higher elevations.

There are also much more expensive Swiss made models but for my weekly trips in the Smokies and Blue Ridge they are overkill.
 
The benchmark for mechanical altimeters are models made by the Swiss company Thommen.

In many of the altimeter watch test reviews, a Thommen altimeter is used as the base control. They are incredibly tough, accurate, and don't rely on batteries to work. With the rise in popularity of GPS units however, people don't use them as much anymore.

I have used my Thommen TX 30 as an altimeter for the past 20 years, and it has been accurate and reliable when my altimeter watches have failed. They are expensive, but can be bought at a reasonable price on EBay.

They can be viwed here: http://www.thommenag.ch/deutsch/sports2.htm#produkt1


George
 
Suunto Vector.

You've got the regular watch (chrono, timer, alarms, calendar...), plus :

- altimeter
- barometer
- digital compass (0,5 degrees precision)

That's what I use and it's great. Nice big digits. Great light. Works well with a 5 meters resolution (more than enough). As every altimeter, it's relying on athmospheric pressure, so when weather changes, the altimeter's screwed up by a few meters. That's true for all altimeters that rely on air pressure... The vector is a nice one. Best thing is that you don't have to send it back to the company to have the battery changed (unlike many other models).

A great thingy about the vector is the ascent/descent rate you can read onit while on altimeter function. I use this a lot when hiking with people that are less in shape than me. I find their ascension rate and I stick to it with the help of the watch.

Cheers,

David
 
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