UKC

Does anyone use one of these fancy altimeter watches? If so have you found that having such a watch is really useful or are they just another gadget that you don’t need with good navigational training. This is with reference to UK conditions and terrain.

I have one but as more of a sport climber than a mountaineer the altimeter doesn't get a lot of use. I did use it more when I was going running around here (mildly hilly) and I do like it. Seemed pretty accurate as well. 

I have an ageing suunto which i have got tonnes of use out of in the alps and futher afield i have never really felt the need to use it in the uk though as the changes in altitude arnt huge and you have acces to weather forcasts so the barometer isnt useful.

I really like using an altimeter watch for navigation and pacing in alpine territory.  The most basic will do and it helps you keep an eye on the weather. So much better than anything fancy.

I love my Suunto Core.  Having long since exhausted all nice running and cycling routes in my area (and not getting to go away much) it’s redundant now for local excercise as altitudes are all in my head, it only really gets used to see how deep I can dive under the sea (not very far) and to tell me water temperatures.

I’ve never found it that useful on UK mountains - or more accurately never found that I had a need for it - but it was great in wooded mountain terrain in California.

I really wish they’d overhaul the screen, it’s awful by modern standards.

I use a Suunto Vector in mountain marathons, you do need to reference them at every known spot to be any real use though, i use a Garmin Fenix 5 at all other times.

I have a Suunto Core that gets used in the Alps, but unless you put some effort into how to get the best out of one, it won't be much use. For example I calibrated mind at the Col de Balme the other day, and watched with amusement as my altitude rose several hundred metres before I went anywhere, and by the time I'd finished the descent was still reading higher than when I set off.

They have a use, but I wouldn't put serious faith in altimetry for navigation in changing or inclement weather, which is probably the most useful time to be able to do so to be honest. If you can see the huge granite spire and the winding glacier, navigation generally isn't a huge problem...

Great for mountain marathons/nav events at pace, knowing you are hitting a re-entrant above the dibber and just have to head down takes the stress out of things somewhat.

I have a Fenix 3 for none competitive stuff so use that.

I have a Timex Expedition something or other Altimeter watch that was given to me a few years ago. I've never used it. You can have it if you want it. Email me if you're interested and we can arrange postage etc. 

Paul W

I had a Casio altimeter watch, admittedly not as fancy as some of the current jobs but it worked OK, although I seldom used it for altitude as it was so fiddly and the readout so small.  It was occasionally useful for seeing what the pressure had been doing overnight. 

I’ve emailed you Paul. That’s a very generous and kind offer thank you.

I have a suunto vector very useful for ski touring where you can't pace distance. Also when skiing down glaciers in a whiteout and need to avoid getting to low and going onto an area of crevasses etc.