Altimeter Watch Summary - What They Are And Who Needs One

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Altimeter Watch Summary - What They Are And Who Needs One

There seems to be a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about what an altimeter watch is. There are a significant number of manufacturers and outdoor retailers selling them, and marketing them by other names such as GPS watch, digital compass, etc. The simplest description is that an altimeter watch is a watch that allows the wearer to measure how high you are compared to sea level (your altitude).

There are many altimeter watch manufacturers, including Nike, Suunto, High Gear, and Timex. There also are some smaller ones with great quality and some smaller ones with marginal quality. In my opinion and for the sake of brevity we'll mention two of the largest and best ones - Suunto and High Gear. Buy from either of these companies for a variety of features and prices - their watches run anywhere from $50 to $1000. These manufacturers also offer the best return and refund policies, important as you discover all of the uses for your altimeter watch.

An altimeter is simply a barometer with some math behind it to spit out altitude. Oversimplified, the watch measures barometric pressure and gives altitude. As you get higher, air density decreases, causing lower barometric pressure. Conversely, as you descend, air pressure increases. Other factors like changing weather also affect barometric pressure, so it is important to recalibrate often, especially at the beginning of your time outside and as weather changes.

Are you a skier, mountain biker, skydiver, or hiker? If so, an altimeter watch may be for you. Knowing your elevation can be critical for each of these activities - especially as a safety precaution.

An altimeter watch is a critical piece of gear for most outdoor enthusiasts. I hope this article has provided you with enough information to begin your altimeter watch research.