What To Know About Choosing Your Altimeter Watch Type

When it comes to the technology behind how altimeter watches work, you are limited to essentially two choices - those that calculate altitude by GPS and those that use barometric pressure.

I'll discuss the specifics of each type of altimeter watch in the next few paragraphs. To summarize the difference between the two, GPS altimeter watches use map datum based on position (this position is communicated to a satellite). The majority of barometric altimeter watches use air pressure to determine altitude. This is the original method (by original, the initially discovered method) and the most common method for a watch to determine elevation.

If your altimeter watch is GPS enabled, the way it calculates altitude is by sending your latitude and longitude to a satellite, which likely communicates with the manufacturer and returns your altitude, among a number of other data points. Because of this GPS altimeter watches are considered to be more accurate that their barometric watch counterparts. Not having to recalibrate is one of the obvious benefits to owning a GPS enabled altimeter watch. However, one of the downsides is your position and altitude is often subject to terrain - on flat, open terrain you will have near perfect communication with the satellite. However, in mountainous terrain, particularly in a canyon or gorge, you will often have poor satellite signal, resulting in inaccurate latitude and longitude positioning. Obviously, this results in somewhat questionable accuracy of your elevation. Examples of GPS enable altimeter watches are the Forerunner 305 or the Suunto X10.

99% of altimeter watches on the market use barometric pressure to determine altitude. The calculation is very simple and can be found by googling "barometric pressure to altitude conversion". This calculation is stored on the internal software on the altimeter watch. Because barometric pressure altimeter watches use outdoor conditions to determine altitude, the accuracy of the elevation readout is often skewed by changing weather conditions. Because of this, you need to calibrate your altimeter watch when beginning your outdoor activity, then re-calibrate frequently at known points. The mostly widely bought altimeter watch manufacturers are Suunto and HighGear.

The entry price point for GPS enabled altimeter watches is around $250. While a bit more expensive than the barometric pressure altimeter watch (lowest price of around $100) often GPS altimeter watches come with many features, such as trip distance, not in their barometric counterparts. When looking for a watch compare carefully the individual watch feature set that best matches your needs.

Learn more about the types of Altimeter Watches. Stop by Anthony Edward's site where you can find out all about the best altimeter watch for your needs.

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This post was written by Eddie Birdhouse on March 17, 2010

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Soft In Appearance But Hardy Make Of A Swiss Army Watch

The Swiss Army patent is of a lot of importance to the people who are informed of its rare character. The patent confirms good and superior quality of engineering irrespective of whichever product we are talking about. This patent came into being as a result of a knife which was supplied to the Swiss Army by a man named Karl Elsner.

The Swiss army decided to patent and promote the Army Officers knife due to its multipurpose features. With time the Swiss Army officers knife found a complimentary gadget in form of an officers watch.

The officers watches sold under the brand of Swiss Army can be grouped into two; pocket watch and wrist watch. The standard officers watch is a pocket watch which had a simple design but is quite hardy and resilient. These are the basic qualities that are seen in most Swiss Army commodities.

Unlike the officers knife which was loaded with all sorts of useful tools, the Swiss army officers watch contained the bear minute of functions. It was as simple as a time piece could be. Yet it had a certain charm that nobody could deny.

In fact even in todays world where glistening watches overrule, the Swiss army officers watch is still considered to be a classy choice. Hence we find that the officers watch has an evergreen appeal that has kept it in fashion even till today.

Initially the Swiss Army watch was not supposed to be a fashion accessory. The focus of its creation was to have something simple and easy to use and to be able to use it in hardest of conditions. This Swiss Army watch is a gadget that can be used in battles.

Although we find the general man wearing a Swiss army officers watch today as a fashion statement, in the good old days it was only worn by the army men. With time however the Swiss army officers watch got exported to the American army and it is from there that it became a huge financial success.

There is just something about the label of Swiss Army that makes it sell even when surrounded by such luxuriantly designed products. For many people it is a matter of trust. When you find that a certain product is a Swiss army product you can rest assured about its quality and ability to function in the most difficult conditions.

When a person wishes to buy a watch, they rely on a Swiss army brand watch because of its quality. This is the unique preposition of any Swiss army brand product.

Any person who likes a clean, simple and elegant look would get attracted to a Swiss Army officers watch thanks to its engineering.

The author is a connoisseur of watches and has a site dedicated to watches like Swiss army cavalry and officer's watch by Victorinox . Click here to know the latest.

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This post was written by Matt Hartley on October 19, 2009

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