Simply put, an altimeter is a device that measures how high you are (your altitude) relative to sea level or some other fixed point. An altimeter watch is just a watch with an altimeter. Altimeter watches are very common, made by quite a few reputable manufacturers, and can be found at most major outdoor retailers such as REI or online at oegear.com.
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.
Most people want to know how an altimeter watch works. After all, what use is it if you get to the top of the peak or are skiing down your run and your information is inaccurate. In essence, an altimeter watch is just a miniature, digital barometer. Altitude is calculated by applying a simple formula against the barometric pressure to give altitude. Because barometric pressure is used it is important to re-calibrate altitude from known positions when in changing weather.
Who needs an altimeter watch? Skiers, hikers, mountain bikers, sky divers all should have one. Your activity and exact needs will determine which altimeter watch to buy. For example, for a skydiver or skier rate of descent might be a critical function, where for a hiker it may not.
To conclude, an altimeter watch can be a relatively simple device that can be critical depending on your needs. I hope this article has been useful to you and will provide you with food for thought as you evaluate your outdoor gear needs.
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