Ski Computers

[GadgetRick]

Anyone have any comments on the various computers you can get for skiing? I'm talking about the ones you wear on your wrist and they keep track of altitude, vertical feet, weather, etc. I'm thinking about picking one up and was wondering what everyone thought of what's out there.

I've been looking at the various Suunto computers as I used to be an avid SCUBA diver (before a bad accident) and have used their dive computers and loved them. Any thoughts on their gear?

If there are any other patrollers out there who know of anyone providing a pro form for their computer would also be good info for me.

Thanks.

 

[jimme]

See if they have their report on these watches at www.earnyourturns.com

There was a Casio watch the testers liked the best and I think it was about $199. They found it to be the most accurate altimeter watch of the watches tested.

I have an older Casio Altimeter/Compass/Temperture/Baro watch that is very good. Paid about $125. a few years ago. Oh, yeah it also tells the time. :wink:

I can attest to the accuracy of the altimeter function of my Casio. Even the watch manuaI states that they often need to be recalibrated often to be accurate so I was really suprised how well it did. Here's my story- I set it at 480' above sea level at my home. Drove to Saratoga, NY. Then rode to Newark, NJ airport. Got on a plane. Readings varied, sometimes showing about 7000', but then again, I was in a pressureized cabin. Landed in SLC, rode to Alta. The next day while on the chair lift (Germania, I think) I took a reading and son-of-a-gun! It was dead-nuts on, reading something like 10,020 ft, and I believe the lift sign was 10,040 ft. Now, I can't say it's always this accurate as that was the only time I had a chance to test it that way. Pretty much forgot about it after that.

The downside of watches like these are when it comes time to change the batteries. . .leave it to the pros! My Casio has two batteries, and a watertight cover. When I attempted to change the batteries myself I ened up with a non working watch. I just recently mailed the pieces to Casio so they can put "Humpty Dumpty" back together again.

Good luck!

Jimme

 

[SAB]

I have a VERITECH (I think) which is basically an altimeter watch. It has time, altitude, a stopwatch, and an 'Altimeter Stopwatch' which includes total vertical feet (either going up or going down), number of runs, and rate of elevation change. I don't think of it as a 'ski computer' but as an altimeter watch, but I guess this is what you are talking about.

I really like it because I like knowing my vertical - I use this as a gauge to know when to quit (hopefully) just before my bad knee goes south and I get really sloppy. I've had the watch for a number of years and I think it cost about $150 new.

Like mentioned above, the batteries can be the biggest pain. You need to send the watch to the factory for a battery change and it is a bit pricy. Once I tried to get them changed at a jewler - the batteries got changed fine but the calibration on the altimeter got all screwed up and I ended up sending it to the factory anyway.

SAB

 

[GadgetRick]

Thanks...

I appreciate the replies. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm just wondering if Citizen has one. My uncle owns a jewelry store and he's a Citizen dealer. I can get their stuff from him and not worry about factory service and all that for changing batteries.

 

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

I think Avocet had on that loged vert and other stuff.

 

[RossiSkier]

I am looking at a Suunto Altimeter Watch. These look like they would be fun to have. Who owns a SUUNTO? What model??