Altimeter/compass watch - Suunto?

Altimeter/compass watch - Suunto?

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Discussion

andy_s

Original Poster:

19,607 posts

266 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
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Thinking of getting a Suunto Vector for second watch use when up in the hills. It's got a few functions that are a bit easier than my regular watch (stopwatch/alarm) plus it has the, albeit gadgety, altimeter/compass/barometer functions. I owned one a few years back and wondered if there was anything on the market with similar functions/price that people could rec'd for an alternative option.


mach1

121 posts

290 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
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Hi, I looked at this type of watch a litle while ago when I was after a second watch to wear outdoors. In the end I went for a Casio Protrek because it did everything I needed at a reasonable cost (£152 from Amazon). I've used it a few times now, it's a big chunky watch and it appears fairly bullet proof. I think that the Suunto is probably more accurate so if you need something to rely on it might be worth the extra cost. I've got nothing to base this on, just that the Suunto seems to be favoured by more 'professional' outdoor people.

After I'd bought the Casio I found that Tissot also do something similar with the One-Touch. (About £330).

Winton

106 posts

221 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
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I have a Suunto Vector for when I'm in the mountains or out at the crag - great watch and as hard as nails. Also very good trend shown on the baro so you can see when the weather is coming in. The compass is pretty ropey but great if you have lost your main one....

Bear in mind that these watches were built for the purposes of which you speak - as opposed to mass produced watches with a baro stuck onto it.

Kerberos

160 posts

209 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
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I've had a Suunto Vector for about eight years now and they're bomb proof. I've abused it every way possible on rock, ice and snow and still keeps going. I've climbed with mine all over the world and got batteries and even replacement battery cover seals with ease and as winton said the barometer function is spot on, even when just viewing the trend arrows in the top quarter.

If it broke now I'd buy another tonight!

andy_s

Original Poster:

19,607 posts

266 months

Sunday 24th June 2007
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Thanks guys - pretty much my experience with the Vector - a friend I lent it to has lost it in a glovebox somewhere in the States, so I was wondering if there was anything better but after hunting I decided that there probably wasn't!

BUT - then I managed to source an all black X-Lander (same functions/mechanisms as the Vector but in an aluminium case with glass face) for about the same as the Vector. I'll give this a go anyway as I fancied a change.

It'll match my Ninja suit!


CVP

2,799 posts

282 months

Monday 25th June 2007
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I've had the standard X-Lander for a number of years now. The watch itself has taken absolutely everything I can throw at it. If I lost it I'd definitely get another one.

Chris

gandhi

229 posts

221 months

Monday 25th June 2007
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I have one which I sometimes use for skydiving as well as out and about in the hills, it really is hard as nails, and the functions on it are very useful. I've had to rely on mine more than I'd care to admit!

Antarctic Mat

206 posts

209 months

Tuesday 26th June 2007
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Hello.
I've used Suunto for years, got out of a few sticky situations in Western Sahara with the compass function and have been wearing it for 2 years now in the Antarctic, never misses a beat. The only thing that annoys me is the strap, it's rubbish, I have been through 4 straps in the last 5 years, not really good enough. Would have another though.
Mat.

phelix

4,497 posts

256 months

Sunday 8th July 2007
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Happy with a Tissot T-Touch titanium; altimeter and barometer functions work fine. Bought in the US for approx £200.