With the advent of Google Earth and other advanced mapping tools, elevation calculation is much easier, but still nothing beats having a mobile mountain computer on your wrist for on-the-fly weather and altitude information. While Freestyle has long served the outdoor sports community, the Nomad is the first full-fledged altimeter watch they’ve offered.

About the Freestyle Nomad

Built with all the standard altimeter watch features you’d expect (altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer), plus all the standard watch features, the Nomad is built to keep you informed while in the backcountry. Large, glove-friendly buttons and a behemoth display makes this watch easy to use and read.

With it’s three-line display (top is dot matrix, bottom two are standard digital), the Nomad can display a variety of data in each of the primary modes. Available in three bold colors, the Nomad will definitely garner some attention all by itself, so don’t expect to fly under the radar.

Freestyle Nomad specs:

• Day, Date, Calendar
• Compass with degrees and direction
• Barometer with pressure trend
• Altimeter with cumulative ascent and descent
• Single rolling logbook
• Altimeter trend graph for past 11 hours
• 99 lap memory chronograph
• Countdown Timer
• 5 alarms
• Electroluminescent backlight
• Thermometer
• Colors: white/pewter (tested), silver/black/yellow, black/white
• MSRP: $160 USD

Freestyle Nomad Altimeter Watch Review

I’ve been able to flog the Nomad in the Utah backcountry for several months at this point. It’s been with me to the top of Mt. Wolverine (10,795 ft.) and various points in between–including many days at the office while wishing I was in the backcountry. As the first real ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) watch from Freestyle, this thing is packed with functions.

With an altimeter that can measure from -500 ft. all the way up to 29,500 ft., the Nomad altimeter watch will keep track of every adventure you can throw its way. It does have accuracy down to 1 ft., which is nice, but does take longer to set the reference altitude because it scrolls in one foot increments.

While in time mode, the display has a lot of data (day, date, time and altimeter profile), but the time doesn’t get lost–thanks to the large center display.

The buttons are very easy to operate–even with gloves–and the menu structure is simple and straightforward. At this pricepoint, you aren’t getting some of the bells and whistles available in other higher-priced models, but you get everything necessary to track your outdoor adventures and guide you in a pinch.

I’ve found the altimeter to be as accurate as any other altimeter watch I’ve used. Just a couple of frustrations with the altimeter mode. First, the reference altitude never stays where you set it, but immediately drops 10-15 ft.  And, the logbook is cumulative, not constrained to a day or date range.  Showing the overall ascent and descent gets less useful over time because when I drive back and forth to work, I lose 400 and gain 400 ft.  Having an event-based logbook would be much better.

The watch’s size is quite large. In fact, it is larger in diameter than the Suunto Vector (aka “the shield”), but thinner in profile. Over time, I became more and more accustomed to the size, but the hard plastic strap did get annoying.  I prefer a much more pliable rubber that flexes a bit more during use.

While this watch does have a thermometer, keep in mind that it’s only accurate when removed from your wrist for a time. This is the same as with every watch thermometer on the market, so don’t be surprised when the temperature is off while wearing it.

The compass function worked really well and helped me re-confirm my sense of direction on a few socked-in occasions. It’s very nice having all the data the Nomad provides right there at my fingertips.

Good Nomad

• Large face shows lots of information
• Buttons are easy to use with gloves
• Accurate readings
• Graphing display
• Bold styling… I had many complements on it
• Countdown timer comes in handy

Bad Nomad

• Watch is quite large–no way around it
• Strap material is too stiff
• Backlight duration is time-based only and doesn’t auto-extend if other buttons are pressed
• White face color gets dirty easily
• No event-based saved logbook

The Bottom Line on the Freestyle Nomad Altimeter Watch

Hopefully I’m not sounding too critical as this watch does provide a lot of function for the price. Do keep in mind that this it is very large, so the petite need not apply.  The function of this watch has been as good as any altimeter watch I’ve tried. A few  shortcomings, and some missing features (primarily an date-based logbook), yes but overall a nice package with bold styling not found on other altimeter watches.

Buy Now: Search for the Freestyle Nomad on GEAR.com

I’ve seen and used many of their altimeter watches in the past and have found them to be highly functional and feature-rich for their $130-$160 price range, which is half the cost of those from other top brands. The entire line of Highgear products spans from pedometers to altimeters to portable mp3 players and other handheld tools commonly used in the backcountry.

About the Highgear Altis Ti Altimeter Watch

The new Highgear Altis Ti was introduced late last year as the new top-of-the-line altimeter watch offering from Highgear. Drawing on the best from their existing product line and coming up with a few cool new features, Highgear has certainly raised the bar with this new flagship model.

In case you skipped high school chemistry, the Ti in Altis Ti stands for titanium, which is just what the casing is made from. Titanium is lightweight, durable and offers low-key, muted styling. Rounding out the construction elements are a mineral glass face and a flexible rubber strap.

This watch is as full-featured as an altimeter watch gets, but it still comes in at an astounding $250 price point. Here are a few more feature highlights.

• Digital Altimeter: -2296 ft. to 29520 ft working range, ascent/descent rate, 20 altitude logbooks, 24-hour auto log, 3 altimeter presets
• Barometer: sea level and absolute pressure, viewable in mbar/ hPa or inHg, weather forcast and 24 hour weather trend
• Digital Compass: adjustable declination
• Digital Thermometer: 14 to 140 degree range
• Ski Chrono: ski time from start to base altitude, rate of descent
• Chronograph: 1/100 second timing, 50 laps with split, best and average
• Other Altis Ti Features: dual time, dual alarms and configurable data display on each screen
• Visit Highgear.com for more details

Highgear Altis Ti Watch Review

I’ve had my hands on nearly every altimeter watch in existence over the past 10 years. Everything from Suunto, Polar, Casio and Highgear has tracked my vert on skis, on foot and on two wheels up and down the Wasatch Front here in Utah. The new Highgear Altis Ti is one of the best-looking and most functional altimeter watches I’ve tested to date. I’m not a fan of having multiple watches, so I really appreciate the subtle good looks of the Highgear Altis Ti.

Looking at the watch in detail, the titanium casing, mineral glass face, multi-functional display and rubber strap set the tone for how the watch would work in the real-world. It’s durable and good looking in the backcountry and in the board room.

I really like the multi-functional display with plentiful viewing options in every mode–something not all watches offer (ahem… Polar AXN series). While in time mode, there are options to view time, date, day, current weather, temperature, altitude and barometric pressure. Then, going into each subsequent mode, there are multiple view options within each. I particularly like all the display options while in altimeter mode where ascent/descent rates and graphs are available. There’s sure to be the right view for your activity.

Speaking of the altimeter mode… I haven’t seen a watch yet that compares to the Altis Ti in ease of managing your known altitude settings. It has three built-in reference altitudes for re-calibrating your altimeter. I use one for home and another for the office. I have yet to need the third one, but it gives me more flexibility.

Logbooks are easy to start and they record the total ascent/descent, average rate of ascent/descent, laps and total time elapsed. It’s great to use on a mountain bike ride or backcountry tour to see what kind of vert you are tackling. And, if you want to track the vert and rate of descent on a single run, the ski mode can do just that.

The flexibility continues in barometer mode where both sea level and absolute barometric pressure are displayed and can be calibrated. Graphs, comparisons and historical data is stored for viewing with the touch of a button.

Overall wearability of the watch is great. The size of the watch is on par with most other altimeter watches–not small, but not behemoth like the Sunto Vector. The rubber strap is nice and comfortable, though it could be a bit thinner and softer as I found it a tad too stiff under some circumstances and especially under my gloves and jacket while backcountry skiing.

The backlight feature is nice and I like that it is activated by a single, dedicated button instead of being used for multiple functions (Suunto’s do this a lot). However, the light only lasts for a quick 5 seconds and isn’t automatically extended if you press any button. So, if you want to set your alarm at night, you’ve got to press the light button repeatedly until you get things set properly–kind of a pain.

With complex watches like these, there is inevitable button overlap–where one button does many different things depending on the mode. However, the “set/clear” and “stop” buttons don’t really make sense in either the logbook chronograph mode. To stop a logbook requires that you hold down the “start/lap” button… huh? And to clear your chronograph, you hold down the “stop” button. Again, lots of buttons and lots of functions, but these two are particularly confusing.

The Bottom Line on the Highgear Altis Ti

This watch is definitely one of the best altimeter watches for the money. It’s styling is great for both backcountry and casual use and the rubber strap is much more comfortable than some of the metal ones found on other comparable models. There are a few design misses with button discrepancies and a short light duration, but those shouldn’t detract from the great function of this watch. The compass, altimeter and barometer features are as good or better than any watch I’ve tested and the price ($250 MSRP) is outstanding for what you’re getting.

Buy Now: Search for Highgear Products at REI

I then stepped up to the Suunto Vector (a.k.a. the Hockey Puck). The Vector was by far the most advanced altimeter watch of the day, but it came with a price–it’s HUGE size. This thing is behemoth, but it’s still one of Suunto’s top selling watches because despite it’s size, it’s super light and comfortable to wear. And, it works great!

Since the Vector, I’ve thoroughly tested and owned several of the latest altimeter watches from Polar, Timex, Origo, HighGear and Suunto. They all work essentially the same way; translating barometric pressure changes into altitude changes. Yes, an inexact science, but it’s the best there is (aside from cumbersome GPS watch technology, but we won’t go there). Lets dig into the technology behind altimeter watches and why you would want one in the backcountry.

I caught up with Ryan Hamsho, International Sales Manager for HighGear to get some specific information on how altimeters work and why you should have one. I’ve include some of his thoughts below.

How Altimeter Watches Work

Lets first get into how altimeter watches work. The simple explanation is that the higher you go, the less atmosphere is above you, the lower the air pressure is, so the higher the altitude. Altimeter watches use the atmospheric pressure as the method to modify the altitude up or down. Most current altimeter watch models track altitude changes in 3 ft. (1 meter) increments.

Because altimeter watches rely on the actual pressure reading for altitude measurement, most altimeter watches display both the adjusted-for-sea-level pressure reading and absolute air pressure–so as not to confuse you too much when you compare readings to what you see on TV or in the paper, which is adjusted for sea level.

Ryan Hamsho of HighGear, shared the following on how altimeter watches work:

An altimeter does not actually measure altitude directly, but rather just atmospheric pressure. So an altimeter is actually a barometer created for a specific purpose. The altimeter uses the changes in atmospheric pressure to determine the changes in altitude. Why does pressure change with altitude? Simply put, the pressure at any given point in the atmosphere around the earth is a result of the weight of the atmosphere above it (pulled down by gravity). For this reason, the higher in the atmosphere you are, the less atmosphere you have above, and the less pressure exerted on you.

He went on to say that the best way to calibrate an altimeter watch is to adjust your reference altitude on a regular basis–daily if you want it as accurate as possible. The best way to know your exact altitude anywhere in the world is by using Google Earth. Google Earth provides the most accurate altitude readings by searching and clicking in your exact location. See below for the exact altitude of the base of Main St. in Park City, UT (7040 ft.).

Keep in mind that altimeter watches are not scientific instruments. They are merely gauges to give you the best estimate on the current altitude. If kept properly calibrated during a day that has fairly stable weather, they should prove to be very accurate overall. In varying weather conditions, you will see some variation. Again, it’s essential to know the reference altitude to get back on track.

As a side note, I once had a customer purchase a Timex altimeter watch from the now defunct FeedTheHabit.com Online Store. He was a real estate agent from Florida and he wanted to measure exact variances in altitude to know which properties were more desirable. Remember… he was in Florida where every foot counts. I wish I would have known that before he made the purchase. Needless to say, he returned the watch because it wasn’t consistently accurate without daily user calibration. And, that’s not the intended purpose of an altimeter watch.

Why Should You Have an Altimeter Watch?

Today’s outdoor enthusiast wants to know all the details of their adventures. Handheld GPS units and altimeter watches are now commonplace in the backcountry and with good reason. They can be helpful tools when navigating mountain peaks or cross-country travel because most of them also feature a digital compass and thermometer–all handy features to help you analyze your surroundings and keep track of where you are as well as the current and upcoming weather.

Lets go back to Ryan from HighGear to answer this question from his perspective:

We are an information and curiosity-driven society. Therefore, there are several reasons one might want a wrist or hand-held altimeter (besides the obvious: that they need a time piece) and each reason is based upon a specific application (such as Hiking, Climbing, Mountain Biking and Skiing). Examples of these applications can have varying levels of seriousness. For the hiker, it may be for reasons such as monitoring the altitude for curiosity sake to carefully monitoring the barometric pressure for reasons that may be tied to seeking shelter before the next front begins to move in. In this case, the altimeter could be used as a weather station in addition to its many other functions (time, alarm, chronograph etc.).

For the climber, the altitude is relevant to determine the amount of vertical ascent or descent surmounted in minutes and hours leading to the determination of whether or not they will make an ascent/descent before the sun goes down. Further to that, there is the ability to track total ascent/descent in a 24 hour period of time.

The applications are similar for the skier and mountain biker, but the numbers accumulate in a much quicker fashion. It may be as well that a skier or biker is interested in their vertical speed. The altimeter in cooperation with the chronograph will provide this feedback. All feedback can then be logged and reviewed for future reference.

So, depending upon the type of outdoor activity, the usefulness of the altimeter watch can vary from simple curiosity during an afternoon hike, to a matter of life and death for an alpinist trying to summit a high-altitude peak within a certain time window.

Why I Use an Altimeter Watch

I like using my altimeter watch to track my backcountry skiing and mountain biking travels. It’s interesting to track your vertical ascent/descent on a mountain bike ride, or your overall vertical ascent/descent during a 3-hour backcountry ski trip. And, most models allow you to track your total ascent/descent over a period of time–say, the ski season. A few years back, during the FeedTheHabit.com Dueling Vert Contest our own Kendall Card skied 40,000 vertical feet in a single day. All tracked with his handy-dandy Suunto altimeter watch.

For me, it’s more about knowing how fast and how much–not so much a matter of life and death.

What to Look For in an Altimeter Watch

I’ve used many altimeter watches in my day and have found Suunto watches to be the best in the business as far as durability, functionality and looks. HighGear is a relative newcomer to the industry (started in 1999) and has made huge inroads in the altimeter watch market with plenty to offer at great pricepoints. All HighGear models all feature a Swiss pressure sensor to ensure the most accurate barometric pressure calibration.

If you’re in the market for a new altimeter watch, there are many models to choose from. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before buying one.

My Altimeter Watch Tips:

• Head to your local REI to try them on–they are typically much larger than you think (this goes for women especially).
• Even though some may seem quite large, they all wear pretty well (e.g. you won’t notice their size so much over time).
• Get one with a mineral glass face to avoid scratching.
• I prefer those with rubber straps for use in all outdoor activities. I like to run, bike, hike and ski with my altimeter watch, so I don’t need a bulky metal band to get in my way.
• Unless you are really into analysis, don’t spend extra money on one that allows you to download data to your computer. None of them work on a Mac (my biggest gripe) and you likely won’t use it as much as you think.
• Suunto and HighGear are the market-leaders and are the safest bets as far as quality, durability and functionality. The Suunto Core and HighGear Altis Ti are the latest models.
• If you’re looking for one that also features heart rate functionality, the Polar AXN is a great option.

The latest models from Suunto and HighGear are pictured above. The Suunto Core ($249 – $599) and the HighGear Altis TI ($300) are great options for anyone looking for a nice looking, everyday watch that is also a highly-functional wrist-top computer/altimeter.

BUY NOW: Find the Latest Suunto and HighGear Altimeter Watches at Backcountry.com

Polar’s AXN watch line is aimed at casual to hard-core outdoor enthusiasts. The AXN line consists of three models, each with more features as the number increases: The AXN300, AXN500 and AXN700. More importantly, these watches offer excellent functions specifically for mountain bikers, climbers and skiers.

Polar AXN300 Details

The entry-level Polar AXN300 model is anything but entry-level when it comes to features. The $229 MSRP of the AXN300 puts it inline with similar models from Suunto, but in a smaller package with more features than the popular Suunto Vector.

The AXN300 is packed with many features not found on other watches in this price-point. One of the best features of the AXN300 is something that’s very simple for Polar–the heart rate functionality. Because the AXN300 includes heart rate functionality, it eliminates the need to have multiple watches to track your outdoor activity. With one watch, you can track your fitness level, get an understanding of your training improvement, and understand your surroundings (altitude, barometric pressure, temperature) with the utmost precision.

The altimeter is accurate to one foot increments (can switch between english and metric settings) and the Action Log Files allow you to view your activity and performance after a day skiing, mountain biking or hiking. The Action Logs track the following: duration, average heart rate, maximum heart rate, time in, above and below heart rate zone, calories burned, slope count (number of ski runs), total ascent, average and max ascent/descent rate and maximum/minimum altitude during the action.

Polar’s first foray into the outdoor-specific watch category appears to be well-planned and completely in tune with the needs of outdoor enthusiasts.

The Review of the Polar AXN300 Watch

I’m a pretty tech-savvy guy and out of the box, the AXN300 didn’t seem difficult to me–especially compared to the initial learning curve needed for other altimeter watches. The AXN300′s interface is very straightforward and intuitive. Honestly, I was expecting the face of the watch to be just a tad smaller–more along the lines of the Suunto X6hr–but, it’s still considerably smaller than the hockey puck-sized Suunto Vector.

The initial configuration of the AXN300 was a cinch. I input my personal data (height, weight and activity level), then configured the watch display units, time and date. Setting the altitude was also very easy. Thanks to Google Earth, I’m able to pinpoint the altitude of my house and calibrate the altitude on a daily basis.

Polar’s fitness test, OwnIndex™, allows you to do a sitting fitness test which takes a couple of minutes. This test is based on your resting heart rate and uses your height, age and weight as the basis for your fitness level. Once the fitness test is over, it spits out your VO2 max, or your maximum oxygen uptake. This effectively measures your body’s own ability to carry and utilize oxygen. Lance Armstrong’s VO2 max is at least 85 ml/kg/min, while mine is currently a measly 49 ml/kg/min… Thanks to Polar, my hopes of the Tour de France are now shattered. The bottom line is that I’ve got room for improvement and the AXN300 is a great tool to help me track and maintain a high level of fitness.

A great feature of the altimeter is that it measures in one-foot increments. Most other altimeters measure in three-foot or greater increments, so that’s a great feature for this particular watch. Both the barometer and altimeter screens include small graphs to show your progress. What’s great about the graph in the altimeter mode is that you can change the scale from 1 feet to 10 feet to 100 feet for a clearer view of ascent/descent profiles.

One note on the thermometer. I have yet to find a thermometer that is unaffected by body temperature. That’s just the nature of wrist thermometers. Please understand that you must take the watch off your wrist for several minutes to achieve an accurate temperature reading. This applies to EVERY watch with a thermometer on it–not just the Polar AXN300.

I’m really impressed with this watch overall. I’ve tested several Suunto, Timex and HighGear altimeter watches over the years, and I’d have to say that the Polar is near the top of the list with the Suunto X6hr and Suunto t6 in overall usability. It does offer some features that Suunto does not, like the OwnIndex™ fitness test feature, but it also lacks some great features that those Suunto models offer. In the end, you’ll have to decide which features are most important and what price you’re willing to pay.

I found the smallish buttons surprisingly easy to use–even with gloves on. And, the log files feature is awesome! When you start the timer for an “Action”, a detailed summary of your data during that activity is stored for later retrieval. Data such as total ascent, average rate of ascent, maximum heart rate and maximum altitude are all stored for later viewing. Heck, you can even view your data during an activity. This function works great for skiing and even includes a run counter to finally know how tram laps you really made at Snowbird.

For all the good things about the AXN300, it does have some relatively minor hiccups. The first one I see is the inability to display anything other than time and date on the main screen. Every other altimeter watch I’ve used has the ability to pull relevant data such as altitude, heart rate, speed, etc. onto the main time screen, or select what you want displayed on the other screens. You can see the data, you just have to scroll through the menus. It does seem useless that you can pull in a POLAR logo onto the main screen in place of the current date, but nothing else. I’m also not too keen on the convex shape of the glass face because it greatly reduces the viewable angle of the watch. Also, for some people, the AXN300 may be a bit large, but I found it completely acceptable and inline with similar watches.

The Bottom Line on the Polar AXN300 Watch

Polar’s initial foray into the outdoor watch market is clearly a winner in overall functionality and price. Out of the box, the AXN300 is user-friendly and extremely versatile. I found the watch to be comfortable enough to wear all day and not cumbersome during outdoor activity. Polar is the most trusted name in heart rate monitors and there is no doubt in my mind that this watch will accurately track my performance and help me increase my level of fitness in the outdoors. With only a few minor gripes, the AXN300 is truly an excellent value in the market as compared to similar models from other manufacturers. At a typical market price of $199, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a comparable watch without spending hundreds more.

BUY NOW: Search for Polar Watches

Enter the new Suunto X6HR wristop computer. This watch has more features than any other sports watch ever conceived. With all the standard features found on all Suunto watches like altimeter, barometer and thermometer, this watch adds so much more. The best part about the watch is that it’s much more compact than the Vector and its siblings and the face is mineral glass to protect it from scratches.

An entirely new interface was conceived to allow X6HR users the ability to scroll through and use functions with the ease of a typical cell phone. All the menus are mapped and show you exactly where you are within each sub-menu. It’s obvious that there’s some serious technology packed into this thing.

With the X6HR, you get all the typical logbook functionality found on other Suuntos (but more feature-packed), combined with a heart rate monitor newly developed by Suunto.

Suunto X6HR Review

The X6HR is noticeably less bulky than the Vector, but I quickly realized that the rubber strap would take some time getting used to. I had the Velcro strap on my Vector, which I much prefer to rubber watch bands. That’s a personal preference and has nothing to do with the performance of the watch.

At first, deciphering the layout and functions is daunting (typical of Suunto wristop computers), but much less difficult to understand than the Vector ever was. Scrolling through functions, saving settings and starting/ending logbooks is an absolute breeze. And with the ability to scroll through the data on the watch and on your PC with included software, you’ll know the in’s and out’s of how your workout went.

The heart rate monitor works great — even without conductive slime. I just wet the strap and place on my chest… boom… it starts working perfectly. Setting your heart rate limits and monitoring your heart rate during a workout is an absolute breeze. I even noticed that my monitoring band was compatible with Polar-equipped machines at the gym, though the watch couldn’t accurately track my heart rate on the treadmill.

The new logbook features are substantially more involved than before, yet much easier to use. There are basically four different ways to maintain a log: HR/Altitude Chronograph, Altitude Chronograph, HR/Hiking Log and Hiking Log. Depending on the type of activity, duration and whether you want to track your heart rate or not, you can choose to start a simple chronograph or use the hiking log feature — each one stores different information.

The HR Chronograph Log feature is great for sessions shorter than a day. To begin a session, simply start the chronograph and everything is then recorded in 2, 10 or 60 second increments. Your altitude, rate of ascent/descent, total ascent/descent and heart rate are all stored for future use on the watch or can be downloaded to your PC. If you do not want to use the heart rate monitor, simply start the chronograph and all information will be stored without the heart rate.

The Chronograph Log feature stores detailed altitude information to view your altitude profile on your PC, but the Hiking log feature (intended for multi-day logs) does not store a detailed altitude profile for later retrieval.

The Hiking Log feature is meant for long excursions and tracking your heart rate over a long period of time. Only total ascent and descent is stored along with all the other heart rate and time data. During a Hiking log, you can set up to 10 “waypoints” to get a rough profile of your altitude. If you were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from White Pass to Mt. Adams, you might choose specific “waypoints” where you might want to mark a high or low point along the way.

Basically, the Chronograph Log feature is perfect for most day-to-day activities including trail running, skiing, day hikes and mountain biking. If you’re on a multi-day adventure or a mountaineering trip, the Hiking Log is the ticket.

The included Suunto Activity Manager software is a great way to track your individual workout progress and activity. It hooks up to a serial port (no USB cable) and downloads the data to your computer quickly and easily. It’s pretty sweet keeping track of different types of workouts and comparing each day’s performance.

The Bottom Line on the Suunto X6HR

Man, oh man… this watch sure has a lot of features — some of which I haven’t used just yet. I didn’t even mention the inclinometer, improved digital compass with self-calibration, barometer, thermometer, dual time and more. Yeesh… this watch is packed with super-cool features for the tech geek in all of us.

Overall, the user interface is much improved over previous Suunto watches. The design is more compact and functional than ever before. I absolutely love having one watch that can do everything from tracking my heart rate to telling me the current temperature. As a pure tech geek, this watch leaves nothing wanting.

Granted the price is a bit steep (retail is $449, but can be found for $399 below), but you’re getting a quality timepiece that will be the best workout tracking companion you’ll ever own. The Suunto X6HR is a definite improvement on previous models and has every imaginable feature any cross sports athlete could ever want.

Buy Now: Search for Suunto Watches

For one thing, the size of the screen is necessary to show all the great functions available on this watch. The Suunto Vector sports a thermometer, barometer, altimeter, rate of ascent and descent, total vertical logs, digital compass and oh yeah, all that normal watch stuff like dual alarms, countdown timers, stopwatch and the works. Another nice feature is that the battery can be found anywhere and replaced easily by you. Mine ran out in a little over a year and I got a new one at the local Radio Shack.

The watch functions like a charm, but I do have to say that figuring out all its complexities is a bit daunting. For a long time I was reluctant to use the cool Log Book feature because I thought I needed a PhD and my BA just wasn’t cutting it. In reality, the Log Book feature is super easy. When in altimeter mode, all I do is start the log when I begin skiing or mountain biking, then, when finished, I stop the log. It’s that easy.

I can track my rate of descent or ascent. How much vertical I climbed or descended and it keeps that log in the history so I can calculate my total vert for the entire ski season or biking season! Very cool!

The Bottom Line on the Suunto Vector

Overall the watch rules, but at a price of $199, it is a bit spendy. Suunto has now come out with plenty of other watches (Suunto prefers the term, Wrist-Top Computers) with different features for different sports such as yachting, hiking, skiing, climbing, etc.

Smaller people or those concerned with the overall size of the watch may prefer the new Suunto Observer, which provides the same functionality in a sleek, titanium shell.

The Suunto Vector really is an amazing watch and I highly recommend it for the tech-geek in all of us.

Buy Now: Search for Suunto Watches