| By :
Roger Brown
Executive Summary: The Casio altimeter watch may well be the best bargain on the market. Its compact design and small form factor make it very distinguishable from its competitors. Key Features: this watch has, of course, altimeter, and barometer, thermometer function, and of course standard watch functions such as countdown timers and calendars. It also has a perpetual solar battery. It will last for six months. Every time you go outside it recharges and it doesn't take very long to accomplish that. Price: you can get a Casio altimeter watch for about $300. More detailed discussion: This product is really a great value and should be of key interest to any outdoorsman. The altimeter that you will get has an accuracy level of +/ -1 m. If you get used to having an altimeter watch it is very difficult to imagine an outdoor life without it. If you're up in the woods and want to be able really narrow down exactly where you are, the Casio altimeter function will provide a triangulation point with your topographical chart information. Also, the altimeter will read up to 32,800 feet. The compass also is extremely accurate. It will measure to within plus or -1°. You have got to be careful where you using it because the manual says it cannot be around metal without getting a distorted readout. However, that is not always the case and you can probably get away with some metal and not cause a problem. The barometer on this watch offers you basic data and allow you to predict some extant weather that's coming. By noting barometric pressure developments, you can forecast rising and dropping air pressures that are suggestive of weather patterns. For example high-pressure which is steady over a long time is frequently indicative of good conditions. Low pressure and fluctuating pressure typically portends greater instability and negative climatic conditions patterns. The thermometer function will likely be accurate to within plus or minus a degree also. Expect it to be able read temperatures as low as -10 C all the way up 60°C. To have a really correct reading though you have to take the timepiece off otherwise will measure the temperature of one's arm. Keep in mind that using this watch to its fullest capability will drain the battery quickly. Therefore, the solar battery on the Pathfinder is extremely useful. You are outside and expose it to ambient light it will recharge. This is much better than a static battery type, like lithium-ion, that will degrade and give you almost no warning that is about to fail. If you're out in the woods you typically don't have battery replacements with you. Altimeter watch batteries tend to fail rather fast so the solar battery function on this watch is extremely helpful. The Pathfinder Casio altimeter watch is extremely useful and a strong product offering by Casio. You will not go wrong by choosing this watch. It looks and feels a lot like smaller standard Casio products without all the functions, so it looks good and you can use it almost anywhere - even wear it work etc.
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