Customer Reviews

Suunto Altimax Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter and Barometer

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This watch has many great features, and few shortcomings. The bad first, and then the good: First; It is quite big. At first it seems like a hockey puck has been strapped to your wrist. Second; it uses a barometer to guage altitude, and therefore it requires some study, attention to detail, and monitoring and adjustment to get the most out of it.

Now the mitigating factors on these shortcomings: First (large size); while it is a bit large on your wrist, it is quite lightweight, and after a while, you get used to it. Overall, it is quite comforable to wear. The large control buttons are easy to use in winter with gloves on. And, the large display makes the data easy to digest. Second (barometer-based altimeter); all the other altimeter watches on the market work in much the same way, so this shortcoming should not disqualify this watch in comparison to other climbing/skiing watches.

Now the good: First; it has the features you need and not a lot of others you don't. Timekeeping, altitude, barometer. That's it. No other gadgets to confuse and add to the cost. Second; it's very rugged. I've abused mine heartily and it's stood up very well. Third; the features it does have are comprehensive and well executed. Fourth; assuming you master the arcane science of tracking altitude with a barometer -based altimeter, this one is quite accurate compared to some others I've tried (like the casio models).

Quick summary of features: the basic timekeeping functions are great! Time, date, multiple alarms, countdown timer, stopwatch, dual time zone -- all work easily and intuitively.

In Altimeter mode, the main display gives you your current altitude and a quick display of your recent trend. After this, it get complicated. The feature set is robust, and you'll have to spend some time with the manual to master it. It will measure just about anything related to going up or down a mountain that you could ever think of. It can also log these things and remember them for your future use. It can be changed from measuring feet per minute skied (for example) to feet per hour climbed. You name it, this thing can record and measure it.

What I use it for mostly, is just to show me where I am on the mountain in terms of altitude. To do this, you'll need to know what the actual altitude is where you start (parking lot, for example) and use that to set the altimeter. From there, the watch will keep an extremely accurate account of where you go from there. The only problem will be if a new weather pattern moves in. This will cause a change of barometric pressure and will affect the accuracy of the altitude reading.

In barometer mode, this watch will also give you a very accurate warning of a new weather pattern moving in -- as long as you are not changing your altitude substantially. As with the altitude mode, you can ask it to log data into memory to see trends and keep track of pressure over time.

In summary, it is an excellent tool for mountaineers and skiers. Used properly, it is a very accurate tool for navigation and weather forecasting. However, expect to spend some time with the user manual to master the features before you ask it to help save your life. I've tried several of the other watches on the market (Casio, Avocet, Nike) with similar features and this is the best of the bunch.

an excellent watch that could use some downsizing, but its size gives the advantage of an easily readible face. could use a mineral crystal lens...even though plastic and inset, ...but the best feature is the fact that the easily obtainable battery is so easy to replace that the wearer is not discouraged from using the features as often as necessary. Unlike many other digital watches, the band still fits my 6 inch wrist with holes to spare. Although the operational functions are laid out well, I was lost in trying to remember how to operate the watch after storing it away for several months...after all, to download the manual is 50 odd pages. Still I think this is an excellent product that could be made better with the additions I mentioned.

This is very nice and good quality watch but I had to return it because of its size. It is too large and I didn't feel like wearing daily.

I previously owned a High Gear Altimax, and switching to this was a nightmare...difficult to operate, confusing buttons. The mode button hits my wrist all the time time changing modes, the rubber guard keeping the strap tight come loose very often, and visually, the digital display is confusing when unless looking directly on it, as the numbers blend making it difficult to see what time it is. Poor selection. High Gear was not much more $ and easier to use.

As an outdoor enthusiast, from the water to the mountains, I've always had my eye on the Suunto line of watches. When my daughter's boyfriend got a Core (Black), I could hold one and see it close up, and I saw the price on the Altimax I was hooked.

To have instant access to altitude and barometric pressure is like having another sense. I've had it almost a week and we're having a storm today. I can scroll back through the past barometer readings and see its progress.

Pros: It has an Altimeter, Barometer, dual time, stopwatch, countdown timer, multiple alarms. The display is really nice, large and bright, and readable my my increasingly farsighted eyes. I expect the easily replaceable battery will be important.

Cons: Just size. This is a big watch, but worth it. The Core is about 1mm smaller in each direction but twice the price, and display might not be as bright.

I liked the watch. Some may think it's a little big but I didn't think it was too bad. My complaint is the wrist band. It isn't made very well and the band pops out of the holder. It got really annoying so I had to send it back. Went with a casio and am very happy.

Great Watch, this is my fourth, I have bought other models for different purposes and they are accurate and deliver all the performance I have required of them.

This watch is fantastic. I have had it for a little over 8 months and I have not had one problem with it. To make this simple, I will commence in list-fashion:
Pros:
-BIG, easy to read display. You can read this watch from across the Grand Canyon.
-Lightweight. You don't believe it until you feel it, but this thing is as light as a small, crappy Timex.
-Very accurate (IF you know how and when to calibrate.)
-A plethora of time-keeping functions that are very easy to navigate to. 3 alarms, stopwatch, countdown, dual time. And, the alarm is very loud, so when you use the stopwatch it feels like a huge, heavy duty stopwatch. Trust me.
-Very good looking. There are very little pictures of this watch on the internet, but I think it looks better then most of the Suunto Cores.

Cons:
-I'm a little weary to take it underwater, since my last altimeter watch (a cheap High Gear Altima) broke that way, but people say that it is fine. I just like the watch too much to take risks.
-Since the face of the watch is so big, the electro-luminescent light is a little faint. You can read it in the dark, but it is a bit disappointing.
-You can't use any other brands of straps, so if you want a velcro strap you need to go to the Suunto website.

Anyway, this watch is just bad-ass. Jack Bauer would definitely wear one.

Good product according the price, wolud be perfect if the temperature is exact no matter you are wearing the watch, good delivery and good user guide.