Suunto Altimax Sport Altimeter Watch - 2006

I bought this specifically for trail running and being able to track vertical gain. Initially I purchased the Vector for this same purpose but once I realized that I could not view the current logbook (the amount of ascent and descent) that I was recording I returned it for the Altimax, willing to give up the compass feature. I have found after several outings of 3000' to 6500' of vertical that it's been within +/- 100' on known routes.
Cons: I have small wrists and it's a large watch, both in diameter and depth. The stopwatch is a bit quirky. The seconds read on the top line, time of day on the middle line, and hours and mins on the bottom line. The split timer doesn't work like a normal stopwatch, where it starts a new timer, this one just pauses it so you can read the display while it continues to run in the background. Getting to the stopwatch function requires at least two to four pushes of the button (depending on the mode you're in). Starting/stopping the logbook and stopwatch are two separate functions (not a deal breaker, just a pain sometimes if you forget).
Good watch, very accurate in my experience, just a little cumbersome to navigate.

Lots of features for the price! Really unbeatable! Good for people who wants a wrist top computer but are on a budget.

The altimeter function is somewhat slow to update, and I have also found that it can be off significantly. The manual provides a section regarding margin of error based on air temperature, however I find the altimeter to be off more than what I would consider acceptable. In some cases, at 5000 feet, it will be off as much as 600 feet (more than 10%). There are instructions for resetting sea level, and this may help, but I haven't had the time to get into it.

This is a surprisingly useful piece of equipment, when you keep in mind the price. I'd have paid quite a bit more to achieve the standards that the Altimeter offers. This all said, it makes constructive criticism rather pointless. Nothing compares at this price. It is a stylish and techy looking watch, so if you're obsessed with the rugged look and feel, maybe have a look around. I guess my only gripe is that it is only waterproof to 30m. But it wasn't built with diving in mind, so fair enough. I'm sure anyone climing a 10,000m summit won't be too worried about its lack of water-resistance. Great watch.

Nice item for the price. It uses Barometric pressure not Satellite to get info. Alt. changes with pressure.

I've had my Altimax since 2001 and I’m very happy. I don't wear it all the time, but I find it to be very well designed and built. The light is a little dim, but in the dark of night it works well enough. It's very comfortable because it is so lightweight due to the plastic crystal. (When it gets scratched, a little plastic polish does the trick.) Add an inexpensive watch-band compass and you have it all! (However I do NOT recommend the very uncomfortable Suunto watch-band compass)

When you're enjoying high alpine sports, you definitely need an altimeter. The Altimax is a watch that everyone can afford, and its functions are as good as any other wristop! The Altimeter stays accurate, even after a day of skiing. The watch you get for the price is pristine!