"One of the best investments to my field gear" - Review of Highgear Summit Altimeter Watch

I was skeptical at first about how accurately altimeters measure altitude, especially those that use a barometer to do it. However, I have found this watch exceptionally good at measuring altitude with a precision that is within a 1:24000 topoline. Just as long as you calibrate either the barometer or altimeter-which is accomplished easily by topomaps, GPS, or other means-the watch will work fine (You shouldn't rely on a single instrument anyways to get around in the wilderness). The temperature I have found to read just fine, even though the Summit is on my wrist when it measures temp, it always measures ambient air temps and not that of my body (again, double checked by a thermometer). The 6 hour forecast actually works (as long as it is calibrated correctly)! The only downside to this watch is the compass. I have found that the compass bearing oscillates quite a bit unless the watch is level and motionless. But the oscillations eventually dampen and the bearing can be accurately read (again, measured against another compass w/same declination), good enough to find your way through thick Rhododendrons and briars, and the declination is a sweet little addition. All in all a great field watch without breaking the bank, and backcountry shipped my purchase expediently good job people!
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