Altimeter in the plane, does it work?

[raxxal]

Does any one know if the altimeter in a Suunto watch works while in the plane? I have a Casio Pathfinder, but the altimeter does not work in the plane.

How about the compass, does it work as well?

Thanks,
Raxxal

	Suunto Visit SuuntoWatches.com to see Suunto's full line of wrist top computers and compasses.

	Compass Compasses are sensitive, absolutely crucial instruments to precision navigation. The earth's magnetic field, inclination, and your longitude and latitude all influence the horizontal plane of a compass needle. As a result, compasses are balanced for different geographical zones. Suunto Compasses overcome this limitation to traditional compasses by using a simple 'Two Zone System'. With a Suunto Compass, the only 'balancing zones' are the northern and southern hemispheres. In addition to this innovation, certain Suunto Compasses come equipped with useful features like luminous needles and marks, centimeter/inch scales, magnifying glasses, clinometers, sighting notches, and more.

[blaine]

Air pressure must be measured to estimate altitude. So, if you are in a plane that does not adjust air pressure, it will work -- at least a little. You may find it sluggish during fast elevation changes.

However, you are probably concerned with commercial flights & I'd be surprised if you find any that don't adjust air pressure.

[uccprince]

It does work as long as you're not in a pressurized cabin. I've used my X6HR to measure and log flights in both a glider and private aircraft. Makes for some very interesting profiles.

All commercial flights are pressurized, and since the Suunto uses barometric pressure to estimate altitude, it doesn't work on these. The average long haul flight has a cabin pressure equivalent to being about 6000 feet above sea level.

The compass does seem to work on all flights.

	Suunto Visit SuuntoWatches.com to see Suunto's full line of wrist top computers and compasses.

	Suunto X6 HR - Click for more info Just when you thought a sports watch couldn't get any better, Suunto introduces the X6 HR, X6 HRM and X6-HRT. These are truly the next generation in sports watches, packed with all of the technology that Suunto enthusiasts have been craving. Designed for Cross Sports applications, the X6 writstops are functionally very similar to the Suunto X6 - but with the added benefits of a heart rate monitor.

	Compass Compasses are sensitive, absolutely crucial instruments to precision navigation. The earth's magnetic field, inclination, and your longitude and latitude all influence the horizontal plane of a compass needle. As a result, compasses are balanced for different geographical zones. Suunto Compasses overcome this limitation to traditional compasses by using a simple 'Two Zone System'. With a Suunto Compass, the only 'balancing zones' are the northern and southern hemispheres. In addition to this innovation, certain Suunto Compasses come equipped with useful features like luminous needles and marks, centimeter/inch scales, magnifying glasses, clinometers, sighting notches, and more.