Does the Escape 203 Altimeter have a backlight?

Hi there,

Just been researching this model. It seems very nice, but I cannot figure out if it has a backlight for use in the dark/poor light. I've seen 'luminous display' quoted on the Suunto webpage but the manual makes no mention of display lighting. One review I read stated 'no backlight'.

What does luminous mean if the display has not backlight and the numbers are black?

Thanks for your help

Andy

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

[Brad]

The E203 doesn't have a light, alarm or compass. However, you can lock the Baro/Alti like the Observer & 6 series......

	Suunto Observer - Click for more info The shock-resistant Suunto Observer is a tool built for outdoor challenges, but its timeless design makes it wearable in any situation. The Observer is 1/3 smaller in both diameter and width than the first generation Suunto Watches (Vector, Altimax, etc). It also features a chronograph, which previously was only offered in the Navitech but is now discontinued.

	Suunto Escape - Click for more info The altimeter of the Escape 203 shows you your current altitude, vertical gain or loss from the start of a hike or climb, as well as your vertical ascent and descent rate in ft/h (m/h). Up to 20 altitude points can be stored into the memory for later reviewing. The one-logbook memory stores total vertical ascent/descent for the log, as well as the maximum and minimum altitudes reached during the activity. The unit also stores the accumulated vertical ascent/descent over a longer period of time. The altitude range extends up to 29,500 ft (9 000 m). The resolution is adjustable by the user to either 3ft (1 m) or 10 ft (5 m).

	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.

[Andy]

Hi Brad,

I received my beautiful green E203 this afternoon (thanks to all involved for the great service).

Although it doesn't have a backlight as you state, the display does have a faint glow to it and some squinting in the cupboard shows it to be readable (it'd probably be even better if I stayed in the cupboard longer to let my eyes adjust!).

As you mentioned, this device has no time alarm (shame) but does have alarms for altitude (height reached) and to alert you to rapidly falling pressure. Apart from the buttons being a little on the firm side, the design and execution of this product seem first class.

I'm off now to climb the local hill for some field testing.

Thanks again for the great service and support.

Andy

	Suunto Escape - Click for more info The altimeter of the Escape 203 shows you your current altitude, vertical gain or loss from the start of a hike or climb, as well as your vertical ascent and descent rate in ft/h (m/h). Up to 20 altitude points can be stored into the memory for later reviewing. The one-logbook memory stores total vertical ascent/descent for the log, as well as the maximum and minimum altitudes reached during the activity. The unit also stores the accumulated vertical ascent/descent over a longer period of time. The altitude range extends up to 29,500 ft (9 000 m). The resolution is adjustable by the user to either 3ft (1 m) or 10 ft (5 m).