For hang gliding???

[relate2]

Could you please tell me if a Suunto altimeter watch would work me whilst hang gliding? I was looking at a Casio Altimeter watch and the manual stated that it was unsuitable for hang gliding or sky diving due to the rapid changes in air pressure and temperature whilst flying.

Thanks.

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

[relate2]

Is anyone out there....

Come on, can anyone help me with some information.

[Steve]

It would be the same as the casio, the barometeric changes would really throw off the altitude. But I have heard from some skydivers that have said differently. But in theory no it would not be able to work.

[relate2]

Thanks Steve for your reply.

I finally went to some shops and looked at the Suunto and Casio watches and decided that both were out of my price range. The Suunto here in Australia start at around $700 up to $1,600 for their GPS watch. The Casio was from $430 on special up to about $560 plus no PC link.

I eventually went with an Oregon Scientific which had Altitude, Barometer, Heart Rate and PC linkage for $200 plus $60 for the PC linkage module. I could have bought one without the Heart Rate for $150 but I did not like the look of it. So for $260 I have a watch with the same features as the Suunto and the important PC linkage which the Casio did not have.

So if the altimeter is not very successful with my flying I can sort of write off $260 where $700-$1,600 is way too much for a time keeping trinket.

I have not had a chance yet to fly with the watch but it appears to be quite accurate once it is calibrated to sea level barometric pressure or altitude of a known place.

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

	Suunto X9i - Click for more info Introducing the Suunto X9i - the new and improved version of the Suunto's X9, voted "Best Product of 2004" by Fortune Magazine. Now available in two colors, the X9i combines GPS functionality with an altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer ... all these instruments, packed into a single watch.

[steves]

I do not entirely agree with the moderator’s reply. For some time now the vector has probably been the most popular altimeter wrist watch among my fellow pilots in the powered paragliding community. I can’t remember how quickly the altimeter can be set to update on the watch but it’s probably at least every 5 seconds else I wouldn’t have bought it.
Below 200ft agl my attention is likely to be elsewhere (looking out for trees, powerlines, and towers) rather than on gadgetary, and above 200ft I found it adequate for flying with.
As you are not under power and probably spend a fair bit of your flight time searching for lift, why wouldn’t you want to be using an altimeter with built in variometer instead anyway?
I personally have sent my vector back for repair three times in less than 5 years, and now it has failed again I’m looking for an alternative watch rather than another $55 - $85 repair bill.

	Suunto Vector - Click for more info Suunto's original Wristop Computer, the Vector changed the face of sport watches forever with its groundbreaking combination of features, including an altimeter, barometer, electronic compass, digital log book, and watch. Introduced in 1998, the Vector was the first watch to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest. In addition, the Vector won the prestigious European Outdoor Award - Product of the Year in 1999/2000.

[Dawn]

I'd love some advice as well as I'm looking for a suitable watch for hang gliding and thought of the vector but would like to hear recommendations for other models as well.
______
Home | My Paragliding Buddies

	Suunto Vector - Click for more info Suunto's original Wristop Computer, the Vector changed the face of sport watches forever with its groundbreaking combination of features, including an altimeter, barometer, electronic compass, digital log book, and watch. Introduced in 1998, the Vector was the first watch to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest. In addition, the Vector won the prestigious European Outdoor Award - Product of the Year in 1999/2000.

[Tyler]

Another choice would be a kestrel meter, see Kestrel Wind Speed Meter | Weather Meters - Free Same-Day Shipping

[bagwinger]

I believe the most important thing is the refresh rate. I use a Suunto while paragliding and it works great. The last two altimeter watches my wife bought me didn't work well because after a few minutes in the alitmeter mode, they would only refresh every two minutes. The Suunto I fly with refreshes very fast continuously. I've never looked at the manual, but it appears to take a new reading every 5 to 10 seconds, plenty for general hang gliding / paragliding (unless you like to spiral dive in the fog and need your watch to know when to pull up!!).

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

[ejunge]

I would not recommend a suunto for either of these applications. I know several friends who recommend a core for these applications, but I cannot recommend this. The refresh rate on the Core is about a second. But for something like parachuting or hangliding where you need absolutely accurate info I would suggest that you get an altimeter designed for these applications.

Don't get me wrong. the Core is freakin accurate, but it simply was not designed for these applications. If you choose to do so, it it at your own risk..

Hope that this helps,

Kirby

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

	Suunto Core - Click for more info The Suunto Core is the benchmark of Suunto's ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) wristop computers, furnishing the best features of top-selling Suunto predecessors, and then advancing upon their legacy with innovative environmental monitoring functions that any outdoor adventurer will find invaluable. The Suunto Core is the culmination of years of testing, research, user feedback from the field, and technological advancements in the Suunto laboratory.

[howardwhite]

My Vector has about 100 skydives from altitudes to 14,000 MSL. I've found it remarkably accurate in freefall, easily tracking closely to my other visible and audible altitude measuring thingies. Of course it's important to set ground altitude (above MSL) correctly.
For what it's worth.

HW

	Suunto Vector - Click for more info Suunto's original Wristop Computer, the Vector changed the face of sport watches forever with its groundbreaking combination of features, including an altimeter, barometer, electronic compass, digital log book, and watch. Introduced in 1998, the Vector was the first watch to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest. In addition, the Vector won the prestigious European Outdoor Award - Product of the Year in 1999/2000.

[Amir]

I fly hang glider but use the Suunto only as a back up.
I have X6 so I can record each flight like barograph and to see it
later on the computer.

Amir

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

	Suunto X6 - 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.

[Tarrant]

Originally Posted by relate2

Could you please tell me if a Suunto altimeter watch would work me whilst hang gliding?
Thanks.

From page 6 of the X-lander's manual:

"Note: The Wristop Computer should not be substituted for acquiring measurements that require professional or industrial precision and should not be used to acquire measurements when skydiving, hang gliding, paragliding, gyrocopter riding and flying small aircraft."

So, use at your own risk

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

	Suunto X-Lander - Click for more info The Suunto X-Lander watch is the combination of an altimeter, barometer, compass and watch - the same features as the award-winning Suunto Vector, but with a mineral crystal glass face, carbon fiber back, and a leather or polyurethane band.