Private Pilot Friendly Altimeter-GPS Watch?

[Maps_Guy]

I can't tell if one of the watches is targeted, or suitable, for private pilot use (altimeter with adjustable barometer combined with compass and GPS).

Do any of your watches combine Altitude, Compass & GPS?

	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.

	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.

[Tyler]

None of the watches are currently targeted for Private Pilot use, however we have, in the past, sold watches to pilots of small planes, balloons, blimps, and gliders. They are typically using them for back up purposes.

Suunto Oy (Finland), the manufacturer, has never, and my guess, never will recommend them for accurate flying use (they have also not been accredited to perform these functions).

They are the fastest updating altimeter watches on the market, and allow for barometer adjustment, just as you would on an airplane altimeter.

The new 9 series will have 12 channel GPS included and will be available in the G9 (Golf), M9 (Marine), X9 (Cross Sport) and S9 (Skiing). Altitude will be achieved in these watches by triangulation of the GPS signals, rather than barometric pressure, and therefore will be dependent on clear signal reception. This could be a problem in the closed cockpit of an airplane.

Also, on barometer reliant altitude models, in a pressurized cabin, the watches will not be accurate because they will be reading the altitude of the pressurized cabin (usually 9,500 ft.)

Just to be 100% clear, Suunto Watches are not suitable or targeted for private pilot use.

	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.

	Suunto G6 - Click for more info The new Suunto G6 enables the golfer to discover the perfect swing. After each swing, they can check their tempo, rhythm, backswing length and speed. This feedback helps identify the best shots, developing muscle memory to repeat only the good shots. After the session, the players can analyze their overall consistency.

[Maps_Guy]

Hi Tyler,

Thanks for the reply!

I wouldn't want to use a handheld flashlight to see the flight instruments either, but it sure beats nothing if you've lost electrical power and the cockpit is dark.

I sure didn't want to imply that I'd expect a retail targeted watch to be used as a primary flight instrument. What I was wondering is if you offered a watch with altimeter, compass and GPS, and if so were they independent instruments and what were the performance capabilities and limitations (e.g., how fast does altitude update, what's the altitude accuracy, etc.).

I'm working on my private private license and thought it would be really kewl to have such a watch for emergency backup. Most planes I'll be flying in the near future will not have a pressurized cabin, so that wouldn't be a problem.

	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.

	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.