ABC Watches

[JSonn]

When you go out into the back country, does a wrist watch count as a part of your gear? ABC watches aka (altimeter, barometer, compass) have loads of features including alarms, sun rise/sun set times, moon phases, ascent and descent times, etc. Is it a useful tool to have on the hunt or just a useless accessory?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

For me, it is a useless accessory. For others it may be useful.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I have a Suunto Vector. I like being able to check my elevaton at a glance, and see the trending barometer. My GPS does all of this too, but it isn't right on my wrist where I can see it. It is a luxury item, but I like it.

 

[dotman]

No need on a watch if you have a gps.

 

[RosinBag]

I have the Suunto Vector HR and love the useful information. It is very helpful with navigation if you don't use a GPS. Although I carry a GPS, the watch is always with me. If you going to take a watch, why not take one that could help you out in a pinch if needed.

 

[bearguide]

i like the gps idea

 

[littlebuf]

i don't know why it never dawned on me that my GPS has an alarm on it.the only reason i wear a wrist watch is for the alarm,feel kinda silly

 

[tradair1980]

Lilbuff , but the GPS goes through batterys alot of them ,if your multiple days and 24 hours . The alarm is the only reason I personally carry a watch as well .

 

[littlebuf]

yeah thats a good point,i hate carrying batteries around the woods.i do leave my gps off most of the time and only turn it on to set way points.may have to experiment a little with battery life this summer. what watches are you guys wearing.i always by a cheapo black one that never makes it through to the next season,but it might be kinda cool to have one with some features

 

[RosinBag]

If you go with an ABC watch, ones that have a barometer graph over a certain period of hours is also helpful with weather prediction. Going down, bad weather may be coming at you, going up, good weather may be coming your way.

 

[craitchky]

I have a Suntu S10, it is a great backup to my gps, and is very handy, being right on my wrist at all times.

 

[idabow]

I carry a motorola droid X in an otterbox has a stand alone GPS with many GPS and mapping APPS available, along with a built in alarm clock and mp3 player. I also carry a brunton restore solar charger so I always have power. Oh and i forgot to mention it also has Angry Birds when the hunting is real slow.

 

[vcb]

I bought the Suunto Core a few weeks ago. Haven't had it in the backcountry yet but really like the features......But I'm a total gear head!!

 

[larryschwartz]

I wear one as my EDC watch. I like having a backup compass with me at all times. I also like the altimeter feature as it helps me locate myself when I'm on a long non-descript ridgeline; if I know the back azimuth from some prominent terrain feature I can plot it across the ridge I am on and then knowing my altitude I just look at where the back aziumth crosses that contour line.