Bushwalking watch

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Bushwalking watch

Postby Ent » Fri 09 Jul, 2010 11:30 pm

Been toying with a specific bushwalking watch such as a Suunto or something similar. Any experience or comments from out there regarding what is needed, what is a gimmick and what is nice along with best place to purchase.

Cheers Brett
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Nuts » Fri 09 Jul, 2010 11:49 pm

I had a Suunto GPS watch, for about a week. Found it bulky and slow to 'pick up'. I was a couple of years younger though, believe they are faster these days
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby juney » Sat 10 Jul, 2010 9:27 am

I have a Suunto T6C - but it is a training, not outdoor watch. Very happy with it though. My watch band did have issues and delaminate. They replaced it free of charge and said they have changed the composition of the T6C strap now so it is stronger. Fuctionally though, excellent. It does have an altimeter, barometer and temperature but no compass. I take a Silva ADC Summit (not a watch, rather a small hand held device)when I bushwalk, and this gives me 24hr temp, wind speed, altimeter, barometer, weather predictor, apparently wind chill( but yet to work that out)& compass. Its awesome, I only wish now I had have gone 1 model higher to get humidity too.
My partner has the Suunto Core - the silver and green one. The Core models are all the same functionally ie, altimeter, barometer, compass and sunrise, sunset times, they just have different prices reflecting the different housings/straps. He's been happy with it.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Ent » Sat 10 Jul, 2010 9:50 pm

Hi All

Yes Nuts I have discounted the GPS version on the ground of very limited battery life. I like the idea of altimeter and compass as I find that the altimeter gives me the best guide to where I am, or more importantly how much higher hence further I have to go. Wondering about cheaper options but was shocked to find that Casio whats have moved from the reasonably price to ridiculous price category so Suunto appear good value. Toying with a heart rate monitor option as that is "useful" for a techno geak like me.

Cheers Brett
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby sthughes » Sat 10 Jul, 2010 10:50 pm

For you Brett it would have to be the Suunto Core Steel. 200 grams, now that's a watch! :P
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Ent » Sun 11 Jul, 2010 5:02 pm

sthughes wrote:For you Brett it would have to be the Suunto Core Steel. 200 grams, now that's a watch! :P


Um? cheapest price around $500 USA with the band alone costing over $200 USA :shock: Has the bling effect I suppose. Looking at the All Black in military style. Have however noticed that the Core has copped a battering from various buyers. Seams to split between those that love it and those that love to hate it. Wondering if there are better or cheaper options around in other brands. Sure they look sexy but reliability is my major driver as believe it or not I would rather rave about a product than rant about it.

Cheers Brett
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby flatfoot » Sun 11 Jul, 2010 5:36 pm

I've put this topic on my watch list :lol:

I'm in need of a new watch as well ... Although $500 does seem to be a bit steep. Altimeter and compass functions would be useful as well.

Some even have weather forecasting functions. I wonder how well that would work in Tasmania?
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Macca81 » Sun 11 Jul, 2010 8:39 pm

flatfoot wrote:Some even have weather forecasting functions. I wonder how well that would work in Tasmania?


if BOM cant do it, a watch has buckleys chance!
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Nuts » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 10:30 am

Dont know if you saw my fob watch Brett?
It wasnt that expensive. I hadnt thought much about it but ive now had it for 4 years and it seems to have handled some rough going.
Compared the temperature on a couple of occasions and appears reasonably accurate. They have since brought out a new model.
About the only problem was with the screen going blank when cold and using the backlight but I now change the battery a couple of times a year and that hasnt come up again.

Here's one:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-HIGHGEAR-ALT ... 1c134ecd16
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby north-north-west » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 7:10 pm

:roll: :roll: :roll:
A watch is for telling the time, and (although I generally prefer digitals) an analogue version has some advantages. Like being easier to read in the dark. Which is why I use my Citizen Eco-Drive diving watch when out bush. Guaranteed weatherproof in any and all conditions.
Besides, it didn't cost me a cent.

If you need altimeter/barometer/compass, get a GPS with those functions.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Liamy77 » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 7:32 pm

I think bushnell used to make a compass watch along those lines as a cheaper option possibly?
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby corvus » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 7:59 pm

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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Ent » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 10:11 pm

Hi all

Gerry I am checking out the site and some things look good. Yes NNW I have the Eco Drive Citizen watch and GPS but looking for something that is easier to reference on the fly. You can not beat having something on your wrist for ease of use. Actually on more than a few occasions I have forgotten and left my compass with my main pack along with GPS so looking for something that is a little more fool proof for my male memory. Never needed to use either when peak bagging but a rolling in low cloud cover just might make me think leaving such stuff behind is not a good idea.

Toyed with a Garmin 405 but short battery life not much fun out in the real world but would work in a running aid having used the Edge 305 for biking. The Suunto Core series has copped rather indifferent reviews while the GPS versions suffer the same short battery life.

Nuts, not a bad option and a lot cheaper than the Suunto offerings.

Thanks for feedback and leads.

Cheers Brett
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby north-north-west » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 10:17 pm

Ahhhh well, compass and GPS are kept in pockets in the camera bag, so they don't get left behind by accident. That's called forethought. ;)
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Nuts » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 10:23 pm

I thought the battery issue with the suunto was just if using the GPS (ie useful for a backup rather than something for continuous navigation,
ie a bonus (cost aside))
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Ent » Mon 12 Jul, 2010 11:04 pm

Yeah Nuts

All very tricky given the rather scant information around. Heck, even in the Core range you can pay over $150 more depending on the colour let alone the case :shock: The All Black military I think is the same as the Black/Yellow but even from the same seller the price difference is $100 US.

The X10 appears to be the latest GPS version so checking that out in reference to the Garmin 405. My HRM monitor has decided that it like running less than me so gives readings that mean I am either super fit or dead or nearing cardiac meltdown, all within a few seconds :roll:

Yes NNW, if a were a female I would not have the immediate memory of a goldfish when it comes to packing stuff. Actually I now carry a Canon waterproof compact as life in Tassie is just too hard on the SLR, not that it complained, yet, but also too much weight to lug given that I generally walk with a group and find SLR and group walking patterns do not match.

Cheers Brett
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby photohiker » Tue 13 Jul, 2010 7:48 am

I have a Suunto core black. It cost $300 something via ebay, but RYDA has them for about the same money now Better to get Aussie warranty if you can. These things were pushing $500 at Paddys when they came out.

Anyway great watch. It has everything but GPS and heartrate - I use it mostly in barometer/Altimeter mode when walking, and backup compass if needed (not yet). Bulky yes, but heavy no.

Stay away from cheap second hand versions - the early examples were plagued with problems, but they seem to have been solved now. Mine certainly has been trouble free
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Wolfix » Wed 29 Jun, 2011 9:04 pm

Photohiker, do you find you get enough use out of the ABC features to justify the price (or maybe that's not an issue for you, it isn't always)?
I want to get a Suunto Core and can get one for under $200 but think maybe I am overestimating my need for those features and should just get a G-Shock.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby photohiker » Wed 29 Jun, 2011 10:37 pm

Wolfix wrote:Photohiker, do you find you get enough use out of the ABC features to justify the price (or maybe that's not an issue for you, it isn't always)?
I want to get a Suunto Core and can get one for under $200 but think maybe I am overestimating my need for those features and should just get a G-Shock.


Hi Wolfix,

I think I would buy something to wear while bushwalking regardless, so it might as well be a watch with these features. My everyday watch was a wedding present and you can imagine the catastrophe if it were lost or damaged on a bushwalk...

I have to say, I haven't used the compass yet. I'm mindful that it consumes battery and really, I have a GPS, a Smartphone, an emergency whistle with a compass in it, as well as a proper Silva job. How many compasses do you really need? :) I've used the Altimeter/Barometer a lot - Altimeter for keeping track of my progress up the higher hills, and the barometer to help keep track of the weather. The altimeter is handy for planning rest breaks when you're struggling up some mountain.

The G-Shocks are good, just not as focused on hiking as the Core.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Robatman » Thu 30 Jun, 2011 12:19 am

I've got a few different watches and believe not one watch can do it all. I've had a Suunto Vector for over 10 years and take it every time i go bush. i used to wear it in daily life but got sick of looking like i was just about to jump out of a plane! they are big. I've also got a Tissot T-Touch with ABC (alitmeter, barometer, temp) but only use it for fun and car based photography trips and wouldnt want to bash it. I think my Suunto needs a new battery o-ring as it is starting to condensate on really hot and sweaty days.

The way i use it is when i know the height of a summit or way point (look on map before start) it tells me how far i have to go when visual is not clear- ie trees etc. Really helpful and no need to stop or open pack etc.

I also like it for temps in the morning- though the temp will not work on your wrist.

If youve never used one before- be prepared to recalibrate the altilmeter, as they work on air pressure and this changes as the weather changes- no fault or even limitation just the way it works. I just check it each morning against a map of known height when in the bush.

The one thing the Core has that would be nice is the sunrise/set times. For those interested in a very big watch and the heavenly movement check out the YES watch http://www.yeswatch.com/ Love theidea of knowing how much light is left, moonrise etc.

Who doesnt love gadgets?? Though as some have mentioned most smartphones can do alot of these functions as well.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby iGBH » Fri 01 Jul, 2011 3:41 pm

I was looking at getting the Core but couldn't justify the cost for features that in reality would not get used that much. Having said that, i wanted the features so started looking around for a similar but cheaper. Ended up with a Highgear Altiforce. Been very happy with it and its features are as good and in some cases better than the Suunto's.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby yegdod1 » Fri 29 Jul, 2011 3:41 pm

i have a casio twin sensor. it has compass, that works well, and thermometer that works when you take it off your wrist. it was not expensive and works well...
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby corvus » Fri 29 Jul, 2011 9:14 pm

Used a Casio Triple Sensor for several years now and more than happy with what it does :)
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby mrpotter » Fri 06 Jun, 2014 3:10 pm

Just received one of these today - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281339113856 ... 0372079335

Manufacturer's page is http://www.szsunroad.com/en/products_view.php?id=129

Seems like a pretty good buy for the money. It is a little large however you'd have to triple the price, or more, to get anything smaller. I'm also intending to only wear a watch while walking, mainly for the altimeter, thermometer, barometer and pedometer - and the compass can serve as a backup for other nav gear

My initial check of the sensors seems like its fairly accurate
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Mark F » Fri 06 Jun, 2014 4:24 pm

I have used a Suunto Vector watch since 2004. This model is still available I believe. I really like the altitude/barometer readout and I get over 12 months from a battery. Lighter, smaller and cheaper than the Core with pretty much the same functions. No gps but I remain unconvinced by gps in watch format due to battery life and aerial/screen size issues.

If you want temperature (the Vector does have it) I would add in a Tempe unit which connects to Garmin gps's and can be read by many smart phones with the right software and it is not measuring your wrist temperature most of the time.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby walkerchris77 » Fri 06 Jun, 2014 5:12 pm

Mr potter
Haven't heard of that brand and would be good to get a field review once you have worked it all out.
Just make sure u calibrate the compass function with a reliable compass first. I sometimes use my compass function for a rough direction. But it's good to double check especially if you need to be precise in your direction finding. I also checked the other functions against a reliable source just to make sure my watch was accurate.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby Gadgetgeek » Fri 06 Jun, 2014 11:07 pm

I have a Timex E-tide that my wife bought for me as a gift a while back. Does the compass function quite well, and the tide function is a nice to have. the other sensor is a thermometer, which obviously doesn't work on a wrist, but it does seem to work otherwise.
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby walkerchris77 » Sat 07 Jun, 2014 10:08 am

Find the same problem with mine. It reads they temp of your body. Have to take watch off and wait 20 min to get a reading. Looking at getting a small key chain type thermometer as we speak
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby GPSGuided » Sat 07 Jun, 2014 1:57 pm

That's it, I am waiting for the iWatch! ;)
Just move it!
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Re: Bushwalking watch

Postby walkerchris77 » Sat 07 Jun, 2014 3:13 pm

Im pretty sure they are making them already. But may end up like the failed google glass.
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