My first impression is that the unit is very rugged and nice looking. Then I tried to use it. I mostly bought it for the altimeter and thermometer. In the first day of use I just ran out of patience and plan to return it.

Here's the problems I had with the Altitech2

1. Most of the time the buttons work fine, but several times I pressed the mode button and the mode did not change.

2. When setting Declination page 25 of the manual states that you can press SET/RESET/LIGHT to reverse the digits, but as soon as you press the SET/RESET/LIGHT button the unit ends the calibration mode.

3. The temperature was stuck at 87.5 degrees for about an hour after purchase. Finally after cycling through the mode buttons the temperature instantly dropped to 81.5 degrees. I held the unit in front of the AC vent in the car until the car was cooled down to 70 degrees, I suspect the air coming out of the vent was actually cooler than 70 degrees. The temperature display never budged from 81.5 degrees.

4. I constructed a rudimentary chamber and placed the Altitech2 unit and a digital thermometer in the chamber. The digital thermometer registered 78 degrees, the Altitech2 registered 81.4 degrees. I blasted hot air in the chamber with a hair dryer. The digital thermometer quickly rose to 116 degrees and I turned the heat off. The Altitech2 stayed at exactly 81.4 degrees. After removing from the chamber the Altitech2 slowly increased to 94 degrees, went down to 92.6 degrees and stayed there for a good 5 minutes. Despite the room temperature being about 78 degrees.

5. The compass will only stay on for 10 seconds, then the display turns off to conserve battery. This never seems to be long enough to get a good fix while using in reference to a map. When the display shuts down you need to press the start button again to turn on the display. Since this button is recessed, you have to reposition your hand to press the button with your fingernail (I had to). This moves the compass in relation to the map again and is very frustrating to have to constantly have to press the start button. I'll stick with my 19th century compass for now.

This unit might be worth keeping for me if the Altimeter is reliable, but after all the other trouble I had I did not even mess with setting up the altimeter as I had lost confidence in the device.

1 star

I got tired of wearing a wristwatch, but still need to know the time, so this is a good idea. I bought the product as soon as it came out, so I have used mine for over two years now. I was attracted by the altimeter, but have found that it is wildly unreliable: either that or my desk is going up and down berserkly. My desk is at an altitude of about 270 meters, but I get readings everywhere from 240 meters to 350 meters. I wrote to the company asking about it, and their reply boiled down to: "Live with it." Also, the thermometer is usually very slow to react to big temperature changes. It is very good for slight variations in places like a closed room, but if you go from indoors to outdoors, plan on waiting half an hour to learn the outdoor temperature. The `current weather' display is always good for a laugh.

Overall, I enjoy this, but I hope their next model is better.

PS: shortly after I wrote this review, the clip broke, and had to be replaced for twenty bucks. May 2006.
4 stars

after reading many reviews from various sources I wanted to try the altitech for myself I have always wanted the all in one watch altimeter compass but always thought no way I want something that big on my wrist
so when I saw the carabiner version that I can clip to A belt loop I knew this is the one for me

first the build quality is very good and should last in the real world just fine the display is big and easy to read and the night light rocks

I ran through the callabration as stated in manual and then compared with
other devices I already have to compare readings

1 the compass is right on with my anolog compass as long as I am outside inside the car forget it. many have stated that the time out in compass mode is to short just hold the start/lap button and the compass will stay on as long as you want.

2 the temperature was right on with a HVAC IR thermometer that I have when I pointed the IR detector at the therma sensor on the altitech.

3 I set the barometer to the local tv station report which is in inches
to convert to mbar multiply inches X 33.864 = mbar after doing this I went to the altimeter function and got a elevation reading in the ballpark with the reading I get from my GPS I say ballpark because elevation is the least accurate reading on any GPS and will tend to drift but the avarage reading on the GPS was close to the altitech reading which is a steady reading and one I think I would trust more

4 time date alarm chrono timer yea does that to, time will tell how well it keeps time seems fine to me. the alarm is not loud and will not wake you up from A sound sleep unless you duck tape the altitech to your ear
think more of a reminder chirp but who needs a alarm in the great outdoors anyways


5 stars

The only thing on this that works well is the watch... the altimeter, thermometer and compass even after being calibrated give incorrect readings... the stopwatch is difficult to start and stop and reseting it to zero takes some patience... it looks cool and the time is correct but it is definitely not a reliable device in the least.. 2 stars

I bought this watch a couple years ago and I'm still very happy with it. I do not like wearing wrist watches, so the clip is ideal. As for the various functions (compass, temperature, altitude, etc.), they have all worked great. The temperature readings are correct if you place the watch away from your body heat and give it enough time to equilibrate. The compass works well too for quick readings (and you can regain compass mode as many times as you like if the display is not long enough for you). Like any multiple-function watches, it has issues, but compared to the Suunto watches that I have owned, this one is a much better value for the price. 5 stars