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Altimeter / Barometer 18-Jan-2007 At 10:59:39 PM cheesehead

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Where were you a fortnight ago when Beefy was selling his Suunto Vector for a song?

The Suunto Vector is the benchmark model. Period.
I have a polar, and I like some of the extra stuff it has (detailed graphs of weather trends. The Vector is too basic with this), heart rate, data logging, vertical speed and gain data, accurate calorie data, choosing whether the baro or alti is on, etc.

The polar watches are a hell of a lot more expensive than the vector, and overly complicated. Fine once you get the hang of it, but I'd be sufficiently happy with a Vector instead.

Don't bother with the cheapest polar watch. It misses out on too much important stuff (like a compass). I probably wouldn't bother with an expensive Suunto - their extra features aren't that useful (except for GPS). I don't think their heart rate is very good (I could be wrong).

GPS - this would be an ace feature. I've no idea if the watch-based ones are any good. I'm guessing so.

Casio - They look too compicated without delivering much info. I haven't got any experience with them and could be wrong.

In a simple answer to the price point - the quality/accuracy doesn't change (perhaps it does between some brands*). You are getting the same sensors, etc. You get extra sensors (compasses, heart rate and GPS), and more programming. Sometimes these things are good. Sometimes it means you have to press buttons more to find out simple stuff. No easy answer.

*I tested the altitude/baro between a Vector and my polar watch - they matched each other perfectly.

I don't use one much out of the mountains, except for bike training, and maybe general weather prediction, but I would recommend one all the same. Get it as soon as possible and learn as much about weather prediction as possible.