Weather > Weather Hardware/Measurement
ProTrek
WCDev:
Hello folks,
Over the weekend I managed to acquire a Casio ProTrek ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NG45E8/ ) - I believe these are called 'PathFinder's' in the U.S.
I've been after one for a while, so was happy to be able to finally pick one up. Now apart from being great time-keepers (radio controlled, so always spot on), the interesting thing about these is the additional triple sensors they incorporate - a compass, a thermometer and most importantly a barometer (it keeps a log of the pressure every 2 hours for 24 hours so you can see what the pressure is doing on a small graph).
I've been tracking the barometer since the weekend against WeatherCat and after adjusting it for my altitude, it seems pretty accurate. The thermometer however is a different story as it's mounted on your wrist - this is great for the barometer (keeps it at a pretty constant temperature), but you have to take the watch off (and then wait half an hour) if you want to read the temperature.
I've calibrated the thermometer against a few I have here and it seems pretty accurate when off the wrist, but it's a pain seeing pretty much 30?C all the time when it's on your wrist.
So, my question is - does anybody else have one - any tips? It seems that as soon as you travel from one location to another, the barometer will need re-adjusting for any difference in altitude and the thermometer is next to useless on the wrist. I'm wondering whether it's worth trying to calibrate the thermometer 'on the wrist'?
Cheers,
Stu.
elagache:
Howdy Stu and WeatherCat gadget fans,
Interesting device you've got there. If you could only get it to make espresso then you'll never have to leave home!! [coffee]
I have a Casio watch with radio correction to the atomic clocks also. But don't know what to tell you about the other features. On my bike's "cycle computer" there is a thermometer, but it also seems have a hard time getting an accurate temperature because it is embedded inside the plastic case. I haven't found it as useful as I hoped. I still freeze nearly to death in the morning before the ambient temperature cools the case enough so that thermometer gives a plausible reading. I still dress "blind" using data from other weather stations around here to guesstimate how cold some of the protected valleys I ride through really are.
Perhaps some of the other gadget junkies on the forum will have some better ideas.
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
WCDev:
Well having had it for a few days now I can say I'm very impressed by the barometer (as long as you remember to adjust for changes in altitude) - I particularly like the way you can have the pressure graph on the time-keeping display.
The thermometer is next to useless as far as I can tell, but is accurate after about half hour of removal which could be handy in some situations (i.e. camping).
I guess ultimately (apart from being extremely accurate on the time-keeping front), I just like the idea of having a pressure chart on my wrist [woohoo]
embayweather:
I have had one of these for a year or two now and I too am impressed with it. When I want to monitor temperature I take it off my wrist and leave it lying around for a while. I find the barometer chart very useful, as opposed to the actual values, because it can fir into my weather data and maps and give me an idea what may be happening when I am out and about. Bit heavy to wear all the time especially if your spend a lit of your time parked in front of an iMac like I do.
Hey being a gadget or not, doesn't it just look the business when you are wearing it. No mealy mouthed time teller this one. Also has a brilliant alarm clock which tells me when to take my temperature readings whilst away from base (and of course the medication that needs to be taken). Seems also quite shock proof. mine has been 'dropped' occasionally and still works great.
Highly recommended for any meteorologist.
Still ahem to do some calibrations on it when >I can find a bit of time.
Best wishes
<Mike
wurzelmac:
My faithful friend is my Suunto Vector - it has gone with me through many adventures on the mountains and helped me through some difficult situations whith its precise altimeter and barometer. It looks a bit used and scratched, but I think that I do not look even better... [cheers1]
Aside this my SatMap GPS took me home not less faithful then my Suunto, in situations like this...
Aside of this, the thermometer on ones wirst is not useful until you take it off and leave it some minutes aside (as folks told it before).
Cheers
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