Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

Please remember for this instrument to work it MUST be calibrated regularly.This is not a GPS that relies on triangulation to determine altitude, but rather pressure. And that is a limitation of ALL such instruments. So if you are using it between the coffee shop, home and work it is overkill and get yourself a Timex (or a Rolex ;-). This is a tool and like any other toll one must learn to to use it. I have used this while climbing peaks in Nepal, India and Kazakhstan and it has performed reliably. The fact that one can easily change batteries without tools is a big plus.
Having used this for many expeditions I can now comment on 2 flaws that have irked me. First, The Dual Time zone only allows differences in one hour increments. But many of the primo climbing locales need half hour (India) or 15 minute (Nepal) increments. Believe me, at the haze of 20,000 feet you don't want to do the math to find out what the time is in the US. Second, though the watch is built quite ruggedly, the rubber covering the sides of the watch started to peel off the main metal chassis. I had to epoxy it back on. Note that I usually wear the watch over my jacket sleeve while climbing.

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

the watch tells time well, and the compass seems to be pretty reliable, but if that is all you want you can get a much better deal on a timex.
the alt., baro., weather, them. all are very unreliable. they comstantly need calibrating, and are off again in a few hours, even without any major changes

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

Bought for hiking and as a tool to work with topo maps for elevation identification. It is a barometric pressure device for elevation so it does need calibration often even on the trail. It was accurate enough to give readings within 50 feet of actual elevation most of the time. Compass function worked well when calibrated, but there is always the possibility that it was off, so a true compass must be carried. The temperature reading will never be accurate when worn and takes about 15-20 minutes once removed and placed somewhere out of direct sunlight. So monitoring temperature change is not a strong point. After wearing for 2 short hikes, the pins on the watch band pulled out of the plastic body of the watch and it fell to the ground while simply undoing the strap to remove it. Closer examination showed that one of the metal pins had enlarged the plastic hole in the watch body and thus the pin wouldn't stay in any more. Luckily it fell apart when I was watching, rather than on the trail. I returned it to REI for a refund as the so-so performance, coupled with the cheap attachment to the plastic body, made for an expensive toy that just wasn't worth it for me. Nice idea, but just poorly executed in both function and design. Attachment of the band to the watch body needs to be 100% secure and plastic just doesn't do it.

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

had this for a little over a month before the light stopped working... the altimeter is not very accurate as the reading would change automatically and i would have to recalibrate it constantly... it would even read that i was below sea level when i was at least a couple hundred feet above sea level. after my trip to tibet where the watch was exposed to freezing temps, the watch would reset on its own and it does that intermittently now. the compass seems to be fairly accurate and there are a lot of features on the watch, but overall, it promises too much and doesn't deliver.

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

Controls are too complicated and inaccurate. Altimeter, and barameter need constant calibration. Basically evrything the other guy said.

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

junk

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

I had gone through 4 Suuntos before picking up one of these. I had it for 3 years before the sides started to unglue. It still worked fine. I looked for another one but they didn't have it at the local REI so I got the new fancy Suunto...($350+...way overpriced), I wish I had this one again. I guess that's the beauty of REI...time for a trade.

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

I've had my example of the Highgear Multifunction Watch for several years and although I use it infrequently, I've never had a problem with it. The altimeter requires frequent calibration, but so do all accurate-reading altimeters (as already pointed out by another reviewer, few scientific instruments are 'set and forget'). My one gripe is that the nighttime illumination feature is a bit wonky (hard to see and doesn't last very long till it self-cycles off). I've used my watch in aviation apps and don't have any complaints about it on that score. Compass seems to be fairly good and reliable (as long as it is properly stabilised). The large LCD display is nice for us aging, myopic geezers (don't worry, I'm not in the aircraft's left seat) and an accurate temp is rendered if the watch is removed from the wrist and set apart from any heat sources for a few minutes (including your body). Comparing this to the Suunto line (Finnish), the price is great for what you get (like all Finnish exports, although the quality is very good, Suunto products are WAY overpriced). The battery is a breeze to change, unlike some of these plastic fantastics. Overall, a strong 8 out of 10 for function and value. I will admit I am a bit disappointed that it doesn't include a 'press-to-play' recording of Monty Python's "I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK!", but that's something I can live with.... One last thing: it would be nice if they made this watch in high-viz colors (like fluorescent orange or yellow) so that it can be seen and identified easily on snow.

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

I bought the watch before any reviews were out, and received if after it had some negative reviews. My expectations weren't high out of the box. Its altimeter is more accurate than my Garmin Geko 301. Its compass is good and barometer is decent. Except for initial setup, I have only recalibrated the compass. My biggest complaint is the temperature reads close to your skin, so it always reads at least 80 degrees, even outside in the snow. After two months, I am pleased with it knowing I paid less than $100.

Comments about Highgear Axis Multifunction Watch - '08 Overstock:

I was hoping this would be as functional as a Suunto but much cheaper. Cheap is what I got. The strap started falling apart after only a couple uses, the dial isn't as briliant or clear as others, the battery life is nill (as with many multi-funtion watches, but I thought I'd still list that), and the fit is uncomfortable.