Highgear AltiTech 2

I enjoyed this toy very much. However, some vallet in Las Vegas decided he needed it more than me.

Anyhow, I liked the large number readings on the front panel. I loved the light weight and the clip to hook onto my pack. I also enjoyed having the temp. Information is always fun.

I did not use the compas much, but I was dissapointed that the compass only displayed for about 15 seconds. Twenty to twenty-five seconds would have been better for me.

Over all, I have the feeling I am going to replace my AltiTech 2 with another AltiTech 2

-John

Update: October 29, 2006

I just wanted to add that at 10,000' in 20 degree weather that the display is slow when changing between options. As if the liquid in the liquid crystal display was thickening up.

Over all, I really like the device and would recommend it to any one who enjoys the extra information of hight and temp.

It does not guess weather accurately in the high elevations. When the sunny day icon was displayed, it was actually raining out. That happned once. Several times it displayed the cloudy icon on bright sunny days.

I have not used the compass portion much. I would like the compass to display about twice as long as it does.

-John

This would be a 5 star item if it weren't an unnecessary (albeit very cool) toy. It has better compass and elevation resolution than most of the competition, and other than that it's everything you'd expect in a digital compass.

The big improvement, in my mind, is that you clip it on your pack or belt instead of your wrist. Anyone who climbs with a bulky wristwatch knows how difficult it is to fit it under multiple layers of clothing, dig it out when you want to read it, and avoid snagging it on your shoulder straps as you put your pack on. Additionally, the temperature reading is more accuarate than a wrist computer because it's not constantly in contact with your body heat.

Oh, and the hinge in the middle allows it to stand up on its own, which is great for bedside use.

Works great in the summer. The display is useless below 35 degrees.