Product Reviews

Of course, balloonists are always asking one another about this replacement envelope, or that GPS, or another chase vehicle. Let's put those reviews in one place - here on the product reviews page! If you would like to review a product, just click on the mailbox below and send in your review! This list will be built mostly from reader contributions. Many thanks in advance.

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Watches - Specialty

• Casio Alti-Thermo Twin Sensor (model ALT-6100, made in Japan)
  I have had one of these for about a year, and I really like it, but it has its limitations. Here are the functions this watch offers (other than the obvious):
  • altitude: 20ft or 10m increments, updated every 2 minutes, 28 minute graph.
  • air pressure: 1mb or 0.05in/mercury increments, updated every 2 hours, 28 hour graph.
  • temperature: f or c, updated every 5 minutes.
  • incremental save feature: I believe you can save up to 50 full entries.
  • alarm: set up to 5.
  • stop watch: 1/100 second.

  I tend to leave air pressure readings at "real" air pressure, not adjusted sea-level pressure. Why? because I'd have to reset it every time I move from one place to another. Keep in mind that air pressure can change by 1mb for every 8 meters in altitude change! It was neat to see 700mb air pressure at Sandia Peak!

  I generally have to reset altitude every so often to compensate for changes in air pressure. I do this at rallies every day, or when I'm driving or hiking in the mountains. It's generally pretty accurate! I set it once in Albuquerque at a known altitude and then drove to Sandia Peak and the watch read 10,720 feet, close enough in my book!

  Temperature on this watch is useless. It picks up body heat, and so it's never even close unless I'm not wearing it (then what good does it do me)!

  If you like little play toys, you'll love this watch! But don't expect the world from it.

  Puchased in early 1994 for a little over US$100 at REI.

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