Stopwatch watch with compass - prices. Wristwatches Applicable types of power sources

Most enthusiastic tourists sooner or later have a desire to buy a special watch for hiking. So that they are not afraid of water, withstand cruel treatment and delight with various tourist functions.

I came across one forum where a beginner was advised to look at a watch with a price tag of 1000+ bucks. Models of tourist watches for active use in a lower price category were labeled “underwatches”. The arguments are simple, they say, “you’re not buying for a year.”

Such snobbery is of course amusing, but an unenlightened person, after such advice, will most likely refuse to purchase altogether. The claim that a good hiking watch should cost at least a thousand greenbacks is nonsense! A watch for $100 or even less will serve its owner for many years no worse than expensive models, despite aggressive use. Let's figure it out.

There will always be two types of people. Some remain adherents of wristwatches, while others prefer to look at the time on a mobile phone; it is more convenient for them and there is no point in convincing them otherwise. Let's not say now which is better. In my opinion, everything is obvious here. But when choosing a watch specifically for tourism, do not forget that the main purpose of any hiking watch is to show the time correctly and reliably withstand external loads, and it is also important to understand that most options are rather pleasant additions than a necessity.

I would divide watches suitable for hiking into two categories. Actually, they are tourist watches, designed specifically for hiking enthusiasts and are crammed with all sorts of options, and also, as I call them, “near-tourist watches” - these are watches that, in addition to displaying the time, can resist water and shock, plus simple functions such as a timer/stopwatch/alarm clock.

Why do they love tourist watches?

The functionality of modern tourism watches is very wide. But I will describe my attitude towards the most popular options:

Waterproof and shockproof

In my opinion, these are exactly the functions that primarily distinguish tourist watches from ordinary ones. Protection from water and shock is a must. Hiking is an extreme operating environment for your watch and exposure to moisture or accidental shocks are simply inevitable. We’ll talk more about water resistance in a separate post; I don’t want to overload the text.

Barometer

Displays current pressure. With its help you can forecast the weather for the next day. From the monitored indicators, the watch generates a graph of pressure fluctuations, from which the user can determine whether the weather will improve or worsen in the near future.

It’s simple, if the pressure drops sharply, then the weather will probably worsen and there may be rain, and if it rises sharply, then on the contrary, the weather will most likely improve. A straight graph indicates that the weather will be stable.

In general, a barometer is a very useful thing on a hike. If possible, choose a watch with this function; it can be very useful when traveling.

Altimeter (altimeter)

Shows altitude above sea level. It would seem that this is a very convenient and useful function for mountain hikers and climbers. But there is one “but”. The altimeter on the watch does not always display the altitude correctly.

This is because most altimeters measure altitude based on barometric pressure. Pressure tends to change not only with altitude, but also depending on the weather and even the time of day. Therefore, even if you stay at one point for a long time, you may notice fluctuations in the altitude readings of your wrist altimeter.

To get any benefit from your watch's altimeter, you must calibrate it from time to time. Let's say that before a hike you are at a certain point, the altitude of which is marked on the map. To calibrate, you need to enter the current altitude data into the device. And if the weather conditions are stable during the hike, you will be able to get more or less accurate data on altitudes.

Indicators for calibration can be obtained, for example, at the peaks (from pointers), from marks on the map or from a GPS navigator. By the way, a GPS navigator measures altitude more accurately, since the data depends only on satellites.

Digital compass

Could be a nice addition. But if you are lucky with a watch model where the compass will work correctly. Many users have complaints about this. To the point that the compass on the watch lies ninety degrees or shows the correct direction every other time!

Like any other digital compass, it cannot be 100% accurate, but it should determine the cardinal directions with minimal error. Before going on a hike, you definitely need to take control measurements of the direction, checking with a regular magnetic compass, or better yet, with two. Remember that the electronic compass does not display the result immediately, it takes some time (up to 30 seconds).

As for me, the presence of a digital compass in a watch is not at all mandatory. I wouldn't rely on it alone and would still recommend duplicating it with the good old magnetic analogue.

Thermometer

Measures ambient temperature. The indicators are quite accurate in most cases, but some features should be taken into account. Firstly, to correctly measure air temperature, the watch should be removed from your hand. Otherwise, the thermometer will “lie”, being influenced by body temperature. Secondly, the watch must lie down for at least 10 minutes to cool down and take on the air temperature.

A digital thermometer also requires calibration. And here you can use a little trick so as not to remove the watch from your hand every time. Go to a trusted source and calibrate the data directly on your hand, indicating the actual air temperature numbers. Or, empirically determine the difference between the indicators in the removed state and on the hand, and then, measuring the temperature on the hand, mentally subtract the resulting value. But these methods also have their drawbacks. The higher the air temperature, the more strongly the body t influences the sensor, and at very low temperatures the opposite is true. It turns out that the previously obtained difference value may change. Conclusion: the watch still shows the most accurate temperature after “resting” a little from the hand.

Most often, a thermometer in a watch is capable of displaying a temperature range from -10°C to +60°C.

Sports buns

A separate segment is occupied by watches for an active lifestyle with a sports twist. Such devices can be equipped with a pedometer, calorie counter, heart rate monitor, etc. Quite useful functions, but if you are not involved in any kind of sports, then such functions are of no use on a hike.

Other features:

• alarms/sounds
• stopwatch/timer
• rotating bezel
• mineral glass
• LED lights
• displaying a table of tides and the age of the moon
• display of sunrise and sunset
• titanium strap
• solar battery

In addition to those listed, manufacturers equip individual models with such unimaginable functions that they are unlikely to be useful to an ordinary tourist, for example, a clinometer (a device for measuring vertical angles). All these bells and whistles are quite specific and are designed for the most demanding customers.

Most of the features in modern travel watches are more of a nice-to-have addition than a necessity.

Manufacturers producing tourism watches

Watches for tourists are now produced by many companies, the model range is quite wide, and the price range is corresponding. The most popular brands of tourist watches:

Suunto(Finland). The company has been producing watches since 1936. It specializes in watches for tourism, mountaineering, diving and other activities. It produces very high quality, but expensive watches. Nice design.

Casio(Japan). One of the most popular companies. It has a very large tourist and diving line. Excellent price/quality ratio.

Tissot(Switzerland). A very cool brand with a corresponding price tag. They make watches with a metal case and sapphire glass, but there is a drawback - poor water resistance compared to other companies.

Polar(Finland). Decent watch, but it focuses on sports functions. Their niche is rather sports. But in addition to sports training, they are also great for hiking.

Timex(USA). They have many functions, good design for every taste.

Highgear(USA). Relatively inexpensive watches, but at the same time they have rich functionality.

Garmin(USA). The company is known for its GPS navigators, but also produces a line of sports and travel watches equipped with GPS receivers.

Many other companies also offer separate models of watches for extreme conditions, so the choice is actually simply huge.

Opinion

By and large, the main function of a watch is to display the time correctly, and any wrist device, even the cheapest, can handle this. But the life of a tourist involves staying in an aggressive environment and the influence of external factors on the device is inevitable. Therefore, it would be nice to have a mechanism that is protected from dust, water and shock.

Of course, each person has their own requirements. One will be satisfied with the time display and security, while the other will consider it mandatory for the watch to have modern navigation functions.

For myself personally, I have compiled the following list of minimum requirements: first of all, reliability, protection from water and damage, date display, stopwatch/timer, alarms, backlight. All other functions are optional options. At the same time, I don’t consider them superfluous, but it’s difficult to call them an absolute necessity.

Tell us in the comments what watch you use while hiking and why you love it. How much do you use the functionality of your watch and what functions are really useful on a hike?

Wristwatches have long ceased to be a device that only shows time. Today, a huge number of useful and not so useful functions (complications) are added to them, turning them into an indispensable companion for a modern person, and sometimes just into an expensive toy on the wrist.

UNIVERSAL FUNCTIONS (COMPLICATIONS)– those additional functions in watches that can be useful to everyone, regardless of their occupation or lifestyle.

Alarm. One of the most useful additional functions of a wristwatch, because we all most often need to wake up on time. Some models have the ability to set several alarm settings, set an hourly alarm, and also use a repeat signal.

Thermometer. A useful function with which you will always know the air temperature. The thermometer is especially useful for travelers and people leading an active lifestyle. There are watch models with the function of measuring water temperature, which is especially important for water sports enthusiasts.

Perpetual (automatic) calendar. A perpetual calendar watch does not need to be manually adjusted to the number of days in a month. Such a calendar automatically takes into account the number of days in a month and the duration of February in a leap year, since it is programmed until a certain year (for example, until 2099). The convenience of such a perpetual calendar is obvious.

Big date (Big Data). This function is one of the most popular watch complications, as it allows you to place two enlarged date digits on the dial. A date that can be read at a glance is a convenient thing for everyone. This complication, consisting of two disks with numbers, was invented in the 30s of the last century. It is two discs with numbers that are used in the watch, because the width of the dial ring does not allow it anymore.

Power reserve indicator (reserve de marche) and battery level indicator (EOL). An important function for those who want to change the battery in a quartz watch or wind a mechanical one on time. The “power reserve indicator” is found on mechanical watches. It looks like an additional sector on the dial and shows the degree of winding of the mainspring of a mechanical watch. You will always know the time remaining before the clock stops - measured in hours and days.

The concept " battery charge indicator"refers to quartz watches. About 2 weeks before the battery is completely depleted, the second hand begins to move not every second, but once every 4 seconds and jumps forward by 2 or 4 divisions at once. This way, the remaining energy in the battery is saved, and you know that it’s time to replace it.

Magnetic resistance (magnetic resistance, anti-magnet) important for both mechanical and quartz watches, because the magnetic field affects the accuracy of the watch. The magnetic lock of a wallet, the magnet in the refrigerator door, in an electric razor, speakers and other things around us every day influence the accuracy of the watch. Therefore, a watch with an anti-magnetic function is a very useful invention, especially for people who at work are exposed to the influence of magnetic waves, who often travel - pass through magnetic frames at airports, and for most of us - we all pass through magnetic frames in a supermarket or cinema.

Countdown timer– a device for measuring the remaining time before an event. The user sets the time after which the sound signal sounds. Such a timer will be useful for anyone who needs to take medications daily, when training with alternating loads, or in the kitchen for cooking.

BUSINESS FUNCTIONS (COMPLICATIONS)– additional functions in the watch that business people will especially appreciate.

Second time zone (Dual Time) or GMT– time display function in two time zones. With its help, you will know the time not only in your own, but also in the time zone that you need. The function is useful for those who often make calls abroad or go on business trips. The transition between belts occurs by turning the ring, pressing a button or rotating a special head.

World Time displays the current time in major cities around the world. A useful thing for those who travel a lot and often call other cities. Unlike models with a second time zone, you do not need to select another city in the additional window, because you see the time in all time zones at once - as a rule, the names of the main cities of the world are located on the bezel or dial. Also on the dial there can be an image of a world map.

Notebook. This function is used in electronic watches so that the user can create various notes and store important information (passport numbers, phone numbers, credit cards). The number and volume of records is limited by the memory of the built-in electronic unit. Watch models with a notebook can be found in Casio Data Bank, G-Shock and Baby-G watches.

Logarithmic ruler. Allows you not only to perform simple multiplication and division operations, but also to calculate the exchange rate, calculate flight time, fuel consumption, convert nautical miles to kilometers, etc.

SPORTS FUNCTIONS (COMPLICATIONS)– excellent helpers for athletes or lovers of active tourism. Watch manufacturers have developed many sports features to make the lives of sports lovers easier.

Tachymeter scale (tachymeter). It is located on the bezel or watch dial in the form of a scale with numbers indicating the speed value. Used to calculate the speed of a distance over time. The readings are read using the second hand: when the tachymeter starts, it begins to move in a circle, stopping near the number indicating the speed of movement.

Chronograph. It can be used to measure short periods of time. Most often, chronograph hands are located on separate small dials. The chronograph can be controlled either using the crown (in simple models) or using separate buttons (one button to start and stop the counter, the second to reset it). The central seconds hand is typically used as a chronograph seconds hand.

Split chronograph. A complex chronograph with two seconds hands, one of which can be temporarily stopped to record an intermediate measurement result.

Chronometer. Mechanical watches with particularly precise movement (the error is ±5 seconds per day, while ordinary watches have ±20 seconds), which have passed a number of accuracy tests and received the appropriate certificates. The most famous certificate is from the Swiss Institute of Chronometry COSC (Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres). Also, “chronometers” (from ancient Greek “I measure time”) are sometimes called any clocks, using this word as a synonym for clocks.

Stopwatch. A device that allows you to measure time with an accuracy of a second or even a fraction of a second. The stopwatch can be started and stopped arbitrarily. Indispensable in most sports.

Altimeter (altimeter). Used to measure height. Altimeter watches have a built-in pressure sensor that uses these readings to determine your altitude. An ideal function for conquerors of peaks - mountaineers, rock climbers. Some models store readings of the final and starting points of ascent, and the difference between them.

Barometer. A special sensor measures atmospheric pressure and displays this information on the screen using icons. Now you will know in advance about weather changes, even far from civilization.

Compass. To navigate the terrain, you don’t have to put a compass in your hiking backpack, because there are wristwatches that already have one built into them! Wherever you go, the compass in your watch will always point you in the right direction. The compass in the watch can be digital or classic magnetic.

Angler/hunter schedule. A scale that determines the suitability of a date and time for fishing. Probabilistic determination of fish activity based on the entered coordinates (latitude and longitude) of your location. If the time for fishing has come, the fish or legs are displayed on the screen.

Yacht timer created for participants of regattas and races. This is a countdown timer that is activated at a certain point in time and gives an alarm if there are 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 minutes left until the end, and then in a second version: 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 , 4, 3, 2, 1. There are models with auto-repeat yacht timer.

Pedometer— a motion sensor in the watch that calculates the distance traveled when walking, counting the number of steps. Ideal for athletes and anyone who likes to jog.

Heart rate monitor measures pulse (heart rate). When the watch case comes into contact with the hand, a special sensor reads the pulse beats and displays the average reading on the display. A very convenient function for people involved in sports to monitor physical activity and body condition. It will always tell you when to slow down. It is also used by doctors in extreme conditions, when they need to find out pulse readings as quickly as possible.

FUNCTIONS CHARACTERISTIC FOR PREMIUM WATCHES

Keep your watch horizontal. If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, it is daytime and the sun is visible, then this trick will work. Place the watch horizontally on a flat surface or at least on your palm - the main thing is that your palm is parallel to the ground.

Point the hour hand of the clock towards the sun. Turn the clock around (or turn around yourself) so that the clock is pointing towards the sun, right at the sun! The time on the clock is not so important, as long as the clock itself is accurate.

• If you have difficulties in terms of “pointing at the sun”, you can help yourself... with shade. The shadow of a long and narrow object will be just right. The main thing, again, is that the shadow is visible. There will be a shadow - point the hour hand of the clock towards it. Keep in mind that the shadow of an object will move against the sun, so in essence, orientation to the shadow and orientation to the sun are the same thing.

Divide the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock in half to find south. It's difficult, yes. Find the midpoint of the angle between 12 and the hour hand. Before noon, you need to measure everything in the direction of the clockwise direction from, in fact, the clockwise direction. Afternoon - counterclockwise. In general, the middle of the corner will be south. Opposite it will be north.

• Example: the time is 5 pm, you point the hour hand at the sun. South, respectively, is between 2 and 3 on the dial, and north is between 8 and 9.
• Note - in summer time one hour must be added to “real time”, so count from the hour, not 12.

In the Southern Hemisphere

1. Keep your watch horizontal. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, it is daytime and the sun is visible, then this trick will work. Place the watch horizontally on a flat surface or at least on your palm - the main thing is that your palm is parallel to the ground.

2. Point the dial at 12 towards the sun. Turn your watch around (or turn yourself around) so that the 12 o'clock position is pointing towards the sun, right at the sun! The time on the clock is not so important, as long as the clock itself is accurate. Why not clockwise, like in Severny? So the hemispheres are different!

   • If you have difficulties in terms of “pointing at the sun”, you can help yourself... with shade. The shadow of a long and narrow object will be just right. The main thing, again, is that the shadow is visible. There will be a shadow - point the 12 mark towards it.

3. Divide the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock in half to find north. It's difficult, yes. Find the midpoint of the angle between 12 and the hour hand. Before noon, you need to measure everything in the direction of the clockwise direction from, in fact, the clockwise direction. Afternoon - counterclockwise. In general, the middle of the angle between 12 and the hour hand is north. Opposite it will be south.

   • Example: the time is 9 am, you pointed 12 at the sun. North, respectively, is between 10 and 12 on the dial, and south is between 4 and 5.
   • Note - in summer time one hour must be added to “real time”, so count from the hour, not 12. Everything here is the same as in Northern.

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Casio W-753-2A Stopwatch. Compass. Bracelet/strap material: plastic. Case material - stainless steel. steel. Glass is plastic. Date display. The shape is non-standard. The energy source is from a battery.

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Mechanism type - quartz. Type of watch: wristwatch. Waterproof. Case material - plastic. The energy source is from a battery. Bracelet/strap material: plastic. Glass - mineral. Type of wristwatch: men's. Height: 52 mm. Width: 48 mm. Weight: 1.0 g.

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Casio PRG-600-1E

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The compass is a brilliant invention of mankind, more than a thousand years old. But even in the 21st century, most people on the planet do not know how to use it. For some regions of the Earth, using the device is a vital necessity. For example, a resident of a desert, area with deep forests or taiga must know how to use a compass.

For general development, a city resident needs to have an idea of ​​the principle of operation of the device, as well as be able to use it. Anything can happen in life, and without exaggeration it can save a life.

History of the device

The prototype of a magnetic device has been known since the 9-10th century. In China, already at that time there was a device that helped navigate in the desert. The modern name of the device comes from the English word meaning “circle” in the 13th-14th centuries.

The first marine compass appeared in the 12-13th century. It was installed on ships and was an ordinary magnetic needle on a plug placed in a liquid. Later the design was improved: the Italian Flavio Gioia attached the arrow to a vertical pin. The Italian divided the scale into 16 points, which was later further divided into 32 sectors.

How to use a compass?

First, you need to understand the principle of operation: the fields of the device’s magnets and the planet’s magnetic field interact. Magnets of the same name attract, and magnets of the same name repel.

• The magnetic needle is removed from the clamp, which holds it motionless.
• After a few seconds, the needle stops rotating and starts pointing North. If there are 2 arrows on the scale at once, then the one that is blue (usually short or arrow-shaped) points to the North.
• To understand where to move, you need to calculate the angle of movement relative to the North. All modern maps are the same: on top is North, below is South, on the right is East, and on the left is West.
• Having decided on the route, the magnetic needle is necessarily fixed in a stationary position.

When using a device with a magnetic needle, you should understand that the accuracy of the indicators is affected by:

• large metal objects (towers, power lines, magnets);
• underground deposits of iron ore and other minerals can affect the performance of the device;
• Magnetic storms can affect needle movements.

When going on a hike or expedition, you should make sure that the compass is working. The case is placed on a flat surface, the arrow is released and its position is remembered. Afterwards, a magnet is brought to the scale for a few seconds, and after it is removed, the needle should return to its original position. The procedure is repeated several times to ensure proper operation. The arrow position should be the same after removing the magnets.

Types of modern devices

There are several types of devices that differ in their operating principle. For example, an electromagnetic device is used in aviation: its operation requires high speeds. The gyrocompass points to the North Pole, not the magnetic one, and is therefore used on large ships. Electronic types of instruments indicate the direction of the pole in accordance with received signals from satellites.

Compass as a type of gift

The easiest way to buy is in our online store. This can be either a product in the form of a wristwatch or a device in the form of a key fob. Scuba diving enthusiasts also need to navigate in space: for this we have special waterproof devices or liquid versions of the device.

The gift will be highly appreciated by the birthday boy: the compass will be needed by both travel lovers and cross-country running fans, and can simply be used as a souvenir. Naturally, souvenir compasses are not particularly accurate, but a compass in the handle of a knife or mug looks unusual.

Even a resident of a metropolis can find himself in a situation where he needs to find out where the North is and where to go. Even a harmless trip to pick mushrooms can end sadly if you get lost in a huge forest. But if you have a compass, you can quickly navigate the area and not get lost.