E-64
•
Entering the Altimeter Mode starts a new altitude auto reading session, but it does not reset the current
ASC
and
DSC
values or change them in any way. This means that the starting
ASC
and
DSC
values
for a new Altimeter Mode auto reading session are the values that currently are in memory. Each time
you complete an altitude auto reading session by exiting the Altimeter Mode, the total ascent value of
the current session (920 meters in the above example) is added to the session’s starting
ASC
value.
Also, the total descent value of the current auto reading session (–820 meters in the above example) is
added to the session’s starting
DSC
value.
Note
•
The high altitude, low altitude, total ascent, and total descent values are retained in memory when you
exit the Altimeter Mode. To clear values, perform the procedure under “To delete a specifi c record”
(page E-83).
E-65
How does the altimeter work?
Generally, air pressure decreases as altitude increases. This watch bases its altitude reading on
International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) values stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO). These values defi ne relationships between altitude and air pressure.
•
Note that the following conditions will prevent you from obtaining accurate readings:
When air pressure changes because of changes in the weather
Extreme temperature changes
When the watch itself is subjected to strong impact
There are two standard methods of expressing altitude: absolute altitude, which expresses an absolute
height above sea level, and relative altitude, which expresses the difference between the altitudes of two
different places. This watch expresses altitudes as relative altitude.
Height of building 130 m
(relative altitude)
Rooftop at an altitude of
230 m above sea level
(absolute altitude)
Sea Level
Regular calibration of the watch in accordance with values provided by local altitude (elevation) indications
is recommended before taking readings in order to maximize reading accuracy (page E-55).
E-66
Altimeter Precautions
•
This watch estimates altitude based on air pressure. This means that altitude readings for the same
location may vary if air pressure changes.
•
Do not use this watch for altitude reading or perform button operations while sky diving, hang gliding,
or paragliding, while riding a gyrocopter, glider, or any other aircraft, or while engaging in any other
activity where there is the chance of sudden altitude changes.
•
Do not use this watch for measuring altitude in applications that demand professional or industrial level
precision.
•
Remember that the air inside of a commercial aircraft is pressurized. Because of this, the readings
produced by this watch will not match the altitude readings announced or indicated by the fl ight crew.
E-67
Precautions Concerning Simultaneous Altitude and Temperature Readings
For the more accurate altitude readings, leaving the watch on your wrist is recommended in order to
maintain the watch at a constant temperature.
•
When taking temperature readings, keep the watch at as stable a temperature as possible. Changes in
temperature can affect temperature readings. See product specifi cations (page E-107) for sensor
accuracy information.
E-68
Taking Barometric Pressure Readings
This watch uses a pressure sensor to measure air pressure (barometric pressure).
To take barometric pressure readings
Use
B
to select the Barometer Mode (
BARO
), as shown on page
E-30.
•
BARO
will appear on the display, indicating that barometric pressure
reading is in progress. The results will appear on the display after
about one second.
•
After a barometric pressure reading operation is started, the watch will
take readings every fi ve seconds for the fi rst three minutes, and then
every two minutes after that.
•
To restart a reading operation from the beginning, press
A
.
•
The watch will return to the Timekeeping Mode automatically if you do
not perform any operation for about one hour after entering the
Barometer Mode.
Note
•
When you press
B
above, the second hand may indicate seconds (of
the current time) or the barometric pressure differential (page E-71).
The initial second hand function will be the same as what was selected
the last time you took a barometric pressure reading. To toggle
between the two second hand functions (indicating seconds or
indicating the barometric pressure differential) press
D
.
Barometric
pressure graph
Barometric
pressure
Barometric
pressure graph
Barometric
pressure
E-69
Barometric Pressure
•
Barometric pressure is displayed in units of 1 hPa (or 0.05 inHg).
•
The displayed barometric pressure value changes to
- - -
if a measured
barometric pressure falls outside the range of 260 hPa to 1,100 hPa (7.65
inHg to 32.45 inHg). The barometric pressure value will reappear as
soon as the measured barometric pressure is within the allowable range.
Display Units
You can select either hectopascals (hPa) or inchesHg (inHg) as the
display unit for the measured barometric pressure. See “To specify
altitude, barometric pressure, and temperature units” (page E-51).
Barometric Pressure Graph
Barometric pressure indicates changes in the atmosphere. By monitoring
these changes you can predict the weather with reasonable accuracy.
This watch takes barometric pressure reading automatically every two
hours. Readings are used to produce barometric pressure graph and
barometric pressure differential pointer readings.
Barometric pressure
change indicator
Barometric pressure
Barometric pressure
change indicator
Barometric pressure
Barometric pressure graph
Barometric pressure graph
E-70
Reading the Barometric Pressure Graph
The barometric pressure graph shows a chronological history of pressure readings.
•
The horizontal axis of the graph represents time, with each dot standing for
two hours. The rightmost dot represents the most recent reading.
•
The vertical axis of the graph represents barometric pressure, with each
dot standing for the relative difference between its reading and that of the
dots next to it. Each dot represents 1 hPa.
The following shows how to interpret the data that appears on the barometric pressure graph.
Rising barometric pressure indicates that upcoming weather will improve.
Falling barometric pressure indicates that upcoming weather will deteriorate.
Note
•
If there are sudden changes in weather or temperature, the graph line of past reading
may run off the top or bottom of the display.
•
The following conditions cause the barometric pressure reading to be skipped, with
the corresponding point on the barometric pressure graph being left blank.
– Barometric reading that is out of range (260 hPa to 1,100 hPa or 7.65 inHg to 32.45
inHg)
– Sensor malfunction
•
The barometric pressure graph is not displayed while the barometric pressure change indicator is
displayed.
Barometric
pressure
Time
Barometric
pressure
Time
Not visible on
the display.
Not visible on
the display.
E-71
Barometric Pressure Differential Pointer
This pointer indicates the relative difference between the most recent
barometric pressure reading indicated on the barometric pressure graph
(page E-69), and the current barometric pressure value displayed in the
Barometer Mode (page E-68).
To show and hide barometric pressure differential
1. Use
B
to enter the Barometer Mode (
BARO
), as shown on page E-30.
2. Press
D
.
Note
•
Press
D
to toggle the second hand between its two functions (indicating seconds or indicating the
barometric pressure differential).
Barometric
pressure
differential
pointer
Barometric
pressure
differential
pointer
Operation Guide 5463
