A B O U T T H E A L T I M E T E R
How the Altimeter 50 Works.
The Avocet Altimeter
50 measures altitude by detecting differences in air
pressure and displaying this information as altitude above
sea level. For example, air pressure is 25% less at 7,000
feet than at sea level. The Avocet Altimeter 50 works the
same way an aircraft altimeter does.
Adjusting the Altimeter 50 for Air Pressure
Changes.
Atmospheric pressure is relatively stable ex-
cept during major weather changes. On a typical day,
minor atmospheric pressure changes may cause the
displayed altitude to change by 50 feet. When a weather
front arrives or departs, altitude can change 50 to 150 feet
over a day or two. During severe storms, changes over
150 feet can occur.
The Altimeter 50 can be adjusted to account for
atmospheric pressure changes caused by the weather.
Adjustment is made by changing the altitude reading until
it matches your current altitude. If you learn the altitude of
your home, and adjust before you start your ride, the
altitude readings will match the altitude of landmarks
along your route. Adjusting altitude is described in the
section “Altitude Adjustment”.
The Altitude Display.
Current altitude is displayed in
the upper numbers. Accumulated altitude change is dis-
played by the lower numbers, You can choose whether
you will accumulate altitude gained (climb) or lost (de-
scent) in the setup sequence. If you switch between climb
and descent, the two will be added together. There are two
accumulated altitude displays: resettable trip change
(called TRIP CLIMB) and total change (called TOTAL
CLIMB). Adjusting the altitude does not affect accumu-
lated change, either trip or total.
The altitude display is updated every second while the
wheel is turning, otherwise updates are every 10 seconds.
If the Altimeter 50 is used off the bicycle, you can get 1
second updates by pressing either button. An hour after
pressing a button the unit returns to 10 second updates.
Accumulated altitude changes will not be added when the
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Left button selects whether altitude
gain or loss will be recorded
display indicates that cadence is activated. If cadence
is activated without the kit, no reading will appear in
the cadence option of the speed function. Press right
button to go to clock set.
5. Clock Set.
The default of 12:00 shows and the
hour digits flash. Press left button to advance hours. At
the correct hour, press the right button. The minute
digits flash. Press or hold the left button to advance
minutes. Press the right button to complete setup.
3. Climb or Descent.
“A” shows and a arrow
pointing upward indicates climb will be accumulated.
To accumulate altitude lost on descents, press the left
button to make the arrow point downward. Return to the
climb option by pressing the left button again. Press the
right button to go to cadence on/off.
4. Cadence On/Off.
RPM shows. If the optional
cadence kit is installed, press the left button to activate
the cadence option in the speed function. “CAd” on the
A L T I T U D E A D J U S T M E N T
ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
Left button increases altitude when arrow points up
and decreases it when arrow points down
altitude before riding. Determine altitude of your home
from a topographic map, a local weather service, or a
library. Mountain passes are a good place to adjust
because their altitudes usually appear on maps and on
road signs. The altitude shown on a city limit sign is of
the town’s city hall, not the sign.
To adjust,
go to the altitude function and hold the
right button down for more than 2 seconds. Only
altitude and an arrow will show. The arrow points
alternately upward and downward. If the altitude is too
high, subtract in 10 foot (4 meter) increments by
pressing the left button when the arrow points down.
Add to it when the arrow points up. Pressing the right
button returns to the altitude function.
Measuring Altitude off the Bicycle.
To conserve
power the Altimeter “goes to sleep” when it is off the
bicycle.When measuring altitude on hikes or in a car,
press either button to “wake up” the Altimeter and
elimintate delays in displaying new altitudes. It remains
awake for one hour after a button is pressed.
S E T U P S E Q U E N C E
CLOCK SET
CADENCE ON/OFF
CLIMB OR DESCENT
Left button first advances hours,
then minutes
Left button activates and deactivates
the cadence option
RPM
A
10
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Altitude Adjustment.
The altitude function of the
Altimeter 50 uses a barometer to measure atmospheric
pressure. Altimeters are shipped from the factory
precalibrated, and will show approximate altitude
without adjustment. However, weather changes can
affect readings by as much as 200 feet or 68 meters
during the passage of storms.
For accurate altitude information, adjust at a known
