E-40
Using the Altimeter Mode
The watch takes altitude readings and displays results based on air pressure measurements taken by a
built-in pressure sensor. It also saves various types of altitude records and data.
•
The displayed altitude reading is a relative altitude that is calculated based on measurement of
changes in barometric pressure by the watch’s pressure sensor. This means that barometric pressure
changes can cause readings taken at different times at the same location to be different. Also note that
the value displayed by the watch may be different from the actual elevation and/or sea level elevation
indicated for the area where you are located.
•
When using the altimeter of this watch for mountain climbing or other activities, it is highly
recommended that you check a map, local altitude indications, or some other source for your current
correct altitude and regularly calibrate the altimeter with the latest information.
Important!
•
See “To specify a reference altitude value” (page E-47) and “Altimeter Precautions” (page E-57) for
information about how to minimize differences between readings produced by the watch and values
provided by local altitude (elevation) indications.
E-41
Getting Ready
Before actually taking an altitude reading you need to select an altitude screen format and select an
altitude reading interval.
Selecting the Altitude Screen Format
You can select either of two screen formats for the Altimeter Mode.
Screen 1
Altitude
tendency graph
Altitude
Current time
Screen 2
Relative altitude
Altitude
Current time
•
Altitude tendency graph contents are updated each time you take an altitude reading.
•
To take readings of the difference between the altitude at your current location and the altitude at a
reference point, select Screen 2. See “Using an Altitude Differential Value” (page E-48) for more
information.
E-42
To select the altitude screen format
1. In the Altimeter Mode, hold down
E
for at least two seconds.
•
SET Hold
will fl ash on the display and then
ALTI
will appear in the upper display. Keep
E
depressed until
ALTI
appears.
•
The current altitude value will appear at this time.
2. Press
D
twice.
•
DISP
will appear, and then the current screen setting will appear in the upper display.
3. Use
A
to toggle the setting between the two screens.
Screen 1
Screen 2
4. Press
E
to exit the setting screen.
E-43
Selecting the Altitude Auto Reading Interval
You can select either of the following two altitude auto reading interval.
0’05
: Readings at one-second intervals for the fi rst three minutes, and then every fi ve seconds for
approximately the next hour
2’00
: Readings at one-second intervals for the fi rst three minutes, and then every two minutes for
approximately the next 12 hours
Note
•
If you do not perform any button operation while in the Altimeter Mode, the watch will return to the
Timekeeping Mode automatically after 12 hours (altitude auto reading interval:
2’00
) or after one
hour (altitude auto reading interval:
0’05
).
•
If trek log operation is in progress with
0’05
selected as the altitude auto measurement method,
exiting the Altimeter Mode to another mode will automatically cause the auto reading interval to
change to
2’00
.
To select the altitude auto reading interval
1. In the Altimeter Mode, hold down
E
for at least two seconds.
SET
Hold
will fl ash on the display and then
ALTI
will appear in the upper
display. Keep
E
depressed until
ALTI
appears.
•
The current altitude reading value will appear at this time.
2. Press
D
to display the current altitude auto reading interval setting.
•
This will cause
INTERVAL
to scroll across the top display. The
current altitude auto reading interval setting (
0’05
or
2’00
) will be
fl ashing in the center display.
3. Press
A
to toggle the altitude auto measurement interval setting
between
0’05
and
2’00
.
4. Press
E
to exit the setting screen.
E-44
Taking Altitude Readings
Use the procedure below to take basic altitude readings.
•
See “Using Reference Altitude Values” (page E-46) for information about how to make altimeter
readings more accurate.
•
See “How does the altimeter work?” (page E-55) for information about how the watch measures altitude.
E-45
To take altitude readings
1. Make sure the watch is in the Timekeeping Mode or any one of the
sensor modes.
•
The sensor modes are: Digital Compass Mode, Barometer/
Thermometer Mode, and Altimeter Mode.
2. Press
A
to start auto altimeter readings.
•
The current altitude value is displayed in units of 1 meter (5 feet).
•
For information about the measurement interval, see page E-43.
Note
•
After you are fi nished, press
D
to return to the Timekeeping Mode and
stop recording of auto save values (page E-51).
•
The watch will return to the Timekeeping Mode automatically if you do
not perform any operation (page E-12).
•
The measurement range for altitude is –700 to 10,000 meters (–2,300
to 32,800 feet).
•
The displayed altitude value changes to
- - - -
if an altitude reading
falls outside the measurement range. An altitude value will reappear as
soon as the altitude reading is within the allowable range.
•
Normally, displayed altitude values are based on the watch’s preset
conversion values. You also can specify a reference altitude value, if
you want. See “Using Reference Altitude Values” (page E-46).
•
You can change the unit for displayed altitude values to either meters
(m) or feet (ft). See “To specify temperature, barometric pressure, and
altitude display units” (page E-29).
Screen 1 Selected
Altitude tendency graph
Altitude
Current time
Screen 1 Selected
Altitude tendency graph
Altitude
Current time
Screen 2 Selected
Relative altitude
Altitude
Current time
Screen 2 Selected
Relative altitude
Altitude
Current time
E-46
•
The altitude tendency graph shows changes in altitude over the past 20 readings while readings are
being taken.
50 meters
(10 meters for
each block )
20 readings ago
Current
reading
Using Reference Altitude Values
To minimize the chance of reading error, you should update the reference altitude value before setting off
on a trek or any other activity where you plan to take altitude readings. While mountain climbing, it is
highly recommended that you check a map, local altitude indications, or some other source for your
current correct altitude and regularly update the reference altitude value with the latest information.
•
Reading error can be caused by changes in barometric pressure, and by temperature changes due to
change in barometric pressure and/or elevation.
•
Though altitude readings can be taken without setting a reference altitude, doing so may produce
readings that are very different from altitudes indicated by other altitude markers and indications.
•
Before performing the procedure below, look up the altitude of your current location on a map, the
Internet, etc.
E-47
To specify a reference altitude value
1. In the Altimeter Mode, hold down
E
for at least two seconds.
SET
Hold
will fl ash on the display and then
ALTI
will appear in the upper
display. Keep
E
depressed until
ALTI
appears.
•
The current altitude reading value will appear at this time.
2. Use
A
(+) or
C
(–) to change the current reference altitude value in
1-meter (5-foot) increments.
•
Change the reference altitude value to an accurate altitude reading
that you get from a map or other source.
•
You can set the reference altitude value within the range of –10,000
to 10,000 meters (–32,800 to 32,800 feet).
•
Pressing
A
and
C
at the same time returns to
OFF
(no reference
altitude value), so the watch performs air pressure to altitude
conversions based on preset data only.
3. Press
E
to exit the setting screen.
Operation Guide 3439
