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 as h on th e disp lay and t hen ALTI will appear in the upper displa y . Keep
E
depressed until AL TI appears.
• The c urre nt alt itud e valu e will ap pea r at thi s time .
2. Press
D
twice.
• DISP will appe ar, and the n the c urren t scre en set ti ng wil l appe ar in t he upp er dis play.
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 d o not p er for m any but to n ope ratio n whi le in th e Al time ter M ode, t he watch w ill retu rn to th e
Tim eke epin g Mo de auto mat ical ly af ter 12 ho urs (alti tude a uto rea ding in ter val: 2’00 ) or a fte r one
hou r (altitu de auto re ading i nter val: 0’0 5).
• If tre k log o perat ion i s in pro gres s wit h 0’05 sele cted as t he al titu de aut o mea sure ment m eth od,
exiti ng th e Alt imete r Mo de to an oth er mo de wi ll auto mat ical ly cau se th e auto re ading i nter val 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 c urre nt alt itud e readi ng valu e will a ppea r at thi s tim e.
2. Press
D
to display the current altitude auto reading interval setting.
• This will cause INTER V AL to scroll ac ross t he top di splay. The
curre nt alt itud e auto re ading i nter val se tt ing (0’05 or 2’00) will b e
fl ashi ng in th e cen ter dis play.
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 s ens or mo des a re: Digi tal C om pass M od e, Baro mete r/
The rm ome ter Mo de, an d Alt imete r Mo de.
2. Press
A
to start auto altimeter readings.
• The c urre nt alt itud e value i s disp layed in u nits o f 1 meter (5 fe et).
• For i nfor mat ion a bou t the m easu rem ent inte r val, se e page E- 4 3 .
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 c urre nt alt itud e readi ng valu e will a ppea r at thi s tim e.
2. Use
A
(+) or
C
(–) to change the current reference altitude value in
1-meter (5-foot) increments.
• Cha nge th e referen ce al titu de valu e to an acc urate al titu de readi ng
that y ou get f rom a m ap or o the r sou rce.
• Y ou ca n set t he refere nce a ltit ude val ue wi thin t he ran ge of –10,0 0 0
t o 1 0,000 m e te r s ( –32 ,8 00 to 3 2 ,800 f e e t ) .
• Pressing
A
and
C
at the s am e tim e retur ns to OFF (no referen ce
alti tude va lue), so th e watch pe rfo rms a ir pres sure to a ltit ude
convers ions based on prese t data only .
3. Press
E
to exit the setting screen.
Operation Guide 3439