When using these altitude watches be sure to read the included instructions very closely. Many of the ~$100 watches take pressure readings periodically only once every 2 mins. (or greater) and are made primarily for hikers/skiers. Suuto makes watches that can be set by user to take readings in intervals up to every 10 secs. but at the cost of battery endurance. However, by the time you get to this level of watch performance the price is approaching that of a piccalario!
But then again, I am not going be to taking my vario with me as I am launching off into Black Diamond mogul filled torture test in sub freezing temperatures, either! ;^O)
I don't know how pressure-sensitive/mounting position critical these model altitude recorders are - but I do know that the altimeters used in skydiving are not that sensitive to location (wrist/helmet/chest) where dramatic pressure
changes are constantly occuring during the jump due to body position. Only when I roll over on to my back do I see a difference occur with a chest mount altimeter. I don't believe vario mounting position inside a sailplane is going to make any appreciable difference in the accuracy of the reading.
Blue skies,
Capn Crunchie
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