I know that there's been some messages about using only one's wits with minimal tools as being "pure" survival technique. And I know that one should never rely upon technology for survival. But...<br><br>Tissot has just release a new watch that is very cool, It's called the T-Touch and it retails for approx. $600 (so I don't have to worry about buying it anytime soon!). Anyway, it's an analog watch with a digital display window and it has the following functions: barometer, altimeter, chronometer, compass, alarm & thermometer. <br><br>I'm currious how the compass function works, but the web site doesn't explain much. It does say it locates magnetic north and can be adjusted for east and west declination. That sound pretty darn functional to me.<br><br>

Mimicking Scrooge "Spirit of equipped past, present and future- SHOW ME NO MORE!" as I cringe under my space blanket.

<br>Suunto makes similar products, at about "only" half the price, which is still expensive. I have this one...<br><br>http://www.suunto.com/pls/suunto/suunto2.pubproduct.prod_view?in_product_id=329&in_prodgrp_id=164<br><br>..and it's pretty nice, albiet a little large.<br><br>

I have one too, the "Yachtsman", and I like it a lot.<br><br>For field watches I had been using Casios for many years, but the designs kept getting more and more appearance-oriented and less functional.<br><br>The Suunto is a bit large, but it weighs much less than a Casio G-Force, maybe half.. it's really surprising how light it is. That, combined with the fact that it's more rounded so that sleeves don't interfere with it nearly as much, make it seem more convenient to wear than the smaller but heavier and more angular Casios.<br><br>Besides, the display is much larger, and I don't need glasses...

It looks like there is a touch sensor embedded in the crystal. It is possible that in a true emergency if the crystal gets whacked really good then you might not be able to switch to those extra features. I would also prefer a compass without batteries.

>>I would also prefer a compass without batteries. <<<br><br>How cynical.<br><br>My favorite feature of all of these watches is the thermometer. By estimating the actual ambient temperature and subtracting that from the watch's temperature reading, with a little practice you can come up with a very reasonable guess as to whether you're wearing a long-sleeve shirt. :-)<br>

Gadgets - hate all the ones I haven't bought yet and 1/2 of the one's I have bought.<br><br>I understand from a friend who works for a big ol wireless company, that there is a cell/gps/frs/gmrs/compass/alt/chrono/barometer/therm. on the drawing boards. <br><br>Start saving your nickels now.

The watch themometer thing- you speak the truth! They are about as accurate as a bubblegum machine horoscope!

<br>Actually my Suunto seems to provide very accurate temperatures. The trick is to not be wearing it. ;-)<br>I think even the manual makes some sort of reference to removing the watch for a certain amount of time to get good readings.

Mine too. I have to admit, though, that I find it less useful in general when I'm not wearing it. :-)<br><br>What would make the thermometer useful is to be able to capture high/low temps. Taking it off at night is reasonable, and capturing the low gives you some more objective idea of how your sleeping gear is performing.