Thermometer

I’ve regularily seen inexpensive thermometer watches on sale at campmor.com. I have a Highgear Altitech II that I like, but that doesn’t count as inexpensive. Avoid the super cheap analog zipper pull thermometers, they aren’t very accurate.

First off, Campmor is one of my favorite stores. I do a lot of business with them.

Campmor has some $10 dangly ones. AVOID them. I ordered three as gifts. One didn’t work from the “get-go”. One stops functioning whenever it’s moved (yeah…that’s a real useful feature).

The other is stilling working. At least one person likes the gift.

You have better odds at a Casino.

It seems whenever I use a wrist-mounted thermometer, it’s always significantly influenced by my body temperature. Any thoughts?

Wrist thermometers are notorious for being influenced by their proximity to body heat. I don’t know of any exceptions.My Suunto has to be away from my body for a quarter hour or more before giving an accurate ambient air temperature.

I usually “”wear” my Suunto instrument on a loop through the shoulder strap of my pack. That makes the thermometer a little more accurate. There are also two other benefits: the gadget is less likely to get hammered during a heinous bushwack and I can thread an umbrella handle through it, which locks the umbrella nicely in place leaving my hands free.

It’s a good method while wearing a pack. When I’m skiing and sometimes not wearing one or if I need to use the compass function (where the watch needs to be level for a halfway accurate bearing) it’s best used on my wrist. It’s a matter of trade-offs for the functions. When I go off trail or thru brushy sections, I put the watch away.

Check this out: http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt600.html

Range: -58 to 302°F (-50 to 150°C)
Accuracy: ±1.8°F (±1°C)
Probe: Thermistor, 5”L x 1/8” dia.
Battery: 1 LR44 1.5V
Units: Switchable °C/°F

There are all kinds of inexpensive digital thermometers like this now. HVAC technicians and food service workers use them all over. Search on “digital pocket thermometer” and you’ll get all kinds of links.

Thanks to everyone who responded. While researching, I came upon this:

http://www.ambientweather.com/orschawefowi.html

It’s heavier(2.5 oz.) and more gadgety than I was originally intending but it does look like a lot of fun.

What about an ibutton for the max/min and a simple analog key ring thermometer for checking the temp in the morning?

http://www.ibutton.com