All I want is a simple watch... sort of

Up until late last season, I had two thermometers in my paddling gear arsenal. One is stuck to my paddle, which is awesome for immediate feedback, but limited to a minimum of 10°C (50°F). The other was attached to my PFD zipper and was a small plastic triangle with a glass thermometer inside it. It has proved to not be up to the task, and ended up with the fluid all over the place in the vial - possibly cracked somewhere inside.

So, I got to thinking “where would a find a small, durable, accurate, waterproof thermometer?” And you already know what I started thinking after that because I gave it away in the subject already. :slight_smile:

Now, do you think it would be easy to find a simple, reasonably-priced waterproof wrist watch with a thermometer? If you do maybe you can point me in the right direction, 'cause I’m having a heck of a time finding something that fits my criteria.

The important features I’m looking for are:

  • Tells time and date
  • Backlight
  • Compact and light
  • Waterproof IPX8 or better
  • Buttons are difficult to press accidentally
  • Price less than $50 CAD (approx $38 USD)

…And yes, a thermometer. One that works in at least the temperature range I’m likely to be outside in, so like -25°C (-13°F) to +40°C (104°F) [+/- 1°C]. Anything outside of that range can simply be called really freakin’ hot or really freakin’ cold.

Features nice to have, and I may consider a more expensive model with these:

  • Compass
  • Barometer/altimeter

So, am I dreaming or does this “simple” watch exist? Alternatively, is there a small, durable and accurate thermometer that you could recommend?

I can’t see that having a thermometer with that working range makes any sense in a wrist watch. In most weather, especially in cold weather, the watch is going to be much warmer than the air. You’ll have to take the watch off and leave it in the open for several minutes just to get a reading.

I guess I’m just trying to have it be the most flexible, in terms of usage. I found one that almost fit my criteria but it only went down to -10°C, which leaves out a huge range in the winter. I would go through the exercise of taking it off to get the reading. I’m thinking maybe to get an actual night time temperature while winter camping. Though, admittedly, I’m not likely to be winter camping much colder than -10°C on purpose anyway.

Perhaps what you’ve pointed out is why I’m having trouble finding what I’m looking for though.

The primary use I have in mind right now though is for water temperatures between 0°C (freezing) and 10°C, the lowest reading of my stick-on device.

I used to have a Timex watch that fit all those criteria except the low temperature end. It had to be left in the water for at least 30 seconds to match the water temp but worked well.

Unfortunately, I lost that watch.

Which brand and model did you find that is the closest match?

@Guideboatguy said:
I can’t see that having a thermometer with that working range makes any sense in a wrist watch. In most weather, especially in cold weather, the watch is going to be much warmer than the air. You’ll have to take the watch off and leave it in the open for several minutes just to get a reading.

I agree with this. I was out ice climbing with a friend on a warm sunny day in January when he looked at the temp on his fancy watch and commented on how nice it was to have a 44 degree day. I told him I thought his watch was wrong. He thought his watch was right. To settle the argument I pointed at the frozen rope.

Alan

@pikabike said:
I used to have a Timex watch that fit all those criteria except the low temperature end. It had to be left in the water for at least 30 seconds to match the water temp but worked well.

Unfortunately, I lost that watch.

Which brand and model did you find that is the closest match?

This is the closest I’ve found so far, though I haven’t exhausted my searching quite yet either.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5023-114/Twin-Sensor-Watch

Although I would prefer the low temperature limit as well, if I could find something that was a reasonable price and fit the other criteria I think I could live with -10°C (14°F) or so. Air temperature records are easier to come by online than water temperature anyway.

I’ve had a few watches with thermometers. Cheap ones and expensive ones. I found the readings to be basically useless. My body heat would affect the temp reading, by a lot. To get an accurate reading I would have to take it off and let it sit about 5-10 mins. I have one of these and it seems to be pretty accurate. http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/products.asp?mi=7888

I want a watch…that tells time. Not steps, not heart beats, not gps, not “MOVE”, not “Bluetooth connection lost” buzz…just time.

@Overstreet said:
I want a watch…that tells time. Not steps, not heart beats, not gps, not “MOVE”, not “Bluetooth connection lost” buzz…just time.

Ok, but what about temperature? :wink:

I wouldn’t even consider a “smart watch” as an option. I just don’t get how these are actually useful. GPS would be nice but WAY too expensive in a watch, and likely a battery hog.

@BrianSnat said:
I’ve had a few watches with thermometers. Cheap ones and expensive ones. I found the readings to be basically useless. My body heat would affect the temp reading, by a lot. To get an accurate reading I would have to take it off and let it sit about 5-10 mins. I have one of these and it seems to be pretty accurate. http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/products.asp?mi=7888

LOL - that’s exactly the one I’ve owned two of. Both of them failed due to the vial either breaking or just the liquid inside getting bubbles in it, not sure which but the result was a useless piece of plastic. When it worked it was great. It was as accurate as I’d ever need. I notice that MEC doesn’t list them anymore, so maybe other people were complaining about them too. There’s an inexpensive MEC branded version that I might give a shot.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/1203-066/Zipper-Thermometer?gclid=CO3Zt56qoNMCFZO6wAodwSUL_Q

@Overstreet said:
I want a watch…that tells time. Not steps, not heart beats, not gps, not “MOVE”, not “Bluetooth connection lost” buzz…just time.

Here you go: Not fancy or expensive. It tells the time and I can see it in the sunlight…
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Casio-Men-s-Forester-Sport-Watch-Nylon-Quick-Wrap-Strap/20452174

I can find out water temp by checking the NOAA buoys. Or putting my hand in the water.

I got one of these rubber 10 ATM waterproof watches last summer for paddling (hard to go wrong for $24.95 – and it comes in a range of colors and most big shopping malls have a Dakota Watch kiosk for these somewhere). Nice backlight – buttons don’t trip by accident, case that has not leaked yet, even with considerable immersions. Compact and comfortable too, even on my fairly small wrist.

http://www.dakotawatch.com/index.php/ladies-watches/sport-watches/petite-stingray-moonglow-red-black.html?___SID=U

And I have one of these $10 thermometers to clip to my PFD or deck-lines.
http://www.rei.com/product/831238/sun-company-tempacomp-keychain

Dakota also makes a chunkier watch that even has digital tide tracking and a pacer function for $49.95 (alas, still no thermometer).

http://www.dakotawatch.com/index.php/dakota-tide-watch.html

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/bios-digital-inout-thermometer/6000075838818

https://www.walmart.com/ip/G-Shock-Illuminating-Watch/894296

I use this indoor outdoor thermometer to get water temps when paddling. Just throw the long wire into the water and wait about 40 seconds for the outdoor reading. And of course the indoor reading is the air temp. After a few years of gathering data I can usually predict the number. It’s been very helpful for choosing the right immersion gear, so I think of it as safety equipment.

The second link is the watch I use. Rated to 200 meters depth. Even the flushing water of surf doesn’t seem to affect it.

KP

Thanks all. But wife got me the Garmin Fit whatever. Got to let it age a little.

@gobsmacked said:
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/bios-digital-inout-thermometer/6000075838818

https://www.walmart.com/ip/G-Shock-Illuminating-Watch/894296

I use this indoor outdoor thermometer to get water temps when paddling. Just throw the long wire into the water and wait about 40 seconds for the outdoor reading. And of course the indoor reading is the air temp. After a few years of gathering data I can usually predict the number. It’s been very helpful for choosing the right immersion gear, so I think of it as safety equipment.

The second link is the watch I use. Rated to 200 meters depth. Even the flushing water of surf doesn’t seem to affect it.

KP

I have one of those Casio G-Shock watches that I found about 15 years ago in 80’ of water on a Caribbean reef. It still runs fine.

I hardly ever wear it as I have one of those Garmin HR+ things that I use mostly to monitor and record my heart rate and pace while I’m running. It also has GPS, links with an iPhone, and is rechargeable via USB.