Compass / Slope Meter

[Jonathan S.]

Oh yeah, I totally forgot my S1 has that.

But how about a digital clinometer with a sighting function? Sort of like a pair of binoculars. Get down close to the snow surface, sight the bottom of the slope, and simultaneously see the angle superimposed on the screen. (Okay, I know, not exactly the most important thing in the world, but would be an interesting tool . . . umm, gimmick?)

[pechelman]

they sort of have that now afaik
search for "digital rangefinder inclinometer"
most of them are for golf or hunting, and stupidly dont display the angle, but will calculate horizontal distance from angle and actual sighted distance

some of them even have compasses and thermometers too...

id think someone out there makes what you said though.

edit
bushnell makes a scout 1000 arc with the angle displayed
though no compass or temp as far as i can tell

[Tri-Ungulate]

The clinometer on my S1 is largely useless, as you need to dig it out from under jacket and gloves, and once uncovered you have to push a bajillion buttons in sequence and even then it's almost impossible to sight it correctly. I've ended up using my old $25 Brunton instead.

[TomK]

I carry one of these.


It is a little bulky at 4" x 5" x 5/8", but the large size is good for old eyes.

One edge is flat, the other has a v-groove so it lays nice on a ski pole.
Once the needle settles, just pinch it and that locks the needle in place so that you can move it up into easy reading range.

Cheap too - 6 bucks at http://www.jackstoolshed.com/product/PT-52137

Modifications:
Took out the magnet to avoid compass interferance.
Added a brass lanyard loop so that when dropped it it doesn't get away..
Used colored sharpies to mark Green/Yellow/Orange/Red angle ranges taken from my old life-link one.

[Jonathan S.]

they sort of have that now afaik
search for "digital rangefinder inclinometer"

Oh yeah, here we go:
http://www.adorama.com/NELRB4000CI.h...31206012620273

Seriously though, I'll go to some hunting stores to check out the more reasonably priced models -- still rather pricey but would have a great neat-o factor when teaching avy courses.

[Hugh Conway]

Neat because people can no longer read analog dials?

[Jonathan S.]

Yeah yeah yeah, I know, entirely unnecessary, but any gizmo that gets people interested in the whole concept of carefully measuring slope angles is potentially helpful. (Plus I like the idea that a device intended to help kill things in the great outdoors could potentially be used to help people keep themselves safe.)

[cmor]

Neat because people can no longer read analog dials?


Digital = useless cost and precision.

For general touring around I don't think it would be all that useful, but for shooting alpha and beta angles it could be a big improvement. Many times a difference of one degree can matter a great deal. And for the general profiling of paths, it would not be useless cost and precision.

I'll tell you that two experienced people shooting the same angle will vary there readings by at least a degree fairly regularly. And digital has potential to speed the whole process up.

For all the time people spend talking about their beacon's power supplies, inane accuracy tidbits, and etc., very little attention is paid to the accuracy of the much more important inclinometer. And even less practice associated with it.

[Hugh Conway]

heh. the Suunto is good to <a degree quickly for the practiced eye; a digital readout won't change the inherent accuracy of the measurement method.

I think a digital clinometer as part of some integrated digital data-logging system would be useful for professionals doing pitwork daily. Elevation, Inclination, Temperature, Pit profile, < hit save > repeat < download at end of day >

[cmor]

heh. the Suunto is good to <a degree quickly for the practiced eye; a digital readout won't change the inherent accuracy of the measurement method.

I think a digital clinometer as part of some integrated digital data-logging system would be useful for professionals doing pitwork daily. Elevation, Inclination, Temperature, Pit profile, < hit save > repeat < download at end of day >

Well, perhaps digital isn't what I was really looking for. I could care less whether the final readout is digital or analog. But I think the user end design of the inclinometer could be improved. Similar to a rangefinder design. Because, again, I've seen very experienced people vary there readings by a degree before.

But as stated previously, I think the market would be small, in the avie world very small, so I don't expect to see much in the way of improvement.