Cavechat.org

Lava wrote:I hate to wear a watch while caving. For awhile I did, and every time I'd catch a glimpse of it, I'd be reminded that the above-ground world still existed... which I don't want to even think about while caving.

I used to have a BF who had his watch beep every hour. *That* reminded me that an hour of my life was gone forever and I was one hour closer to the grave. But I like have some idea what time it is when I'm underground. So I like to wear a watch, just not one that beeps!

I use a cheap one that I bought at Walmart for $3.97. It seems to be pretty water resistant and has a nice big display that is easy to read. I've used for 2 years now it's held up very well.

used Casio "Mud/Water Resist" watch for awhile now. No probs except buttons are covered by rubber and a little stiff. Also used Baby-G shock. Both obtained from Campmor for about 10.00. THey generally have great deals on watches:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 0000000226

I'm gonna be the black sheep here... i've been using a Suunto Vector for about a year now, in cave and out of cave... and its stood up so far... it was more of me being a gear junkie than lookign for a 'good' caving watch... the compass function is nice, as long as you take it with a grain of salt... it also lives under my oversuit and a layer of polypros, so that's probably kept it safe-ish from all he nasty stuff i've thrown at it while caving...

Ummmm, I use a Diurnal Rhythm Master, it's simple and cheap. When you're tired you sleep, when you're hungry you eat. It loses a few hours a day, but it's always in synch.
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George Fish, #27463

I use carbide changes. 3 to 3 and half hours per charge. It only gets confusing after about 5 or 6 changes, then you just look at the amount of carbide left in your bottle. One third left, "holy smokes, I've been here too long, it must be time to leave.

I was looking at the G shock Riseman to use the altimeter. how is the Mudman different in grime control?
Thanks

This watch has been on my wrist during all of my cave trips over the past three years. It's held up great and still looks nice enough that I wear it on normal, non-caving days too. :)

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-MDV102-1AV- ... 47-0478607

edit- hmm, looks like it's out of stock most places. That figures.

On the other end of the price spectrum, there's the Rolex for speleoligists- the Explorer-

http://rolex.watchprosite.com/show-nblo ... 11/fi-732/

Would there be any value to using an ABC watch like a Garmin Fenix or a Suunto Ambit?

Speaking for myself, those seem wayyy to pricey to bring in a cave. GPS won't work in a cave, and the other functions can be accomplished with much cheaper units. Save some heartache and cave with a watch that you're ok with scratching, caking with mud, breaking, and generally dramatically reducing the resale value of.

Luke,

Good Advice. Thank you.