| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Also on Backpacker.com
Backpacker Magazine – November 2009
Gear Review: Tech40 TraiLeader Pro Watch
This compact piece packs all the technology and none of the size.
Tech40 TrailLeader Pro (www.SethHughes.com/Wonderful Machine)
PERFECT TIMING
Gear Field Test: Watches
Small and Mighty
Most training and altimeter watches are heavy enough to pound nails and pretty big on the wrist. Not the TraiLeader Pro. It tracks altitude, barometric pressure, heart rate, speed, distance, temperature, and a slew of timing functions in a relatively svelte and well-priced package. "It performed at a consistently high level through months of tracking ski descents and trail runs," says a tester, "but it slides through sleeves easily and doesn't scream watch-wonk."
The menu tree has a steep learning curve, though; we had to consult the manual frequently. "But once you get the hang of it," our tester reports, "you can jump straight to the readout you want rather than having to scroll through a flurry of screens." A logbook lets you track heart rate, distance, or altitude gain/loss over a set period of time; expect the memory to hold 20 to 30 sessions before you need to upload data with the provided software. PCs only. $200; 1.9 oz.; tech4o.com.
Subscribe to Backpacker magazine
Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter
Reader Rating:
-
Editors' Choice 2013
412 trail-tested products
Boost Your Apps
Add powerful tools and exclusive maps to your BACKPACKER apps through our partnership with Trimble Outdoors.
Carry the Best Maps
With BACKPACKER PRO Maps, get life-list destinations and local trips on adventure-ready waterproof myTopo paper.
FREE Rocky Mountain Trip Planner
Sign up for a free Rocky Mountain National Park trip planning kit from our sister site MyRockyMountainPark.com.
Get 2 FREE Trial Issues and 3 FREE GIFTS
Survival Skills 101 • Eat BetterThe Best Trails in America
YES! Please send me my FREE trial issues of Backpacker
and my 3 FREE downloadable booklets.
Free trial offer valid for US subscribers only.
Canadian subscriptions |
International subscriptions
and my 3 FREE downloadable booklets.
READERS COMMENTS
Mine lasted 6 months. It couldn't handle one incident of light rain and my sweaty wrist as I went for runs. Stay away.
I seek an ABC watch for its functions and accuracy which this watch offered at fraction of cost. I find the watch to be unusually big but it is light and very comfortable. The band is soft to touch and ventilation works well. I like the idea of having big display and buttons. They are all well placed although its sheer thickness is somewhat begging to be knocked at. Menu and settings are easy to learn. Compass and thermometer are accurate. However, I could not set the baro graph to show current pressure (accurate and generally used to justify altitude) but rather it is set to display change in sea level pressure. For obvious reason, the latter's accuracy is questionable and is actually useless when travelling on land away from sea shore. Another con is the actual sensor is located near the centre behind the watch. This positioning can only skew temperature reading when worn.
This watch is notorious for being unable to handle water. Stay away from it if you are expecting to get into even moderate rain.
The link has been fixed. Thanks for the fix.
The link given is not correct. It should be www.tech4o.com with an "oh" after the 4, not a zero.
Small?
ADD A COMMENT