Entered CNET Catalog: 06/18/2004
SKU: 20014
Manufacturer: High Gear
Product summary
The good: Nice fit; incorporates a digital compass, a barometer, an altimeter, and a chronograph; water resistant.
The bad: Somewhat stiff controls; no heart-rate monitor; no PC training software.
The bottom line: If you spend a lot of time in your hiking boots, the Axis is for you.
Average user rating: 
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 07/26/2004
The Axis nicely fits both petite and large wrists; it has a large, very readable screen featuring a three-second EL backlight, and it is waterproof up to 30 meters. It comes in three colors: black, blue, and tan. In default mode, the screen displays the time, the current temperature, and a weather-forecast icon. Five controls circle the perimeter of the watch face: two buttons on each side in standard sports-watch formation and one at the bottom center that triggers the altimeter and the compass. We like the layout, but the controls themselves are somewhat stiff and hard to press. Setting up and navigating through the watch's options are straightforward processes, though as with all sports watches, you'll have to master some Morse code-like keystrokes.
We took the Axis on a day-long trip to Mt. Taurus, a rocky climb located just outside New York City. Temperature readings seemed slightly off, probably because the watch picked up our body heat, but they were close enough to remind us to take frequent water breaks. Weather data are based on the watch's barometric readings and expressed using one of four icons, which aren't especially helpful; you can look at the sky and tell that it's overcast. However, the watch does store 24 hours of barometric data and display it as a chart, which can be useful when reviewing your performance data later.
The digital compass and the altimeter are the handiest features on the watch. Even though we didn't get lost enough to need it for frequent reference, we found the digital compass pretty much spot-on. Before you use the watch, you'll need to calibrate the compass, which isn't an especially scientific process: you slowly rotate the watch 360 degrees, then repeat. Exposure to magnets, speakers, and travel will easily throw off its reading; Highgear recommends that you recalibrate frequently. Altitude data is displayed as a bar chart, which isn't precise, but it's useful. The Axis can store up to eight hours of altitude info (each bar represents 15 minutes of data) so that you can review it later. Highgear also recommends that you frequently calibrate the altimeter; it's based on barometric readings and occasionally requires fine-tuning. Highgear backs the Axis with a one-year warranty.
Overall, while we'd like to see a heart-rate monitor on the feature list, we recommend this watch if you tend to wander into the woods a lot. It's not a good pick if you live on flat terrain--say, Florida or Texas--or want a device for urban outdoor sports.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 3 user reviews
Adequate, with one major design flaw
Pros: Accurate, readable
Cons: Involuntary reset, DIFFICULT NIGHTTIME USE!
Review: Although I love the watch otherwise, I have serious issues with one aspect of the design. It seems that reviewers have never used this in the dark, or they would have also barked about it. The "set" and "light" buttons are one in the same. If you want to "set" the altitude--or alarm--in the dark, you'll need a headlamp, because otherwise you only have 2 seconds to do your handiwork before the watch's light kicks off. If you hit "light" again, to illuminate your work, it automatically takes you out of set mode. Frustrating.
In contrast to other reviewers, I found the temperature to be VERY accurate, provide one does not expect the watch to distinquish between body heat and air temperature. No watch can do that. The watch must be hung on a pack or something in order to give a good reading.
Also, my watch "reset" itself to the millenium about every three weeks or so. Most frustrating. I'm hoping this is just a faulty watch, and not design-related. I'm awaiting a replacement from High Gear.
In contrast to other reviewers, I found the temperature to be VERY accurate, provide one does not expect the watch to distinquish between body heat and air temperature. No watch can do that. The watch must be hung on a pack or something in order to give a good reading.
Also, my watch "reset" itself to the millenium about every three weeks or so. Most frustrating. I'm hoping this is just a faulty watch, and not design-related. I'm awaiting a replacement from High Gear.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 3 user reviews
Good fit, useful features
Pros: Easy to read display, compass, altimeter
Cons: Temperature, water resistance
Review: I should be holidaying on a tropical island according to the temperature displayed. Should be able to calibrate the temperature.
User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 3 user reviews
Required a reboot in the first 2 weeks
Pros: Cool features
Cons: Terrible water resistance, buggy software, required reboot, scuffs easily
Review: The software is no way near as sexy as the Nike Zerodrift (no scrolling text or cute pictures), but unlike Nike it seemed this watch worked and was durable (not flimsy "hardened" aluminum that scratches like crazy). It is bigger than Nike but much smaller than the Casio watches. It seemed very good. Then it crashed - the barometer graph died.
I called tech support and they told me it's normal for watches to crash and need reboots like a computer (presumably a Windows computer). Yes, they really said that, well, minus the Windows snark. I rebooted it and now the compass gives irrational results, just like my Nike watch. Maybe I calibrated it wrong, I don't know. Maybe there are crazy magnetic fields where I live. All I know is it stopped working.
Also, it is only water resistant to "30 meters," or in non-lying-marketing-speak: "Water resistance or 3ATM / 30m = accidental splashes" No swimming with this watch, and obviously no depth gauge either.
Anyway, I decided to give this watch another chance by exchanging it, but now CampSaver, despite their hassle-free return policy, is giving me hassle. So, I think I will return it instead.
I called tech support and they told me it's normal for watches to crash and need reboots like a computer (presumably a Windows computer). Yes, they really said that, well, minus the Windows snark. I rebooted it and now the compass gives irrational results, just like my Nike watch. Maybe I calibrated it wrong, I don't know. Maybe there are crazy magnetic fields where I live. All I know is it stopped working.
Also, it is only water resistant to "30 meters," or in non-lying-marketing-speak: "Water resistance or 3ATM / 30m = accidental splashes" No swimming with this watch, and obviously no depth gauge either.
Anyway, I decided to give this watch another chance by exchanging it, but now CampSaver, despite their hassle-free return policy, is giving me hassle. So, I think I will return it instead.
Updated
I got an exact exchange for the watch and wore it for 2 days before the barometer died. I rebooted it, it worked about 2 days, and then it died again. So, I have had to reboot this watch twice and I haven't even peeled the clear plastic of the crystal yet.
Pathetic.
Yet, I wonder how many people will put up with this kind of quality now that they have gotten used to it from Windows crashes and sanskrit tech support.
I got an exact exchange for the watch and wore it for 2 days before the barometer died. I rebooted it, it worked about 2 days, and then it died again. So, I have had to reboot this watch twice and I haven't even peeled the clear plastic of the crystal yet.
Pathetic.
Yet, I wonder how many people will put up with this kind of quality now that they have gotten used to it from Windows crashes and sanskrit tech support.
