Highgear XT7 ALTI-GPS Trainer Watch Review
First Impressions
Designed to have all the tools you need for your outdoor adventure, the XT7 training watch promises to take you to new heights by tracking your altitude and capturing barometric pressure readings to keep you one step ahead of inclement weather. Sturdy and attractive, the XT7 is comfortable and fairly easy to use with its sensible buttons and display.
Features
The XT7 is loaded with features training enthusiast have come to rely on including satellite navigation technology, speed, distance, pacing, waypoints, heart rate monitor, and a chronograph / timer. The XT7 breaks new ground with altimeter and barometric pressure gauges and a thermometer. It’s fully rechargeable and easily interfaces with your PC. Hooking up with GPS satellites could take up to several minutes.
When tested against reliable measures, the speed, distance, and pacing metrics fell short. A mile usually measured 4 to 5 hundredths less, and speed was always slightly slower than actual. Nevertheless, readings were consistent, which allowed for tolerable approximations. Setting multiple waypoints was easy. Particularly toward the end of a workout, the waypoint feature offered a motivating mileage countdown coming down the homestretch.
Specs
Materials: Plastic
Weight: 2.25 oz
Watch Face Dimension: 1.4 in
Water Resistance: 100 ft
The altimeter and the barometer required ongoing calibration. The best practice was to set it just before each workout, which meant knowing starting elevation and local barometric pressure, both readily available online. Once set, the altimeter offered great workout metrics including slope gradient and ascent and descent rates and differentials. The barometer was a bit more unreliable as readings only sometimes matched actual conditions. The thermometer was typically well above the actual temperature but, nonetheless, offered value by capturing temperature fluctuations.
The rechargeable battery provided adequate power for several workouts although recharging and downloading after each workout is a recommended habit. To recharge the battery, the connection between the charging cable and the watch was spotty as it required exact alignment of the charging prongs to contact points on the watch. Once connected, a fully powered battery took approximately 2.5 hours to charge.
The PC software was easy to download and offered a full array of statistics, charts, and maps that were easy to comprehend and use. Tracking workouts over time provided great feedback and incentive. The mapping feature highlighted specific locations of each workout. Downloading workouts was relatively straightforward. Be sure the program is fully opened before connecting your watch to the USB port.
Fit
No issues here. Despite the relatively large size, the watch doesn’t feel too big and should fit just about anyone.
Final Verdict
I like the promise of the XT7 more than the actual product. To take advantage of the altimeter and barometric pressure gauges required ongoing calibration. If you’re willing to be vigilant, then vertical metrics await. For weather forecast, trust more in your observation and awareness of environmental conditions than the XT7. You don’t need a watch to tell you when it’s raining.
