Barometer:useful or not?

[limeydal]

As a free bonus when I bought my Humminbird combo; they send you a "weathersense" barometer .( "$75 value")
This attaches to the unit and displays info. on the humminbird display, such as presssure/rise or fall/and icons for forecast. Also possible to set alarms for sudden pressure changes indicating severe weather.

Apart from the issue of trying to mount it out of the spray;is this a useful additional tool (as well as usual forcast methods) or more of a gimmick?

Dont want to put any additional holes in the console unless its going to be
beneficial!
cheers Dal

[codprawn]

I have a Suunto Vector watch whitch is a combined barometer/altimeter/compass - oh and it tells the time!!!

I find the barometer very useful - sudden changes do seem to indicate what the weather is up to - haven't used it at sea yet but my "weather sense" is usually very good as I have done quite a bit of mountain climbing.

[John Kennett]

I think it's an excellent idea. I have an electronic barometer on my desk, and it gives agood indication of the weather. It's particularly useful to be aware of rapidly falling pressure.

John

[tim griffin]

And rapidly rising as the cold front passes . A useful tool for cruising and if you have a synoptic weather forcast you get a good idea of the approaching weather fronts and speed that they are moving. Remember weather forcast's are only a prediction so any thing that can help to decypher the forcasts is useful.A good book RYA Weather at Sea is a good read ISBN 1-898660-49-2

[John Kennett]

It's even better when it's showing rock solid 1006mB for the last 24 hours. Better dig out the factor 30!

John

[limeydal]

Ok got the sensor fitted and hooked up.Was told to instal in a sheltered /dry place, so put it under the wheel (thats about as close to it as I could.)
Luckily with our weather I dont get any water over the bow usually(this XS-Rib seems very dry anyway)
So can display the icons on the bottom of other screens or go to the dedicated screen where it shows the history.
Will let you know how it "survives"
cheers dal