Barometer recommendations

[bott]

I am looking at getting a good barometer for my boat (my cheapo one that came with the boat is dead).

I am very interested in being able to use it as a real weather prediction instrument, not just a desktop trinket. I also want an analog one... no batteries/circuts.

Any recommendations? Or, what price range would fit the bill for a roubust model, adn accurate enough for marine weather uses?

Thanks!
-eric

[paladin]

I am happy with a Weems and Plath recording unit that winds with a key and makes a paper strip chart....the best of the type...ain't cheeeep....but good...
They also make nice non recording ones for 75-90 bucks last time I looked....
That is the way to go if you get weather reports by radio, then board the boat and check and record the readings every 45 min-hour to get the pattern.

edited to add.....just looked and the critters are $220 for the small ones...clock or barometer.My set is on the main bulkhead....
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid217/p943f74eb7d1990cf3a97d7e1a61a71bc/ec61a41c.jpg

I have (near the nav station) these are 975 bucks using a double A battery, and 1795 bucks with the quartz stabilized mechanism...mine use the wind-up key clock mechanism...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid217/p498449c758bcbd0e836a38f464ba2cba/ec61a41d.jpg

and this one, given by the Slocum Society was $350....
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid217/pe52efdf38eeed5c543039115ffc988f8/ec61a41b.jpg

[bott]

I am happy with a Weems and Plath recording unit that winds with a key and makes a paper strip chart....the best of the type...ain't cheeeep....but good...
They also make nice non recording ones for 75-90 bucks last time I looked....
That is the way to go if you get weather reports by radio, then board the boat and check and record the readings every 45 min-hour to get the pattern.

So, you actually have a full on barograph on your boat?

http://www.weems-plath.com/uploaded_files/itemLargeImage1099934543.jpg

[paladin]

yup....and a couple dozen chart strips packages....If I am not walking around the deck checking things or watching the horizen, I'm sitting checking navigation or the weather, something, all the time......or doodling makin grummitts or rope stuff or canvas stuff,,,,,like right now I have some embroidery work to finish, them some grummits...and if they are done by Christmas, somebody may get something nice,,,

[Kim Whitmyre]

Excuse me for ignoring your analog and battery remarks :p , but this barometer gets exceedingly high marks:

Weems&Plath Digital Marine Barometer (http://www.starpath.com/catalog/accessories/1872.htm)

http://www.starpath.com/catalog/pics/marine_barom.jpg

From their comments:

" Shows pressure to nearest tenth of a mb as well as graphic history of pressure for up to 48 hour with zoom to past 6 or 12 hours.

We have tested this device in comparison to the NWS barometer at the West Point lighthouse near us and to a series of weather maps, taken 4 times a day for 2 weeks during a transpacific crossing. We have also repeated this type of comparison in the 2004 Pacific Cup Yacht Race. This instrument will clearly do the job of evaluating weather maps and spotting pressure changes as early as possible—and in fact do it better than some aneroid instruments that cost 4 or 5 times more. "

[Lew Barrett]

Every person should be allowed to splurge once in awhile. For that person, who is looking to buy their once-in-a-lifetime barometer and/or ship's clock, should that person be a traditionalist (of which I am personally guilty) it would be harder to recommend something more entertaining in the way of an extravagance than a good Bendix-Frieze barometer. These were standard issue up until perhaps the sixties on US merchantmen and warships.
I did an e-bay search and turned up this one, which looks to have a new dial (it's not serialized in the photo).
I have an older WWII era unit and it is very responsive and accurate. and easily calibrated. Not cheap, but you buy it for life. If you buy a used one, you want some assurances.
I got mine for about $100 a number of years ago, but the case on mine has more patina. Keep your eyes peeled, they still turn up. This one seems on the pricy end, but I haven't kept up with recent values for good examples.
Chuck, is that deck watch a Hamilton 22 or an English watch? They're more than $350 now, you know.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BENDIX-FRIEZ-U-S-MARITIME-COMMISSION-SHIPS-BAROMETER_W0QQitemZ7405877668QQihZ016QQcategoryZ37 967QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[paladin]

Mines a Hamilton....but I haven't been in the market for about 20-25 years now.....I just googled some prices..
all my stuff works so why buy a new one....:D..
and backup...(like I need another) is a WWII German sub clock.....

[Lew Barrett]

I have one too; usual wartime vintage. Fun piece, super accurate, cool gimbals and box, has the power reserve indicator, but you have to wind it every 48 hours. I'll put some pics up of my on-board stuff later; the aforementioned Frieze, plus a Chelsea Radio Room clock with sweep second and zulu hand, and the quiet hour red ticks. I love this stuff. Instrument posts tonight...or tomorrow.

[paladin]

my "other" little clock is a 24 hour unit......always set to zulu

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I have a Schatz Royal Mariner pair that I bought off Ebay... The 8 inch clock and barometer set. The barometer can be had for about 100 dollars or so on Ebay.