Watches with compass are essential instruments to take when hiking in the woods or navigating in an unfamiliar city. When most people think of a compass they picture a mountaineer or back packer who needs to find his way back to camp. But a direction finding tool can be just as useful for people trying to find their way to a five star restaurant once they get off the metro.

Some time pieces have digital compasses which for some people make reading easier. People who are not familiar using a direction finder should read up on how to find a destination using a directional and a map. There are many resources in the library and on the internet on how to correctly use a direction finder.

A direction finding device has a needle which points due north so the direction right of the needle is east and the direction left of the needle is west. The opposite direction of the needle is south. Sometimes however the needle is not pointing due north so it is important to use care.

Some compasses are susceptible to magnetic interference so that the needle is not pointing to the North Pole but is being attracted by a piece of metal nearby. When shopping for compasses find out how sensitive the needle is to metallic distractions. The better compasses provide very accurate readings.

Some watches include a direction finding device, an altimeter, and a chronograph. The altimeter measures altitude and when used in tandem with a direction finding device a person can determine her position better than if she used a GPS device. Make sure to buy a timing device with the latest version altimeter.

A chronograph is another name for a stopwatch which can be used to keep track of the time it takes to complete a hike up a mountain pass or used to keep track of the time it takes to boil an egg. There are digital chronographs and analog chronographs available on today's time pieces. Some believe that the digital chronographs are easier to read whereas others prefer the classic appearance of the analog model.

Some time pieces include not only compasses, altimeter, and chronograph, but also include a barometer. The barometer reads the pressure of the atmosphere and is used to predict weather patterns. People who track weather changes will need to use a barometer and having a barometer on one's watch is a convenient way to do weather research. In days of old barometers were large devices that had to remain nailed to a wall but now they can be carried around on the wrist.

Watches with compass, barometer, altimeter, and chronograph makes traveling, weather tracking, and altitude checking, convenient, simple, and easy. People who travel in unfamiliar and new cities can use direction finders to find important landmarks. Travelers should not leave home without this convenient wrist watch which will help them find their way back home every time.