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Reviews > Electronic Devices > Watches > HighGear Axio Max Mulitfunction Watch > Test Report by Ryan Lane Christensen
 courtesy of highgear.com
ACCESS MAIN REPORT SECTIONS VIA THESE LINKS:
INITIAL REPORTJuly 8, 2010
Product Information:
The information below came from Highgear's user's manual and website.
The Highgear Axio Max, hereafter referred to as "Axio or watch" is a high-tech digital multi-function unisex wristwatch. The model I am testing has a stainless steel case and a resin band. The Axio comes with a mineral glass lens, EL backlight, and is water resistant to 50 meters static pressure (5 ATM / 5 bar); which means it should be okay for swimming, etc. It also has a user-replaceable battery. There are five stainless steel buttons; three on the left side and two on the right side (as shown in the photo below left). The MODE button (bottom left) toggles between the six modes (TIME, COMPASS, ALTIMETER-BAROMETER, CHRONOGRAPH, DATA, ALARM; displays shown in photo below right). The LIGHT button (middle left) engages the backlight. The ADJUST button (top left) enters mode settings. The VIEW/- button (bottom right) changes display in TIME and ALTI-BARO modes, saves information in CHRON and DATA modes, recalls the compass in COMP mode, and decreases setting values. The RECALL/+ button (top right) toggles between zones in the TIME mode, toggles between units in ALTI-BARO mode, displays next data point in DATA mode, recalls the compass in COMP mode, and increases setting values.  
On the back of the watch, there is a slot in which to insert a coin, etc. to remove the hatch and access the battery. Furthermore, the Highgear logo, "Axio Max", "Made in PRC", "CR2032 Battery", "50M Water Resistant", "Swiss Made Pressure Sensor", the same arrow and bearings on the watch face are debossed in the back of the watch. The Axio came with two instruction/owners manuals written in nine languages: English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, German, Italian, Dutch and Swedish. Along with general instructions, the instruction/owners manuals contain the following cautions:
The two paperback instruction/owners manuals are approximately 3.5 in (8.9 cm) square and just shy of 0.5 in (1.3 cm) thick. The print inside is small and the instructions appear to be very concise. Based on my casual review, I initially felt that the instructions might be too succinct for my liking. As I proceed to set the various modes and use the watch per the instructions, I will comment as to whether I find the instructions to be sufficient.
 
FIELD REPORTSeptember 14, 2010
I also wore it on a week-long Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Venturing High Adventure, which included backpacking/hiking/fishing in the Popo Agie Wilderness in the Shoshone National Forest on the east side of the continental divide in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. We entered The Winds via the Worthen Meadows Trailhead. At 8,840 ft (2,694 m) above sea level, the Worthen Meadows trailhead is approximately 13 mi (21 km) from Lander, Wyoming. Over the course of the week, we covered approximately 50 mi (80 km), with trail elevations up to 11,000 ft (2,694 m). Temperatures ranged from highs in the low 90's F (32 - 35 C) to lows in the upper 40's F (4 - 7 C) according to the watch. Skies ranged from clear to cloudy with rain sprinkles a couple of times. I carried a 50 lb (23 kg) pack at the start of the trip and wore the watch the entire time, except when washing off in the river and sleeping.
Shortly after posting my Initial Report, I proceeded with setting the altimeter and calibrating the compass. Setting the altimeter was extremely easy: I simply followed the instructions: press the "MODE" button until "ALT 1" appeared, then pressed and held the "ADJUST" button for three seconds and then entered my local elevation; simple as that. I did not attempt to adjust Sea-Level or Absolute barometric readings. I just do not know enough about this to feel comfortable. This is where I wish the instructions in the manual were more helpful. Calibrating the compass was not as simple as setting the altimeter, at least for me. I pressed the "MODE" button until "COMP" appeared, then followed the instructions: pressed and held the "ADJUST" button for three seconds to begin calibration, held watch perpendicular to my chest and on a level plane, rotated slowly clockwise twice. However, I got the "CALIB FAIL" error message. So, I repeated the process seven more times before getting it right. I'm sure it was Operator Error on my part, but it was quite frustrating to say the least. The basic functions have worked without any problems. The time keeping of the watch and chronograph has been very accurate. The backlight works great in the dark. When outside, the altimeter and thermometer have been very accurate as well. On my trip to the Wind River Range, I had to reset the altimeter, as the altitude was significantly different from that shown on my hand-held GPS unit when we arrived at the trailhead. This was no surprise as we spent four plus hours in an air-conditioned Suburban getting to the trailhead. Once reset, the altitude shown on the Axio was very consistent with that shown on my hand-held GPS; usually differing by no more that a few feet. The compass was very consistent with that of my hand-held GPS as well. Although I forgot the manual, I was able to figure out how to set the various alarms. I used daily alarm #1 to wake in the morning. The alarm was loud enough to wake me early each morning. I also used the rest and hydration alarms. However, I did not use the altitude alarm--I simply did not think about it. But, it is easy enough to set. Nearly every day the weather icons changed from sunny or partly cloudy to indicate rain. Although the clouds looked quite ominous at times, we only had two brief sprinkles of rain the entire week. We did not have a lot of rain, but the barometer and weather forecast icons seemed to work as intended. I did not use the data function; I will do so however in the next phase of the test. While in The Winds, I wore the watch six consecutive days for nearly eighteen hours a day. The case, crystal, and band remain in excellent condition; no scratches or other significant wear even after being slightly exposed to 100% DEET bug repellent. The buttons continue to operate smoothly as well.
LONG TERM REPORTNovember 9, 2010
In mid-October, I hiked in Hell's Half Acre National Landmark. The elevation is approximately 5,300 ft (1,615 m) above sea level. The temperature was in the 50s F (10 - 15 C), winds were calm, the sky was overcast and there was a slight rain on one of the hikes. Hell's Half Acre is a 66,000 acres (267 km2) lava field and is the youngest of the eastern basaltic lava fields of the Snake River Plain of southeastern Idaho. The lava rock is extremely sharp, glassy and fragmented, with open cracks, lava tubes and caves. Hiking in Hell's Half Acre is a unique and somewhat surreal experience.
Not having worn the watch for some time, when I donned it for my hike in Hell's Half Acre, I noticed the altimeter needed to be recalibrated. I did so without difficulty. I am certain it is me, but I continue to struggle with calibrating the compass. I thought over time, I would get the hang of it, but it takes me several attempts to succeed. Had it not been for Daylight Savings Time ending on Sunday November 7th, I would have had no need to adjust the time even once during this test series. The watch has kept perfect time. The alarms continue to work well; I wake every morning to the Axio's daily alarm. I tested the hydration alarm on my hike in Hell's Half Acre--it worked perfectly. The weather icon has worked well throughout the test series. Although it indicated rain numerous times, I never experienced more than a sprinkle--but that is okay with me. The thermometer has performed equally well. When wearing it around town, I have checked it against the temperatures shown on various illuminated signs. In order to compare the Axio against the signs, I removed the watch from my wrist so my body temperature would not affect the reading. After allowing a little time for the Axio to adjust, it was within a degree each and every time. The case, face, and band have held up well. There are no noticeable signs of wear. The battery remains strong. The watch is comfortable to wear. This concludes my Axio Max multi-function watch Test Series. I am very pleased with its performance and will continue to use this timepiece on my future outdoor adventures. Thanks to HIGHGEAR and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to participate in this test. Read more reviews of Highgear gear Read more gear reviews by Ryan Lane Christensen Reviews > Electronic Devices > Watches > HighGear Axio Max Mulitfunction Watch > Test Report by Ryan Lane Christensen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After receiving the watch, I wore it to work and around town on several different occasions.