Slope Inclinometers Advice

Does anyone have a favorite slope inclinometer they use while touring?

My wife and I have this and it seems to work pretty well. It doesn't take too long to be able to eyeball slopes but you might need to re calibrate your eyes every so often.

freshalpineline.com/2017/02/16/pole-clinometer-review/

There are a number of apps for the iPhone, some free some not. I imagine for android as well. The latest iPhone update includes an app called "measure" that has a level built into it, which as works as a simple slope angle indicator.

My wife and I have this and it seems to work pretty well.  It doesn't take too long to be able to eyeball slopes but you might need to re calibrate your eyes every so often.

freshalpineline.com/2017/02/16/pole-clinometer-review/

The Fresh Alpine Line article is very thorough and useful, thanks. A few buddies have those stickers and use them to eyeball angles from a side profile while skinning up. The details about how to estimate angle from directly above and below are useful.

Bruce Tremper, in Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain writes about the grave inaccuracies of the sticker inclinometers though. He seemed to recommend phone applications but did not cite a particular preferred application. It's good to hear that this tool has been helpful for you. I'll have to read the Fresh Alpine Article and gain a better understanding of how to use thee sticker.

There are a number of apps for the iPhone, some free some not. I imagine for android as well. The latest iPhone update includes an app called "measure" that has a level built into it, which as works as a simple slope angle indicator.   

I recently noticed the measure and level application on the iphone but have not tested them outdoors. I have tried the BCA application that has a slope angle indicator but end up finding seemingly inaccurate results. Is there a particular application that you have experience with? Thanks

I've got one of the bubble slope metes that has a snow crystal grid on back - I think it's a BCA (Back Country Access) - about $20 - works just fine. I also have a small one that comes on a key ring, I keep it clipped on my backpack - only a few dollars and works fine. Honestly, I mostly eyeball it.

I highly recommend the iPhone app "Steve's Badass Avalanche Inclinometer"...it's the best one I've come across by a long shot and designed for snow work. It gives angle, aspect, elevation, and GPS coordinates all on the same screen and has big fonts and a lockable inclinometer...this last feature is great for accuracy and when sighting down a slope. It costs $3.99 I think.

I have a Suunto compass with a built in clinometer that I find to be very useful, multipurpose, and no concerns about batteries in the cold.

SUUNTO MC-2

I use the compass app on my phone, which has a slope meter. It is easy to read, but it is a pain to use because I have to fish it out, turn it on, find the app... Takes too long. I also use my compass with a clinometer. If I happen to have it around my neck, it is handy, but cumbersome to read (for me). I think having something that is always out or at least handy increases use. I tried to make a mini inclinometer to attach to my pole. Never got past the wood prototype. After reading the article that bwalt posted, I think I'm going to get a sticker. Probably won't work on a whippet, but usually when I'm carrying whippets I'm less worried about avalanche and more worried about firm snow.