Yaesu VX-5R Altimeter

[W1AJO]

I have the SU-1 Altimeter for my VX-5R.  I've had it since around 2004 but never really used it.  Today I was at the beach in the Tampa FL. area and tried adjusting it.  No matter how I set the offset I could never get it to work correctly.  The readings vary widely.

I hard reset the VX-5R this moring.  At sea level the VX-5R read 25 meters.  With an offset of -25 it reads 8 meters,  With an offset of 32 it reads -11 meters then 12 meters.  I set it back to -25 and it reads 16 meters.

This thread says it's junk:

http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php?topic=48613.0

I guess I've confirmed it.  I can't find any specifications for it.  Anyone know what the accuracy is *supposed* to be?  You would think that if it is off by 25 meters the adjusted offset would bring it back in range.

[KB4QAA]

As an aviator, I wouldn't expect accuracy  closer than a few hundred feet, at best. Even the cheapest mechanical aviation altimeters cost hundreds of dollars.