i disagree. i am an avid mountaineer and a quality barometric-measuring altimeter is a great thing.

i also own a GPS unit (Garmin etrex) and for basic cycling it is not so good --- it is much larger, weighs more AND it uses a set of batteries in a day tour. also the GPS can loose signal in the mountains or forest, particularly with altitude readnig which requires a strong signal to ne accurate.

as long as you know how to use it (e.g. setting the elevation from a known point every day and being aware of effects during storms and chaging weather) my Ciclo altimeter is VERY accurate.

also, a good cycle computer w/ altimeter still costs less than half of what a GPS costs --- plus it also sums your bike milage, total vertical climbed, etc. and it stays on the bike handlebar, ready for every tour with battieries that last over a year!