Altimeters on a cellphone? watch?

Homeslice · 01-07-2009, 02:28 AM

Anyone know about altimeters? What is the most accurate way to calculate it ---- using GPS, or by measuring the atmospheric pressure?

And I know lots of watches have an altimeter, and of course GPS devices can do it, but are there any cellphones that have it?

Dave · 01-07-2009, 04:49 AM

probably gps or find a survey point. the barometric pressure can work but you need to know the density altitude. if you are near a small airport the local FBO could help you out

bmblebee · 01-07-2009, 09:40 AM

most altimeters are barometers that measure atmospheric pressure...and changes in weather can make you think you are higher/lower than you really are.

Take a look at this watch...

Casio (PAG50-1V) Pathfinder Triple Sensor Tough Solar Watch

iPhone 3G has GPS hardware built in, so it will support altimeter applications...like this one...

www.apptism.com/apps/altimeter

Rider · 01-07-2009, 09:44 AM

You need to receive 4 satellite to get altitude. GPS is the only accurate way. Barometric pressure varies by the air temperature. It will get you close, but not as close as GPS. I don't know of any phones that give you altitude, but if that's what you want, get a cheap handheld GPS for under a $100.

Particle Man · 01-07-2009, 09:53 AM

I think I read somewhere that there's an app being developed for the iPhone... not sure how accurate it would be

Rider · 01-07-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Particle Man

I think I read somewhere that there's an app being developed for the iPhone... not sure how accurate it would be

You cant just have an app. You need the correct hardware built into the IPone to receive the data.. ie GPS receiver.

Krabill · 01-07-2009, 11:13 AM

Actually, barometric pressure is more accurate than gps for elevation measurements. You need to know what the local baro pressure is when you're taking a reading, but it is definately more accurate. A typical gps can only get you within a few hundred feet accuracy for elevation. A barometer type device will be dead nuts.

Some gps's (like the Garmin Csx60) have a barometric altimeter included. You still have to manually input your local pressure, but it has one.

Krabill · 01-07-2009, 11:28 AM

There's also this option - http://www.thealtimeterstore.com/wat...FSJIagod-Wc-Cg

Rider · 01-07-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krabill

Actually, barometric pressure is more accurate than gps for elevation measurements. You need to know what the local baro pressure is when you're taking a reading, but it is definately more accurate. A typical gps can only get you within a few hundred feet accuracy for elevation. A barometer type device will be dead nuts.

Some gps's (like the Garmin Csx60) have a barometric altimeter included. You still have to manually input your local pressure, but it has one.

Bullshit. I work in the aerospace navigation industry and I can tell you GPS is dead nuts accurate. It has to be. I see aircraft do Cat III precison approaches using GPS. That is a full autopilot landing so your altitude must be dead on or you die.

Homeslice · 01-07-2009, 12:44 PM

Well I don't want to input the local pressure every time I want a reading........Would you have to do that every day? Screw that, I guess GPS is it then.

01-07-2009, 02:28 AM	#1
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	Altimeters on a cellphone? watch? Anyone know about altimeters? What is the most accurate way to calculate it ---- using GPS, or by measuring the atmospheric pressure? And I know lots of watches have an altimeter, and of course GPS devices can do it, but are there any cellphones that have it?

01-07-2009, 04:49 AM	#2
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	probably gps or find a survey point. the barometric pressure can work but you need to know the density altitude. if you are near a small airport the local FBO could help you out __________________ TWF Post whore #6

01-07-2009, 09:40 AM	#3
bmblebee Community Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tallahassee Moto: '04 F4i Posts: 373	most altimeters are barometers that measure atmospheric pressure...and changes in weather can make you think you are higher/lower than you really are. Take a look at this watch... Casio (PAG50-1V) Pathfinder Triple Sensor Tough Solar Watch iPhone 3G has GPS hardware built in, so it will support altimeter applications...like this one... www.apptism.com/apps/altimeter __________________ Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store and not a government agency If You Don't Know What Your Rights are...You Won't Have Any Last edited by bmblebee; 01-07-2009 at 09:45 AM..

01-07-2009, 09:53 AM	#5
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	I think I read somewhere that there's an app being developed for the iPhone... not sure how accurate it would be __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

01-07-2009, 09:44 AM	#4
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	You need to receive 4 satellite to get altitude. GPS is the only accurate way. Barometric pressure varies by the air temperature. It will get you close, but not as close as GPS. I don't know of any phones that give you altitude, but if that's what you want, get a cheap handheld GPS for under a $100.

01-07-2009, 11:13 AM	#7
Krabill WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Moto: 08 WR250R, 12 XTZ1200 Posts: 558	Actually, barometric pressure is more accurate than gps for elevation measurements. You need to know what the local baro pressure is when you're taking a reading, but it is definately more accurate. A typical gps can only get you within a few hundred feet accuracy for elevation. A barometer type device will be dead nuts. Some gps's (like the Garmin Csx60) have a barometric altimeter included. You still have to manually input your local pressure, but it has one.

01-07-2009, 11:28 AM	#8
Krabill WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Moto: 08 WR250R, 12 XTZ1200 Posts: 558	There's also this option - http://www.thealtimeterstore.com/wat...FSJIagod-Wc-Cg

01-07-2009, 12:44 PM	#10
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	Well I don't want to input the local pressure every time I want a reading........Would you have to do that every day? Screw that, I guess GPS is it then.