Why have a barometric altimeter?

Quite simply, the primary reason you would want a barometric altimeter in a handheld GPS is for more accurate elevation readings. This is especially useful for bikers, hikers and atheletes in training. You can use the resulting data to track your progress and maintain an accurate record of your trips. A barometric altimeter can also help you accurately place your location on a topo map.

Furthermore, you can use the altimeter to forecast weather trends. A falling barometer can indicate worsening weather. See the barometer section of this review for some really cool things you can do with your GPS!

GPS-based altitude error is generally worse than latitude/longitude error. A good explanation of why barometric altimeters are better than GPS-based elevation data comes from GPSInformation.net. Here is another good resource -- an electronic compass and barometric altimeter FAQ from Garmin.

Finally, a barometric altimeter is often paired with an electronic compass in higher end handheld GPS receivers.

Related post:

• Why have an electronic compass?

Comments

[Keith]

Thanks for this post. I was wondering this question a few weeks ago. (I searched your site for some info, but this is really what I was after. I knew that if I just waited patiently, you'd get to it eventually!;)

So its all to do with geometry. Glad I got that altimeter watch when it was on sale then.

k

[Rich Owings]

Thanks Keith. There are a LOT of posts that I want to get around to eventually! What I should have added in this post is how much I LOVE my altimeter. When I'm biking I only have two fields showing on the map screen. One of them is always elevation.

[Glen Arseneault]

Hi, Would you know which auto gps systems have a barometric altimeter? I know the magellan model 4210 has one but not sure which other models offer that option. Thank you

[Rich Owings]

I've never heard of an auto GPS with a barometric altimeter, and I don't see it listed in the 4210's specs. Why would you want this on an auto GPS?