These days (and probably forever going forward) altimeter watches either use GPS or barometric pressure to figure out your altitude.
Barometric pressure altimeter watches, as their name implies, use air pressure to determine elevation. Most altimeter watches are barometric altimeter watches, because the technology is self contained and does not depend on communication with any external source. GPS altimeter watches communicate geographic position with a satellite in the earth's atmosphere and return altitude based on map datum. A GPS enabled altimeter watch does not need to be re-calibrated and is generally more accurate than a barometric pressure altimeter watch.
GPS enabled altimeter watches are the latest and greatest thing in watch technology. From a technical perspective, the way they work are quite simple. The altimeter watch communicates with a satellite to give latitude and longitude. The satellite also communicates altitude based on map datum. The benefits of a GPS enabled altimeter watch are obvious - accuracy and co calibration. Some of the best GPS enabled altimeter watches are the Garmin Forerunner series and the Suunto Military Series - the X9i and the X10.
The market is filled with altimeter watches that use barometric pressure to calculate altitude. Thus, the accuracy (and by default, quality) of the altimeter watch is determined by the quality of the internal barometer. All barometer altimeter watches use a calculation that is a function of the barometric pressure to determine elevation. Because of this, altimeter watch accuracy is significantly influenced by changing weather conditions (remember, barometric pressure decreases as rain approaches). Be sure when spending significant time outside, and especially at the beginning of your outdoor activity, to calibrate and re-calibrate frequently.
Now that we have reviewed how GPS and barometric pressure altimeter watches function - the obvious next question is cost. While the price points for altimeter watches are varied, generally GPS enabled altimeter watches are more expensive that barometric pressure watches. That said, it is not as simple as either GPS or barometric pressure to determine cost. Manufacturing quality, feature set, and brand also can influence the price point.
Barometric pressure altimeter watches, as their name implies, use air pressure to determine elevation. Most altimeter watches are barometric altimeter watches, because the technology is self contained and does not depend on communication with any external source. GPS altimeter watches communicate geographic position with a satellite in the earth's atmosphere and return altitude based on map datum. A GPS enabled altimeter watch does not need to be re-calibrated and is generally more accurate than a barometric pressure altimeter watch.
GPS enabled altimeter watches are the latest and greatest thing in watch technology. From a technical perspective, the way they work are quite simple. The altimeter watch communicates with a satellite to give latitude and longitude. The satellite also communicates altitude based on map datum. The benefits of a GPS enabled altimeter watch are obvious - accuracy and co calibration. Some of the best GPS enabled altimeter watches are the Garmin Forerunner series and the Suunto Military Series - the X9i and the X10.
The market is filled with altimeter watches that use barometric pressure to calculate altitude. Thus, the accuracy (and by default, quality) of the altimeter watch is determined by the quality of the internal barometer. All barometer altimeter watches use a calculation that is a function of the barometric pressure to determine elevation. Because of this, altimeter watch accuracy is significantly influenced by changing weather conditions (remember, barometric pressure decreases as rain approaches). Be sure when spending significant time outside, and especially at the beginning of your outdoor activity, to calibrate and re-calibrate frequently.
Now that we have reviewed how GPS and barometric pressure altimeter watches function - the obvious next question is cost. While the price points for altimeter watches are varied, generally GPS enabled altimeter watches are more expensive that barometric pressure watches. That said, it is not as simple as either GPS or barometric pressure to determine cost. Manufacturing quality, feature set, and brand also can influence the price point.
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Learn more about the types of altimeter watches by visiting Eddie Birdhouse's site and learning about your altimeter watch needs.
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