can GPS do hill elevations?

jacksonpt · 05-25-2005, 06:28 AM

I assume most decent GPS units have an altimiter built in, no? Can they spit out hill profiles like this, or would I need some type of additional software?

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WATRD · 05-25-2005, 06:51 AM

Most GPS units can do what you are seeking when combined with the correct software.

Here's the profile from the "Fall Colors" run last year;

cubuff4runner · 05-25-2005, 07:36 AM

As Rob said with the proper software most newer GPS can track altitude and map it; however, the accuracy can greatly differ depending on the unit. Most cheaper GPS's will calculate you elevation the same way they calculate you location by triangulating information from numerous satelites. More expensive models will typically have an altimeter built into them to provide more accuracy. For mapping trails you really don't need a few foot accuracy on you altitude IMO.

jacksonpt · 05-25-2005, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubuff4runner

Most cheaper GPS's will calculate you elevation the same way they calculate you location by triangulating information from numerous satelites. More expensive models will typically have an altimeter built into them to provide more accuracy. For mapping trails you really don't need a few foot accuracy on you altitude IMO.

Ah, that's good to know. I want it to map out bicycling routes, including distance and elevation change... so accuracy is pretty important. I don't need it to be within 1' accurate, but I do need it to be within, say, 10' of acurate.

Jeffires · 05-25-2005, 09:00 AM

I think that on a GPS without the altimeter, the elevation is the least accurate reading. It seems to me that speed and location are near perfect, but to get a very accurate elevation reading, a GPS with a "sensing" altimeter is needed. I purchased the Garmin GPS 60CS because it included a few more features (altimeter) than the 60C.

4x4Lamm · 05-25-2005, 01:43 PM

Etrex summit can do that.

Lamm

jacksonpt · 05-26-2005, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4Lamm

Etrex summit can do that.

yea, that's the one I was looking at.

Plus, with a name like Summit, it had better be able to do that kind of thing, and it had better have a true altimeter built in.

05-25-2005, 06:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
WATRD Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Duvall, WA Posts: 5,109	Most GPS units can do what you are seeking when combined with the correct software. Here's the profile from the "Fall Colors" run last year; __________________ -Rob Slightly Modified 2001 Tacoma - WATRD.COM WATTORA is becoming NWToys! Tread Lightly! certified Tread Trainer Search 100+ Toyota tech sites, including this one: Toyota Tech Search

05-25-2005, 07:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
cubuff4runner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,023	As Rob said with the proper software most newer GPS can track altitude and map it; however, the accuracy can greatly differ depending on the unit. Most cheaper GPS's will calculate you elevation the same way they calculate you location by triangulating information from numerous satelites. More expensive models will typically have an altimeter built into them to provide more accuracy. For mapping trails you really don't need a few foot accuracy on you altitude IMO. __________________ 96' 4Runner SAS - 87 Waggy 44 Aussie Locker & Alloy Shafts, 63" Chevy Rear Leaf Conversion, Inchworm Dual Crawler, PSC Hydro Assist, FROR Full Floater Rockfrogs Pics

05-25-2005, 09:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jeffires Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 682	I think that on a GPS without the altimeter, the elevation is the least accurate reading. It seems to me that speed and location are near perfect, but to get a very accurate elevation reading, a GPS with a "sensing" altimeter is needed. I purchased the Garmin GPS 60CS because it included a few more features (altimeter) than the 60C. __________________ -Jeff- '91 4WD P/U 3VZE A340H , 197K K&N air ] Optima ] Flex-a-Lite fan ] FloPro exhaust ] ISR Mod ] Warn M8000 ] Powertrax lockers ] Swaybar Discos ] KC Lighting ] Premier MP3 - Pioneer highs/mids - RF DVC 12/ RF 360a² ] Garmin GPSMap60C Photo Album MySpace La Nouvelle-Orléans 'da Ragin Cajun

05-25-2005, 01:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
4x4Lamm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2,573	Etrex summit can do that. Lamm __________________ -1992 4Runner SR5, Destroyed by fire. Lots of mods. I will miss it. -1995 4Runner SR5 Limited, Also known as the money pit. Becoming a trail rig now. -2004 Tacoma SR5 TRD, My new daily driver. I love this truck!

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