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Elevation Accuracy of Outdoor and Fitness Devices

Barometric Altimeter Accuracy

With proper calibration, the barometric altimeter of a Garmin watch or outdoor handheld will report elevation readings ranging from -2,000 to 30,000 feet with an accuracy of +/-10 feet. Elevation values greater than 30,000 feet can be generated, but may not be accurate due to environmental factors.

NOTE: Garmin fitness and outdoor products are designed as recreational GPS devices to be used as aids in navigation. They should not be used for any activity requiring precise measurements, such as surveying or weather prediction.

Compatible Outdoor Handhelds

  • Alpha® 100 | Alpha® 10

  • Alpha® 200 | Alpha® 200i

  • Alpha® 300 | Alpha® 300i

  • Astro® 220 | Astro® 320 | Astro® 430 | Astro® 900

  • Colorado® 300

  • Colorado® 400c | Colorado® 400i | Colorado® 400t

  • Dakota® 20

  • eTrex® 30 | eTrex® 30x |eTrex® 32x

  • eTrex® Summit | eTrex® Summit HC

  • eTrex® Touch 25 | eTrex® Touch 35 | eTrex® Touch 35t

  • eTrex® Vista | eTrex® Vista C |eTrex® Vista CX | eTrex® Vista H | eTrex® Vista HCx

  • Foretrex® 401 |Foretrex® 601 | Foretrex® 801

  • Foretrex® 701 Ballistic Edition | Foretrex® 901 Ballistic Edition

  • Geko™ 301

  • GPSMAP® 276Cx

  • GPSMAP® 62s |GPSMAP® 62sc | GPSMAP® 62st |GPSMAP® 62stc

  • GPSMAP® 64csx | GPSMAP® 64s |GPSMAP® 64st |GPSMAP® 64sx

  • GPSMAP® 65s

  • GPSMAP® 66 | GPSMAP® 66i |GPSMAP® 66s | GPSMAP® 66s | GPSMAP® 66sr | GPSMAP® 66st

  • GPSMAP® 67 | GPSMAP® 67i

  • GPSMAP® 76CS |GPSMAP® 76CS | GPSMAP® 76CSx |GPSMAP® 76S

  • GPSMAP® 78s | GPSMAP® 78sc

  • Montana® 600 outdoor handheld and all other models in the Montana® 600 series

  • Montana® 700 outdoor handheld and all other models in the Montana® 700 series

  • Monterra®

  • Oregon® 300

  • Oregon® 400c | Oregon® 400t

  • Oregon® 450 | Oregon® 450t

  • Oregon® 550

  • Oregon® 600 | Oregon® 600t

  • Oregon® 650 | Oregon® 650t

  • Oregon® 700

  • Oregon® 750 | Oregon® 750t

  • Rino® 530 | Rino® 530HCx

  • Rino® 650 | Rino® 650t | Rino® 655t

  • Rino® 750 | Rino® 755t

Compatible Watches

  • D2™ Air | D2™ Air X10

  • Descent™ G1 | Descent™ G1 Solar

  • Descent™ Mk1

  • Descent™ Mk2 | Descent™ Mk2S | Descent™ Mk2i

  • epix™

  • epix™ (gen 2) Standard Edition | epix™ (gen 2) Porche Edition | epix™ (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition

  • fēnix® 3 | fēnix® 3 HR | fēnix® 3 Sapphire

  • fēnix® 5 Standard Edition watch and all other models in the fēnix 5 series

  • fēnix® 6 Standard Edition watch and all other models in the fēnix 6 series

  • fēnix® 7 Standard Edition watch and all other models in the fēnix 7 series

  • fēnix® 7 Pro Solar Edition watch and all other models in the fēnix 7 series

  • Forerunner® 255 | Forerunner® 255 Music | Forerunner® 255S | Forerunner® 255S Music

  • Forerunner® 265 | Forerunner® 265S

  • Forerunner® 645 | Forerunner® 645 Music

  • Forerunner® 745 

  • Forerunner® 910 XT

  • Forerunner® 920 XT

  • Forerunner® 935

  • Forerunner® 945 | Forerunner® 945 LTE

  • Forerunner® 955 | Forerunner® 955 Solar

  • Forerunner® 965

  • Instinct® – Standard Edition | Instinct® – Esports Edition | Instinct® – Tactical Edition

  • Instinct® Solar – Camo Edition | Instinct® Solar – Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2 Standard Edition watch and all other models in the Instinct 2 series

  • Instinct® 2 Solar watch and all other models in the Instinct 2 Solar series

  • MARQ® Adventurer and all other models in the MARQ collection

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) and all other models in the MARQ (Gen 2) collection

  • tactix® Bravo | tactix® Charlie

  • tactix® Delta – Sapphire Edition | tactix® Delta - Solar Edition | tactix® Solar Edition with Ballistics

  • tactix® 7 Standard Edition | tactix® 7 Pro Edition | tactix® 7 Pro Ballistics Edition

  • Venu®

  • Venu® 2 | Venu® 2S

  • Venu® 2 Plus

  • Venu® 3 | Venu® 3S

  • vívoactive® HR

  • vívoactive® 3 | vívoactive® 3 Music

  • vívoactive® 4 | vívoactive® 4S

  • vívomove® HR

  • vívomove® 3 | vívomove® 3S

  • vívomove® Luxe | vívomove® Style | vívomove® Trend

  • vívosmart® HR watch | vívosmart® HR+

  • vívosmart® 3

  • vívosmart® 4

  • vívosmart® 5

  • vívosport®

Factors Affecting Barometric Altimeter Accuracy

Changes in Weather or Air Pressure

Fluctuations in weather produce the most significant changes in air pressure. For example, when a storm is moving in, the sudden drop in air pressure may simulate the effects of moving to a higher elevation. Similarly, changes in air pressure occur when moving from indoors to outdoors and vice versa, particularly when moving in and out of climate-controlled buildings.

Changes in Ambient Air Temperature

Since barometric altimeters are not temperature-compensated, changes in ambient air temperature can affect altimeter accuracy. If drastic changes in ambient temperature are experienced, calibrating the altimeter will restore accuracy.

Calibration Method

For greatest accuracy, calibration should be performed frequently using a known elevation; calibration by GPS cannot guarantee accuracy within +/-10 feet. Refer to the owner's manual for instructions on calibrating the barometric altimeter on your specific device.

Accuracy of GPS Elevation

Elevation calibrated by GPS is accurate to +/-400 feet with a strong GPS signal. Elevation is determined by the device acquiring a GPS signal, while maps will provide elevation information based on survey data. GPS elevation readings may be different than elevations on maps or marked on trails and roads.

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