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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 at any given point. Elevation values greater than 30,000 feet can be generated, but may not be accurate due to environmental factors. 

If your watch is set to show elevation data on the watch face, keep in mind that that the data shown will update in intervals and not real time. For more details, see: When Does Information on my Watch Face Update?

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

  • D2™ Mach 1 | D2™ Mach 1 Pro

  • Descent™ G1 | Descent™ G1 Solar | Descent™ G1 Solar - Ocean Edition

  • Descent™ Mk1

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

  • Descent™ Mk3 | Descent™ Mk3i 

  • Enduro™

  • Enduro™ 2

  • Enduro™ 3

  • epix™

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

  • epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - Standard Edition | epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - Sapphire Edition

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

  • fēnix® 5S Plus | fēnix® 5 Plus | fēnix® 5X Plus

  • fēnix® 6 - Standard Edition | fēnix® 6 - Solar Edition | fēnix® 6 - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6 - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 6S - Standard Edition | fēnix® 6S - Solar Edition | fēnix® 6S - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6S - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 6X - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7 - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7 - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7S - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7S - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7X - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7 Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7S Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7X Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 8 - AMOLED Edition | fēnix® 8 - Solar Edition

  • fēnix® E

  • Forerunner® 165 | Forerunner® 165 Music

  • 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 - Standard Edition | Instinct® Solar - Camo Edition |Instinct® Solar - Surf Edition | Instinct® Solar - Tactical Edition

  • Instinct® 2 - Standard Edition | Instinct® 2 - Camo Edition | Instinct® 2 - Surf Edition | Instinct® 2 - dēzl Edition

  • Instinct® 2S - Standard Edition | Instinct® 2S - Camo Edition | Instinct® 2S - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2 Solar | Instinct® 2 Solar - Tactical Edition | Instinct® 2 Solar - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2S Solar | Instinct® 2S Solar - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2X Solar | Instinct® 2X Solar - Tactical Edition

  • MARQ® Adventurer | MARQ® Athlete | MARQ® Aviator | MARQ® Captain | MARQ® Commander | MARQ® Driver | MARQ® Expedition | MARQ® Golfer

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) | MARQ® Aviator (Gen 2) | MARQ® Captain (Gen 2) | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2)

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) - Damascus Steel Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Performance Edition | MARQ® Commander (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition

  • quatix® 6 | quatix® 6 Titanium | quatix® 6X Solar

  • quatix® 7 - Standard Edition | quatix® 7 - Sapphire Edition | quatix® 7X - Solar Edition | quatix® 7 Pro

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

  • tactix® Bravo

  • tactix® Charlie

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

  • 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 at any given point 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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