Vista HCx 660m altitude accuracy test

[Rhialto]

Hi,

 

We don't see them often around here but in a 2 weeks trip I came across an Altitude panel along the road showing 660m. I was curious how accurate would be my new Vista HCx. It was right on! I took a picture.

 

Sorry about the size, that's the only way to be able to read the unit display. I should have told my girlfriend to hold the unit closer to the lens... maybe next time!

 

Edited August 20, 2007 by Rhialto

[+Prime Suspect]

Hi,

 

We don't see them often around here but in a 2 weeks trip I came across an Altitude panel along the road showing 660m. I was curious how accurate would be my new Vista HCx. It was right on! I took a picture.

 

Sorry about the size, that's the only way to be able to read the unit display. I should have told my girlfriend to hold the unit closer to the lens... maybe next time!

 

Do you use automatic calibration?

[Rhialto]

No, I never calibrated it, came from factory like this. But I had in mind to do it if it was off because there are 2 calibration method where one is when you know the altiture you are at. This would have been a great occasion to do it but no need, it was right on.

[+Prime Suspect]

No, I never calibrated it, came from factory like this. But I had in mind to do it if it was off because there are 2 calibration method where one is when you know the altiture you are at. This would have been a great occasion to do it but no need, it was right on.

Then the answer is, yes, you are using automatic calibration. That's the factory default.

[QuigleyJones]

Looks to me like the elevation was 600m and changed to 660m.

[deltaf508]

Well you know with all that global warming that everyone's talking about, sea level is a lot lower nowadays'

 

[FiveNines]

 

We don't see them often around here but in a 2 weeks trip I came across an Altitude panel along the road showing 660m. I was curious how accurate would be my new Vista HCx. It was right on! I took a picture.

 

 

The elevation measurement is taken to be ground level. For your GPS to match, as it appears to be held at about 2 meters off of the ground, it should read 662 meters, no? Otherwise it's 2 meters off.

[Rhialto]

The elevation measurement is taken to be ground level. For your GPS to match, as it appears to be held at about 2 meters off of the ground, it should read 662 meters, no? Otherwise it's 2 meters off.

LOL! well, maybe maybe not.. I will have to ask those who installed it back in the days.

 

Whatever I would not complain for a 2 meters accuracy.. even more that I don't use the feature, it was just a curiosity test.

[+SUp3rFM & Cruella]

Isn't the altitude reading of a GPSr the "feature" with less accuracy?

[lewis82]

Well in this case with a barometric altimeter you can rely on it (unless you need sub-meter precision). When calculated only with the GPS system, altitude is a "feature".

[gratefulHIKE]

I think for stationary measurements, they are both quite accurate..........in bad weather I would trust a reading from the satelite signal though, due to the fluctuating barometric pressures, that's how it goesssss

[+SUp3rFM & Cruella]

Right. Thanks for clearing that up for me.