Flinstone

I'm looking at upgrading from my budget bin speedometer. I'm not sure I'm ready to take the plunge to some $400 dollar do-it all garmin and I'm not even sure I'd like it better than a smart-phone based solution, so I'm considering buying sensors (haven't decided between bluetooth or ant+, phone should work with either), and maybe a rlftk.

But... my phone doesn't have a barometric altimeter. It's not a big deal, but it could be fun to have grade information in real time. So I'm wondering do any of these smart watches (preferably under $100) provide altimeter data back to the phone itself, in a non-proprietary, real-time way, basically acting as if built into the phone? I can't find clear information on it.

Of course I could just get a rfltk+ with its built in altimeter, but given mixed reviews on the whole rflkt setup anyway, well maybe I could put the difference toward a watch.

dim

does Strava not show you the elevation in realtime? (I use my Iphone for Strava and pop in in my pocket whilst riding) .... If it does, you could get phone mount on your handlebars and see elevation in realtime. If you are on a tight budget, you can get the free version of Strava

Flinstone

Yes, I think several of these software solutions make topo-map elevation determinations in real time. I don't know if that can pass through to rflkt. Even topo maps don't seem to be so perfect, but then a barometer isn't either (but over long times).

Actually I've only just started playing with them. I really have only been using a $15 walmart speedometer until now. Budget's not a problem at the level of a strava subscription. I'd kind of prefer not to put the smartphone on the bars though. I suspect it's not as visible in the sun as a rflkt, battery life won't be great (especially with screen on full brightness), and then if the bike does end up in an unusual orientation with respect the pavement, I'd have the phone to worry about too.

Looigi

Some smart phones have barometric sensors, and also can determine elevation via GPS. GPS elevation can be noisy but with the addition of Glonass satellites it's much more reliable. Many Samsung phones have these capabilities (baro and GLONASS). IDK which apps use them tho.

dr_lha

I'm aware of the mixed reviews, but I've been running the RFLKT for almost 20 months and it's been essentially flawless for me. I think a watch is an OK device for cycling, but only if you handlebar mount it. What phone do you have out of interest?

noglider 

Long ago, in a galaxy far away, a company called Avocet had a bike computer that had an altimeter built in. I just checked, at at least Cateye still offers the feature for not a lot of money ($50).

There is still a lot to be said for the simple type of bike computer. I've even gotten some good use out of $6 wired computers.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...th%20altimeter

Flinstone

Actually my walmart computer is probably closer to $6 than $15 (bought it long ago) and it's served me very well for a long time. Even if you're not a musician, you can still learn to estimate cadence pretty well too.

I appreciate the feedback, especially about the good experience with the rflkt. It seems possible that most bad experiences may be related to poor connection to the phone and possibly solvable by positioning, so maybe I should just go for the + version.

Anyway, I think I wasn't clear. The point of my question was is there a watch that can provide altitude sensor data to the phone, just as a bluetooth or cadence sensor provides cadence data to the phone. Many of these watches have altitude/barometer features, but it doesn't seem to me that they provide the capability to the phone itself.

The HopCentury on Amazon does say "add new functionality to your phone with a barometer, an altimeter, a Pedometer, a stopwatch & more ", but it kind of looks like cheap junk from the reviews, about what you'd expect for the price.

dr_lha

Even if you can find a bluetooth altimeter (they do exist according to Google), you'd be hard pressed to find a cycling app that supports it I think. An obvious alternative would be a GPS watch or Bike computer with the altimeter built in.

Flinstone

It would seem obvious to me that such things should be supported at the OS level so they appear just a like (in place of) a built-in altimeter. Otherwise it's like having a mouse that only some programs have support for, but oh well.

Seattle Forrest

No. Strava shows you a number and calls it your elevation. It's like throwing dice to learn how many calories you just burned.