Zeratul Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 Hi. Maybe a silly question but when I eventually get the opportunity to purchase my kit and start flying around, do people get by in just using their phone to inform altitude? (Currently in middle of training with PMC) I’m really asking as I was about to get the iPhone SE which DOES’NT have a barometer and so not giving an accurate altitude apparently. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 These are brilliant..... https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/583825 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeratul Posted February 11, 2018 Author Share Posted February 11, 2018 Thanks Andy. Yes, looks good - and maybe after I’ve recovered from the hit from paying for the wing and motor. I’d probably aim for a wrist watch type ‘gadget’ - but was hoping to use my phone in the early hours of my flying time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonhunny Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 (edited) I always use an old android phone, many different apps that show altitude quite accurately. I have also tested them walking up & down steps & found the accuracy is more than adequate (I keep my main phone in my pocket to preserve battery life in case of out landing) Edited February 12, 2018 by simonhunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cianpars Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I saw Simon with an iPhone strapped to his left arm I think. I have a Galaxy J5 but intending to upgrade to a S7 which has a pressure sensor. These things are very good, but I think thwy can drain the batteries a bit, so need a full charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurff Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I have an old SAmsung and I use my iphone. However, when it gets really cold both shutdown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeratul Posted February 13, 2018 Author Share Posted February 13, 2018 Thanks all. Thats a good point about draining the battery, I hadn't thought of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cianpars Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 (edited) With my J5 I can carry a spare battery, but a lot of newer models have inbuilt batteries. You can always ensure the phone is fully charged or charge it in the car on your way to the field. Plus you can always use a charging pack. Edited February 13, 2018 by cianpars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCA Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 I use an app on my IPhone GPS altimeter you can see in the video I went to 6000ft it worked great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cianpars Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Is that 6000 ft AMSL, QNH or QFE? Can you set the pressure on these things? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCA Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 6000 ft above sea level it was in Florida USA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin (Simon W) Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 On 26/02/2018 at 14:09, cianpars said: Is that 6000 ft AMSL, QNH or QFE? Can you set the pressure on these things? Basically, no you can't. SW 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gornall Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 I have flyskyhy on my iPhone which records everything, but as a "newbie" myself i did not want to be letting go of the brakes every few mins to see what my height was, so I bought a Fairhaven Micro Alti. Not sure on the rules on advertising on here so won't say where I got it other that to say my instructor got it for me. They are a around £118 I think. Its a great bit of kit, simple to use, I have it strapped to my wrist so I can see it at all times. Although I did have to buy a longer velcro strap to go over my winter suit. but that was only 3 quid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 On 26/02/2018 at 14:09, cianpars said: Is that 6000 ft AMSL, QNH or QFE? Can you set the pressure on these things? You don't need to set pressure when using the phone apps.....as they don't use pressure. They calculate position using the satellite GPS signals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cianpars Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 2 minutes ago, AndyB said: You don't need to set pressure when using the phone apps.....as they don't use pressure. They calculate position using the satellite GPS signals. That's very useful to know Andy. My phone does not have a pressure sensor and I was expecting to have to upgrade. I was thinking of a Samsung S7, so if you are correct, then you have just saved me the cost of a new phone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cianpars Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 10 minutes ago, Neil Gornall said: I have flyskyhy on my iPhone which records everything, but as a "newbie" myself i did not want to be letting go of the brakes every few mins to see what my height was, so I bought a Fairhaven Micro Alti. Not sure on the rules on advertising on here so won't say where I got it other that to say my instructor got it for me. They are a around £118 I think. Its a great bit of kit, simple to use, I have it strapped to my wrist so I can see it at all times. Although I did have to buy a longer velcro strap to go over my winter suit. but that was only 3 quid. I have seen people with their phone strapped to their inner forearm, which makes it visable all of the time. I suppose a flight deck, whether bought or home made is another possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hann__ Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) Flyskyhy is great, everything you need is on there - i have the airspace extension, too. Height above sea level via GPS signal rather than barometer pressure is the way it operates, very accurate, also has height over ground - when i fly over the sea they both read the same then over ground the height changes instantly as i fly over the beach. I fix mine to the Bulldog bars with a microphone stand iphone holder like this; https://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_iphone_clamp.htm Edited May 24, 2019 by Hann__ 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin (Simon W) Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 The iphone uses a Barometer as well as GPS just to you know SW 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cianpars Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 I use Android phone rather than Apple and flyskyhigh is not available. I suspect that the Android flightdeck/dashboard apps may use the barometer/pressure sensor though. I shall have to look into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 http://gpsinformation.net/main/altitude.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cianpars Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 12 minutes ago, AndyB said: http://gpsinformation.net/main/altitude.htm Thanks Andy, that is most helpful. Seems reliable enough for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeratul Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 1 hour ago, admin (Simon W) said: The iphone uses a Barometer as well as GPS just to you know SW Unfortunately the latest iPhone SE doesn’t have the barometer. It was one of the things they cut back on. So just gps for altitude - which I was under the impression was less accurate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin (Simon W) Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Very much less accurate. I will be keeping the iPhone 5,6 and 7 then I guess. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hann__ Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 2 hours ago, admin (Simon W) said: The iphone uses a Barometer as well as GPS just to you know SW Mine doesn`t it`s an iPhone 4s! (a hand-me-down from offspring number 1....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin (Simon W) Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 They started putting them in with the 5 time for an upgrade!! SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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