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Hiking profile mainly for ascent/descent recording without GPS

Hi all,

I am currently using a Casio Protrek 3500 watch that is primarily meant for hiking due to its ABC sensors.

It has a trek record mode, which when activated, the watch continuously takes Altimeter readings every few minutes and in the end shows:
Max elevation
Min elevation
Total ascent
Total descent

I can record multiple such treks independently.

I plan to buy the Forerunner 935, and I was wondering if it has a similar mode (or if I can create a custom one) where I do not want GPS to be switched on, but instead just rely on the barometric sensor to continuously record the altimeter readings for the duration of the activity (may be every 10 minutes or so) so that in the end I get just the figures above. I expect that since GPS is switched off, I will get much better battery life (almost as good as in the basic watch mode) so that it suffices to record multiple such activities (one per day maybe) for a multi day hike without having to recharge? This will allow me to get all the elevation related data (and graphs) for each day separately.

Any inputs on this will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

0 manueleltoro over 7 years ago

I usually use GPS + barometric sensors when hiking. However, I have a custom activity for Tennis which is based on a treadmill activity. So, the GPS is switched off and only the accelerometer works. Looking at those activities elevation data gets recorded as well (and can only come from the barometric sensor). This could be a workaround for you, although distance calculated by the accelerometer will mostly be rubbish.

0 FernandoLordelo over 7 years ago

itsaneesh you could just disable the GPS on the "Hike" activity to achieve what you need, or even duplicate the Hike and call it something like "Hike2" or "Hike w/o GPS" and then disable the GPS in that. You won't have GPS data, but all other sensor will run as normal (alti/baro, thermometer, accelerometer, etc) and, indeed, the battery will last much longer than if GPS was set to ON.

Hope that helps!

0 itsaneesh over 7 years ago

Thanks manueleltoro and FernandoLordelo ! That is exactly what I was looking for... :)

And yes, I understandd that the distance will not be reliable with the GPS off, but that is a compromise I could be willing to make for longer multi-day hikes.

One quick question - with such an activity profile (where GPS is OFF), is it still possible to reord a 'waypoint' that will swithc on the GPS, record my current position and then switch it off? That way, I can still record improtant waypoints (like position of camp, or a fork in the route I need to remember), without contantly having the GPS on?

Thanks in advance!

0 kitenski over 7 years ago

What about using Ultra trac, should give you 50 hours of use with GPS on? from the 935 manual:

The UltraTrac feature is a GPS setting that records track points and sensor data less frequently. Enabling the UltraTrac feature increases battery life but decreases the quality of recorded activities. You should use the UltraTrac feature for activities that demand longer battery life and for which frequent sensor data updates are less important.

0 FernandoLordelo over 7 years ago

If that's what you need, I would recommend you to use the UltraTrac mode (low power GPS mode, but with lower precision, too, of course). And also carry a USB battery that will recharge your 935 to full in less than 2h (and a small battery is capable of recharging it many times).