Range Report IPhone built in barometer

[ZenBiker990]

Just discovered my iPhone 6plus has a built in barometer, and with the right app gives Absolute Pressure readings that match my Kestrel. Am I the last to find this out? Or is this where the AB app is gett ing the Absolute Pressure values it populates in the field?

 

[lash]

I think that you somewhat answered your own question. Any app for your phone that uses barometric pressure must get that reading from somewhere. No app can make that information appear out of nowhere.

That said, I myself only noticed this about 6 months ago and now use that info when doing dope work up.

 

[ZenBiker990]

It is self explanatory, no doubt. Only have time to follow some of the threads, and with the emphasis on Station Pressure, Density Altitude, Absolute Pressures, erc, I hadn't seen memtion of it up to now. Like my iPhone even more now.

 

[eicas]

How did you find this out? I use Ballistic AE, so how would I go about accessing it?

 

[lash]

How did you find this out? I use Ballistic AE, so how would I go about accessing it?

You access it most simply by downloading current atmosphere while in Ballistic in the field or at the range. Ballistic AE will use the ability in your iPhone or iPad to provide actual numbers.

If you want to actually see the information separately, you search for "barometer" or "barometer and altimeter for iPhone and iPad" and download that app.

 

[ZenBiker990]

The app I found that led me to "discover" this is called "Barograph"; it specifically mentions using a barometric sensor in the iPhone.

 

[eicas]

Thanks! Got a freebie app simply called "Barometer". Works like a charm!

 

[lash]

That's what I have too. It also has an altimeter.

 

[eicas]

How accurate is it over long term? Does it incur error? I had been using a handheld altimeter/barometer for several years. It requires calibration from time to time to remain accurate. How is the iphone unit in this regard? Dumb "older adult who prefers sticky notes and actually TALKING s opposed to texting" question... There isnt any reason I would need a reliable signal to use it is there??? (I know...dumb question.)

 

[lash]

The only one of those questions that I know the answer to is the last one. You should not need a signal to get a reading.

As to your calibration and accuracy question, I can only say that I cannot imagine that this is a precision instrument, given the platform is not truly designed specifically for this purpose. I also know that I don't sweat it if this is off by some amount, since I am using it in an application that doesn't require extremely tight numbers.

Unless the DA results are off by more than +/- 500, I consider it within the noise for most of my shooting.

 

[eicas]

It seems pretty accurate from the bit that I have used it. You're obviously correct on the DA issue as well. Guess the only way is to use it for a while and compare.

edit:

How do I assure AE is using the input? If I select the little blue "update environmentals" icon in the top right corner (looks like an inverted teardrop) how do i know its not grabbing sy an NOAA site miles away? Howdoitknow?

 

[ZenBiker990]

It seems pretty accurate from the bit that I have used it. You're obviously correct on the DA issue as well. Guess the only way is to use it for a while and compare.

edit:

How do I assure AE is using the input? If I select the little blue "update environmentals" icon in the top right corner (looks like an inverted teardrop) how do i know its not grabbing sy an NOAA site miles away? Howdoitknow?[/QUOTE l]

Set your phone the "Airplane Mode"; that should disable your data link; then try using AE. Alternately, call a buddy/wife/gf who will lwave the line open while you fiddle with AE. Either method suould temporarily disable your data link and allow you to figger out where the info is coming from.

Edit: I just tried this with AE, and it was a fail. AE queries NOAA weather stations based on your phone's location, and with my iPhone in Airplane Mode, I got a "query failed" error message. As to the accuracy of these sensors, they are actually pretty good; they are in Kestrels, Sig 2400 and other rangefinders with built-in ballistics engines. They are also inexpensive, so incorporation into electronics is "merely" a question of board space and code. I'm going to compare the iPhone readings with my Kestrel 5200 Elite and Sig 2400; we'll see how they all match up.

Edit again: tested AB and Trasol in airplane mode: AB seems to pull Station Pressure from the onboard sensor, and I know SIG does. Trasol seems to require a data connection and location.

 

[eicas]

Well it seems internal. In "Airplane Mode" and is accurate. Ive had it at altitude in an airplane and it matched the pressurized cabin readout almost to the foot. I would call it good at this point.

 

[lash]

That is good to know. Thanks to both of you.

 

[bogeybrown]

With TRASOL, my iPhone 6 can also use its internal sensors to get info for Coriolis, angle, and cant, as well as the already mentioned DA.

 

[ZenBiker990]

With TRASOL, my iPhone 6 can also use its internal sensors to get info for Coriolis, angle, and cant, as well as the already mentioned DA.

Accelerometer function.

 

[pell1203]

The free Barometer app from the Apple Store matches the reported barometric pressure put out by my Leica 1600 rangefinder to within 1-2 hPa/mbar.

Literally in the noise as this discrepancy translates to less than a +/- 50 foot difference in calculated DA. Not enough to really matter.

 

[ratton]

I use IOS App: "Air Density Meter & Density altitude calculator" It gives you Density Altitude, Altitude, Station Pressure, Altimeter setting (pressure corrected for altitude) , Humidity, Temperature, and other good stuff. Everything you need to plug into your ballistic calculator and more. I have compared it to my Kestral 4500 and the readings are almost exactly the same.

 

[eicas]

I use IOS App: "Air Density Meter & Density altitude calculator" It gives you Density Altitude, Altitude, Station Pressure, Altimeter setting (pressure corrected for altitude) , Humidity, Temperature, and other good stuff. Everything you need to plug into your ballistic calculator and more. I have compared it to my Kestral 4500 and the readings are almost exactly the same.

I downloaded this a few weeks back and paid the $2.99 or whatever it was...

It was problematic for me from the get go and has since ceased to function. I get an error code pop up. This is on an ipad/iphone. In addition, for the short period of time it DID work, it seemed to need a cellular signal to function. It didnt use the internal sensors on the Apple products.

Use at your own risk.

 

[ratton]

Sorry to hear about that. My works flawlessly and yes it indeed needs a cellular signal to function.

 

[lash]

^^^I use it for inputs into my apps.^^^

 

[eicas]

I use Barometer as well and have found it exceptionally accurate. Like stated above, it doesnt need a cell signal and is autonomous.

Being a gadget nerd, I always like to have a couple different paths to get me the same answers.

I'll mess around a bit with what ratton posted, but will more than likely delete it and move on...$2.99 poorer. Lol

 

[bobke]

Eicas
There are several apps called barometer-are you able to post pic of which you're using?

 

[lash]

Eicas
There are several apps called barometer-are you able to post pic of which you're using?

Here:

 

[bobke]

Got it. Thx.

 

[ZenBiker990]

The iOS app called Barometer will work in airplane mode. New cell, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

I tested it but haven't used it as part of my kit


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Diver, checked into/downloaded this one. According to the "Description", it pulls data from nearest weather station (provenance not given), not from phone sensors. Still, it allows manual plugin of data to calculate DA, etc.

 

[lash]

He's definitely not looking at the correct app.ZenBiker990, look up at my post #25 above. That app specifically says that it uses the barometric pressure sensor in the iPhone 6 and greater.

Oh, and like Diver said, barometric pressure doesn't affect results really that much any, in the whole scheme of things.

 

[ZenBiker990]

I don't think your looking at the correct app. Min does not have any inputs. And I am not sure how it can "pulls data from nearest weather station" when the cell, BT and wifi on the phone is set to "OFF". yet the actual pressure is displayed and changes.

Either way I use my watches - but dead nuts Baro isn't really as critical as one might think.

He's definitely not looking at the correct app.ZenBiker990, look up at my post #25 above. That app specifically says that it uses the barometric pressure sensor in the iPhone 6 and greater.

Oh, and like Diver said, barometric pressure doesn't affect results really that much any, in the whole scheme of things.

My bad, I had intended to respond to this app: “Air Density Meter....”. The “Barometer and Altimeter for iPhone” is indeed stand-alone.