Apple Watch Series 2 does measure elevation gain or altitude?

Hi, I just got my Apple Watch and just did my first "Outdoor Walk" with it and noticed that even with the phone along it does not do elevation. Do you know if this is just because it doesn't track elevation for walks but it will for cycling? If so, that seems kind of silly. If not, it would seem some functionality is not turned on for me. Hmm...

I have a 5s. I have noticed that occasionally I DO see that some of my walks have elevation, but unlike Stava it only seems to measure climbing and descending as a net effect, which is kind of silly. Elevation is never about what altitude you happen to be at when you finished your trek, that is unless maybe you just climbed K2. In any case, while a graph showing how I much I climb (and go down) in the form of a graph. If it can't do that, the total that it calculates should be the net climbing for your walk/run/whatever, and not subtract the descent.

Also, I think that it fails to track of elevation when I end up somewhere lower than where you started. It doesn't report a 0 ft climbed, it doesn't show you anything because which could mean it's not working. This feature seems like it could use some work.

You are correct; GPS does measure elevation. It is, however not very accurate compared to a dedicated barometric altimeter. This is not usually a problem as most analysis is post ride/run and the mapping data can be used to correct the figures (sometimes quite significantly).

The extra sensor comes in handy if you want to measure data such as incline % in real time accurately.

I am not satisfied with my Apple Watch GPS tracking: it is really loose and the maps drawn are really unrealistic.

Altitude can be be measured with the GPS signal therefore is only a matter of lack of implementation of the calculation from the GPS signal. I am puzzled why this is not a feature in the Apple Watch workout app.!

I think one critical missing element of Apple Watch GPS algorithm is: ELEVATION.

Elevation is crucial to calculate more precisely calories, speed/Hearth Rate and difficulty of workouts.

You can't compare a 10 km run of flat surface with a 10 km run on a hilly circuit!

I think this is basic of basic, please fix it!

If you would like to submit a feature request to Apple, then you can do so here:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

Yes, the watch/app will draw elevation data from your phone when it is within range.

I am not an expert yet. I have just been reading this forum and other web information on Apple Watch Series 2.

I ordered the Nike+ and it will not be sipped till late Oct

I'm curious where you are seeing elevation gain on your bike ride. I've done a run with the Watch and my iPhone on me and when I view my workout, I don't see elevation anywhere on the Watch or iPhone Activity App. Am I missing something?

Hi

Tap on the Route icon to view your route.

Interesting. When I go to that same view for my run, elevation is NOT shown. Everything else is the same. You think they would show elevation for both runs and bike rides, since they are getting the elevation from the GPS map route.