Name: Above Ground
Rating: 3.7 (6 reviews)
Author: simonletts

WARNING: The app is intended only as an in-flight aid and should not be used as a primary information source. If the app contains a barometric altimeter, it will not function in a pressurized aircraft and should not be used in a pressurized aircraft

This widget aims to give you an idea of your current height above a known starting point. It’s based on my Simply Altitude widget (https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/a62e9023-0f2e-42c1-80e2-0cb12df2b6d1) but allows you to zero the displayed value to give a height Above Ground Level.

In Altitude Mode the widget works in the same way as Simply Altitude. It just reads and displays the device's current altimeter value.

In Height Mode it subtracts a base height from the altitude reading and displays the difference. The base height is the altimeter reading when you reset Height Mode. The widget reads and remembers the altitude at that point, which has the effect of zeroing the displayed height.

The widget shows a title, “Altitude” or “Height”, to indicate which mode it’s in. There is also a subtitle that you can change to your own label from the app settings page in Garmin Express or one of the Connect mobile apps.

On most watches you switch between modes by pressing Menu. This is a long press on the relevant button, or on the screen of a vívoactive® 3 series watch. This also zeroes the displayed height each time you enter Height Mode. It means you cannot switch between modes without resetting the height to zero.

On 5-button touch screen watches you can switch between modes without a base height reset by pressing the up (middle left) button. You reset the base height as above, by pressing Menu (long press on the up button.) This will always reset the base and show height mode whichever mode you were in before.

Select updates the widget display. Select is chosen by tapping the screen on a touch screen device or by pressing the start/stop (top right) button on other devices.

The display is in metres or feet according to your settings. You can change the units by changing the system settings. On touch screen watches you can also switch between units by pressing the start/stop button. The watch displays either the same as or the opposite of the system settings. The watch remembers your choice next time you start the widget.

You can choose to have the widget auto-update the display. Use the app settings page to enable this and choose the refresh period. The default is to update every 10 seconds. Be aware, this might affect battery life.

The widget also shows the current time. You can disable this display from the settings page.

It is vital to ensure your device's altimeter is calibrated and working before using the widget. Some devices can be manually calibrated and some are automatic based on GPS.

The widget was created for my personal use – it's shared for anyone who would like to try it.
 
Icon design by Skyclick  (https://www.flaticon.com/authors/skyclick) from https://www.flaticon.com.

The widget has been tested on my vívoactive® HR, an epix (Gen 2) and other watches in the simulator. It’s also been partially tested on a vívoactive® 3. Please contact me if you have any problems, comments or requests. Don't forget to include your email address if you would like a reply.