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Tundracamper
02-06-2017, 22:01
Even though there are a few Bluetooth temperature and barometer sensors that are lightweight and clip onto your backpack, most seem to be specific to GPS watches (e.g. Fenix 3). I'm wondering why there aren't more options for iOS. These are all I have found. Anyone have a better option or know of something that actually works?

Tempi at http://mytempi.com/#
This seems to be what I want. It starts shipping in March and there is no app in the App Store yet. Not holding my breath.

Tempo Disc at https://www.bluemaestro.com/temperature-logging-tempo-disc-bluetooth-low-energy-sensors/
Also looks interesting. Can't find any reviews or much info beyond the web site.

Patrickjd9
02-11-2017, 16:55
Pretty sure an iPhone has an internal barometric sensor. I have an altimeter app on my phone, and I don't think it relies on GPS and a database.

As for temperature. My first smart phone was a Casio that had a temperature sensor inside. It measured the inside temperature of hands, pockets, etc. very well. The environment nearby, not so much.

RangerZ
02-11-2017, 20:12
I'm looking for something better than a zipper pull thermometer. Maybe something digital but not blue tooth, any suggestions?

gbolt
02-11-2017, 21:38
Accurite Thermometer with suction cup removed and replaced with Caribiner would be my suggestion.

nsherry61
02-11-2017, 22:46
I think this tool (http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/aab/anemometers/bluetooth-airflow-environmental-anemometer-abm-200.htm?ref=gbase&gclid=Cj0KEQiAifvEBRCVx5up6Ojgr5oBEiQALHw1TkBzaRsr dZo2pbKTXHdPUvQtsTLp-6kO7ljgtIuYbwMaAljN8P8HAQ) looks pretty nifty.

I did a bunch of research on these things a little over a year ago, and this was, by far, the best of the gadgets out there of the kind.

It has a pressure sensor, so depending on how the data is managed, it could certainly be a barometric altimeter as well.

Here (http://www.weatherflow.com/products/), I found the original source of these weather tools. http://www.weatherflow.com/products/

alborg2
02-12-2017, 01:49
<div>Most of the digital thermometers have multiple issues: &nbsp;Inaccurate, poor battery life, not waterproof, dead pixels on the lcd screen, etc.. &nbsp;I've used one of these, and while it is accurate, battery life is poor and I find that it's easily turned on accidentally in my pack: &nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/zthuns6</div><div><br></div><div>I just came across this Kestrel until that looks promising, although it's only for IOS: https://tinyurl.com/zawy7ns</div>

Tundracamper
02-12-2017, 09:14
I think this tool (http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/aab/anemometers/bluetooth-airflow-environmental-anemometer-abm-200.htm?ref=gbase&gclid=Cj0KEQiAifvEBRCVx5up6Ojgr5oBEiQALHw1TkBzaRsr dZo2pbKTXHdPUvQtsTLp-6kO7ljgtIuYbwMaAljN8P8HAQ) looks pretty nifty.

I did a bunch of research on these things a little over a year ago, and this was, by far, the best of the gadgets out there of the kind.

It has a pressure sensor, so depending on how the data is managed, it could certainly be a barometric altimeter as well.

Here (http://www.weatherflow.com/products/), I found the original source of these weather tools. http://www.weatherflow.com/products/

I saw that earlier, but did not realize it also measured temperature. Quite interesting. I take it you have to hold it to use it, unlike the Garmin Tempi or myTempi, which operate all the time but require waiting for a broadcast on the software. I say that because the Bluetooth WearherFlow states

"Auto power off 30 seconds after closing or minimizing app or no connection."

To me, that says it doesn't work well as a remote sensor. Still, it is an interesting option.

Tundracamper
02-12-2017, 09:42
Looking more into the WeatherFlow, I came across this...

https://kestrelmeters.com/products/kestrel-drop

Not cheap, but it seems promising. Received a BackPacker award.

nsherry61
02-12-2017, 10:13
. . . "Auto power off 30 seconds after closing or minimizing app or no connection."

To me, that says it doesn't work well as a remote sensor. Still, it is an interesting option.
I haven't used one, but, my understanding is quite the opposite, that it is specifically designed to work as a quality remote sensor with up to 500 hrs of run-time between battery changes and transmission of Bluetooth signal up to 100 feet, way more than I would need for back-country weather monitoring while I'm standing in it.

Tundracamper
02-12-2017, 15:56
I haven't used one, but, my understanding is quite the opposite, that it is specifically designed to work as a quality remote sensor with up to 500 hrs of run-time between battery changes and transmission of Bluetooth signal up to 100 feet, way more than I would need for back-country weather monitoring while I'm standing in it.

It does look like you can setup the App to run in the background and continue to take readings at various intervals (e.g. 30s, 45s, etc). That would require a continuous bluetooth connection that would drain the phone battery. Something like a logger would record the data autonomously and then allow you to download it later. Of course, that comes at an additional cost.

Slo-go'en
02-12-2017, 16:41
Banggood (all things Chinese) sells a temp/pressure measurement module which could be connected to an Arduino board and a Wi-Fi module (all for about $10) but that would take some electronics and programming skills to implement. Could make for an interesting project though. Add a humidity sensor and you'd have a little weather forecasting system.