Montana 7x0 Elevation Tracking Issues

[QuintinusNdidi]

Hey everyone! I’ve been using the Garmin Montana 7x0 for my off-road hiking and trail mapping adventures, and while I love the tool for its reliability and durability, I've been encountering some unexpected issues—mainly with how it tracks elevation. I’m curious to know if anyone else has noticed the same thing and if there’s any advice or insights you could share.

To give a bit of background, I rely on the Montana 7x0 for hiking and mountain exploration, especially on trails that aren’t always marked. Overall, the mapping accuracy has been impressive, and I find the interface responsive and user-friendly. However, when it comes to elevation data, there are times when the readings feel a bit off. For instance, I’ve noticed sudden changes in elevation on the device when the actual terrain is relatively level, and sometimes the opposite—where a steep incline doesn’t seem accurately represented in the elevation numbers.

It’s not a consistent issue, but it’s enough that I’m starting to wonder if it’s due to something specific to the Montana 7x0 or just my settings. One thing I’ve tried to do is recalibrate the compass and adjust GPS settings, but that hasn’t completely resolved it. I’ve also noticed that if I check the compass screen immediately after a big elevation change, it seems like the numbers “catch up” but don’t always reflect real-time data accurately. To confirm my elevation, I often double-check with a paper map, and the discrepancies, though small, are noticeable.

One idea I had (inspired positively, of course!) is to focus on the specific spots where these changes happen. It could be related to some feature of the terrain that confuses the GPS. I wonder if anyone has encountered elevation reading issues in specific types of terrain like valleys or ridges? I’d love to know if someone has found a workaround or if it’s just something to work around with my Garmin tool.

To give a bit of context on elevation: it’s essentially the height above sea level of a particular point. Having accurate elevation tracking can be essential for outdoor activities, as it helps you gauge trail difficulty, monitor your pace, and even manage physical exertion. Devices like the Montana 7x0 measure elevation using a combination of GPS data and, at times, barometric pressure. But, occasionally, weather conditions or specific landscape features can disrupt these readings. Some users also track your current elevation with an online tool as a secondary reference to compare against their Garmin data, which I might start doing if these discrepancies keep popping up.

I’m also curious if anyone has found screen settings or display configurations that make elevation tracking more accurate or reliable. Since I depend on my GPS a lot for navigating difficult routes, I’d really appreciate any tips, shared experiences, or advice from other Montana 7x0 users on how to address this minor but puzzling elevation issue. Thanks in advance!

[Przekątny]

Devices like the Montana 7x0 measure elevation using a combination of GPS data and, at times, barometric pressure.

As you wrote, Montana 700 indicates elevation based on GPS data and barometric pressure, to use data based on barometric pressure, activity recording should be enabled, and altimeter calibration settings are also important.

If you can, write which data you are reading, elevation or GPS elevation. The "elevation" value comes from the barometric altimeter, the "GPS elevation" value is determined based on GPS data. GPS elevation readings may be subject to interference due to the difficult GPS signal reception, the readings from the barometric pressure sensor do not fluctuate significantly.

[truckinguy]

Elevation just can't be tracked or accurate like over the ground mileage etc. It's just the way it is. Google for that kind of information and you'll learn why.

What we do is start up the 700 just before the trailhead for a few minutes then reset the trip data. Elevation will reset as well. Then we just let it run all day in a shirt pocket or pouch on the front of a pack.

[GPSrChive]

What are your device settings in Setup > Altimeter?

[truckinguy]

Sorry I just saw this post. It's just the default from garmin. Altimeter "on" Auto Calibration "once" Barometer Mode "Variable Elevation" Pressure trending "Save When Power On" Plot typ "Elevation/distance"