Live Elevation Data (including changes during run/walk) on Fitbit device

 The Surge has this super-fancy barometric altimeter, as well as GPS. This feature is only available on the most top-end navigation devices, yet we don't have access to elevation data. Let's see it!

 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject and updated label

134 Comments
cchen280
Jogger
I use iPhone to track My hiking route. iPhone has GPS and barometer, and it can show altitude in real time in many apps with high accuracy.. why can't you show elevation and pressure for our hike? It's very useful for recording hiking
Sfnewbee
Recovery Runner

Please add ALTITUDE to the fitbit screens.  It's really the only thing fitbits don't do.  Just got a new Charge 2 and love it but am really disappointed I can not see elevation Gain & Lost.   Really simple addition that goes A LONG way with atheletes.  

 

Should be able to display in feet OR floors!  Anyone that is curious about their altitude certainly is not going to want to see it in "FLOORS".  

 

Please add altitude to the watch and app.  Please. Please. Please. 

 

Moderator Edit: Added Labels

Rich_Laue
Community Legend

Someone mentioned that this would be good in measureing your altitude while in a plane. This wont work because most planes are pressurized keeping the air pressure rather constant and equivalent to a very low altitude.

forestfine
First Steps

So how about it Fitbit. You have had multiple requests for this. I am sure it is just a matter of tweaking your code as all the other pieces are in place. How about responding to your user's suggestions and requests to make your products more usefull or you just might find yourself like many technology companies - left out in the cold by others who bring better products to the market.

 

Thanks

fredrick00
First Steps

The fitbits, particularly the higher end units, are wrist-mounted power-houses of data gathering on our activities.  It would be great if this data were made available for use for the activities.
  An open API with phone-based software would allow a fitbit to act as an altimeter for a paraglider, with all the bells and whistles a standard $500 paraglider altimeter has..
  Assuming future models are fully water-proof, a depth guage could allow fitbits to function as dive watches.  An on-watch app could log and display a dive plan, sound appropriate alarms, and log all data available during the dive for later viewing.  (Heart rate may be difficult to gather in the water, but for interested users, I'm sure an after-market sleeve could be devised which would keep the fitbit in a reliable environment to track heart rate)
   An open API would also allow people to design snow-boarding routes where someone can create a map, and your fitbit + your phone could route users, and warn them of hazards upcoming.  The user could then look back on the route they traveled, see their elevation changes and heart rate data all together, and be able to add notes regarding remarkable aspects of the route.
   The same could apply for anything, including theme parks, zoo's and aquariums and the like.

niconyc
Base Runner

Hey guys -

 

I do a lot of vertical and would really like to be able to see on my device (charge 2, which has a nice big screen) what the live elevation gain is during my exercise activity is.  I don't really care how many steps I've taken during the activity is, maybe make that screen optional and replaceable with the GPS elevation gain?  I like how it is summarized at the end of the activity but would be great if it were included as a live update during the activity (like distance, etc.)  

 

Thanks! 

Rhydim
Jogger

Please  Please. Please. I use the gps function when hiking and mountain biking. Why can't I see altitude and changes along the route as part of my data? At a minimum. Please. 
Any thing you do would be appreciated. Thank you. 

Asza
First Steps

I'm sorry to say that I'm a little bit disappointed, that my Fitbit surge does not display the altitude. Judging by the fact, that it has a built-in gps, you could expect, that it would be capable of doing that. Must I remind that altitude readings give vital information, especially when you run or ride a bike in mountain terrain, as higher altitudes affect body performance. For my health sake I would like to be able to check the altitude at any given time. Such information is also crucial for planning your training routine.

wrist_tan
First Steps

I would like to see my elevation while hiking on the Charge 2. I know it recaps your elevation at the end, but that's a very relevant piece of information while hiking that should always be available. Thank you!

Momerath
Stepping Up

Charge 2.  Although the stair-climber feature is useful it could be much improved by offering the choice between displays of stairs climbed and altitude gained.  More mountaineers and hill walkers would probably buy the device if this was available

Mangys
Recovery Runner

it would be awesome to see how high you are from sea level on the blaze today screen. I don't mind if it has to include bringing a phone with you

csargo
Jogger

Please add exact and live GPS elevation on the Surge. I recently went to Kala Patthar and got a useless graph to show me an approximate elevation. I would like to see the actual stats, thanks! I live dat woul let me know how close I am and and exact hight would let me know how high I actually got.

Sean882
First Steps

I'd love to see the ability to view current elevation (in feet above sea level) added to any of the fitbit devices.  As someone who hikes, bikes, & skis in mountainous areas, the ability to understand my current elevation can be very helpful while navigating.  Currently I wear an old 'dumb' watch with a barometric altimeter in it for this purpose - it would be great to consolidate to one device.  

 

As a bonus, tracking elevation gained/lost (as a live display readout) during a workout would be really neat too. 

 

 

Moderator edit: labels

vitalyk
Recovery Runner

Activity such as hiking should have elevation as one of the stats. Grade or total elevation gain/drop would be great too.

Rich_Laue
Community Legend

Currently elevation gains are summarized at the end of the event, and displayed later on the web iw4ith the map.  Fitbit does not record descents.

Status changed to: Reviewed By Moderator
MarlenS
Premium User
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @branning and commenters, thanks for your suggestion.

We're always working to streamline our offerings as we introduce new products. Although it has been a very popular product for us, we will soon stop selling Fitbit Surge. If you're looking for a new device, we recommend considering Ionic. Ionic is a motivating timepiece packed with fitness guidance, health insights, music storage, apps, and more. You can learn more about Ionic at https://www.fitbit.com/ionicor compare the Fitbit family of products at https://www.fitbit.com/compare.

Please note that we’ll continue to support Surge from a software standpoint, along with any questions you might have during your use of the product. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope we can continue to provide you with Fitbit devices you love and help you reach your goals.

I think your suggestion is a good one, so I took the liberty of changing the label and title so that it is applicable to future products and exercise developments.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feedback with us.

Status changed to: Reviewed By Moderator
YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @KevinMc and commenters, thanks for your suggestion.

We're always working to streamline our offerings as we introduce new products. Although it has been a very popular product for us, we will soon stop selling Fitbit Surge. If you're looking for a new device, we recommend considering Ionic. Ionic is a motivating timepiece packed with fitness guidance, health insights, music storage, apps, and more. You can learn more about Ionic at https://www.fitbit.com/ionicor compare the Fitbit family of products at https://www.fitbit.com/compare.

Please note that we’ll continue to support Surge from a software standpoint, along with any questions you might have during your use of the product. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope we can continue to provide you with Fitbit devices you love and help you reach your goals.

I think your suggestion is a good one, so I took the liberty of changing the label and title so that it is applicable to future products and exercise developments.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feedback with us.

R3NA
Jogger
Will the Ionic offer this function??
marklee
First Steps
This feature has been requested more than two years ago with no update.
With this poor response, and two broken wristbands, I gave up on Fitbit and
went to another device maker that does include this feature.

Mark
cchen280
Jogger

Which device do you use?

Kyle Chen (Chien-Chang Chen)

Moderator edit: personal info removed.

MaedleLori
First Steps

Please add the ability to see elevation gained and lost during activities (mostly running and biking). This is helpful during training and races. 

appelix
First Steps

Yes, I agree with bnb. Please show altitude during the hiking mode. You should be able to read this data easily from connected GPS. I really miss this feature during hikes 😞

Catosr24
Jogger

Hello, I do a lot of hiking. It is extremely helpful to track your current elevation. I hiking upwards if 16000 ft and knowing your elevation is very helpful to understand the impact in your body. Nutrition, how to maintain pace, breathing etc. I have to still use my garmin currently to keep tabs on this. Would be great to use the ionic only. 

Status changed to: New
LizFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @wrist_tan there are no plans to add this on Charge 2 currently but I'll merge this into a future product request. Thanks.

Status changed to: New
LizFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

 Hi @fredrick00 thanks for this suggestion. For now I'm going to merge it with another around altitude but I really like your snow-boarding routes with GPS to warn others of hazards - please do share this again in a new feature suggestion. We try to keep one idea per suggestion, so we can streamline and give accurate updates. Thanks

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