The Huawei Watch Ultimate is designed to handle various outdoor activities, including hiking and climbing at high elevations, thanks to its robust GPS system. It uses dual-band GPS for enhanced accuracy, which is beneficial in environments where signal strength might be weak, such as high-altitude areas. However, like many GPS-enabled devices, it may still face challenges when the signal is weak or obstructed.
Handling GPS Signal Loss
1. Dual-Band GPS: The watch's dual-band GPS technology helps improve signal reception by using both L1 and L5 frequencies. This can enhance accuracy and stability, even in challenging environments like high elevations where satellite signals might be weaker due to atmospheric interference or obstruction by terrain.
2. Expedition Mode: This mode is specifically designed for outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing. It allows users to mark waypoints, track their route, and monitor vital statistics like altitude, heart rate, and SpO2 levels. While Expedition Mode does not inherently mitigate GPS signal loss, it provides tools to help navigate when the GPS signal is weak, such as a compass and manual waypoint marking.
3. Altitude Measurement: The watch uses a barometer to estimate altitude, which can be less accurate than GPS-based altitude measurements. However, this method can still provide useful data when GPS signals are weak. Users can calibrate the altitude feature by performing an outdoor workout in an open area for more than five minutes to improve accuracy[6].
4. Battery Life: The Huawei Watch Ultimate offers impressive battery life, lasting up to two weeks under normal conditions. This means users can rely on the watch for extended periods without needing to recharge, even if they are in areas with poor GPS signal strength[1][4].
Limitations and Considerations
- Temporary Waypoint Data: The watch can save temporary GPS waypoints during an expedition, but these points disappear once the expedition is ended. This means users need to manually record or export these points if they want to retain them for future reference[3].
- Satellite Connectivity: In some regions, like China, the Huawei Watch Ultimate offers satellite connectivity, which could potentially aid in maintaining communication and navigation in areas with no cellular coverage. However, this feature is not available globally[9].
In summary, while the Huawei Watch Ultimate is well-equipped to handle GPS tracking at high elevations, it may still face challenges with signal loss. Users can rely on its robust dual-band GPS, Expedition Mode features, and barometer-based altitude measurements to navigate challenging environments. However, it's essential to be aware of the limitations, such as temporary waypoint data and the lack of global satellite connectivity.
Citations:
[1] https://www.techradar.com/reviews/huawei-watch-ultimate
[2] https://www.techradar.com/opinion/apple-watch-ultra-cant-scale-the-heights-of-huawei-watch-ultimates-hiking-mode
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Huawei/comments/12pipxf/huawei_watch_ultimate_a_little_problem_on_the_gps/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnZpJ4fHlEk
[5] https://www.galaxus.at/en/page/the-huawei-watch-ultimate-is-designed-to-meet-even-the-most-extreme-requirements-27071
[6] https://consumer.huawei.com/ca/support/content/en-us15985951/
[7] https://www.todays-golfer.com/features/equipment-features/huawei-are-expanding-their-golf-watch-collection-with-a-new-colourway-and-strap/
[8] https://consumer.huawei.com/za/community/details/Huawei-Watch-Ultimate-Review-All-You-Need-To-Know-About-The-Terminator/topicId_260903/
[9] https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/huawei-watch-ultimate-review_id5760