Adrian Muresan

Thank you all for your amazing feedback!!
This makes me very happy

I made this device because I had to map a bushy land, by my own (no help...), and I had to do it fast (limited time...).
So I measured 100 points distributed on the land, in 30 minutes, to get a feeling about the land slopes - actually it was a flat land so initially I had no idea where the land was sloping.
The accuracy was enough for me to check where the water was flowing, to be able to determine an irrigation pond location.

The measurement precision is limited to ±0.1 meters, relative to the initial (calibration)  position (this is a barometric altimeter so this is the maximum achievable precision for practical measurements in real conditions - outdoors).
If a better precision is needed, use water level / laser level / builders level etc.
If less precision is enough (1-2 meters) - internet maps can be found.
The device will have a switch for selecting meters or inches measurement.
Target price for the assembled modules around 100$.

I made a short movie with some measurements (indoor for now...):


So, this is a simple fast measurement for medium resolution of 0.1 meters. Does such a device make sense?

Thanks
https://precisionaltimeter.wixsite.com/mysite

I have placed the elevation measurement devices on some regular photo tripod / mono-pod:

So, I would like to kindly ask again for your feedback: is my idea worth it? Or should I drop it?
Thanks
https://precisionaltimeter.wixsite.com/mysite

Indeed high winds are not the best for barometric measurements. The measurements on the prototype looks quite stable but I think high winds should be avoided...
I will use a tripod for the calibration unit and a monopod for the display unit - so I will attach brackets with 1/4" nuts to the units that can be screwed directly to the tripod and monopod. It will be more accurate. Also will look good. And simple enough. I will update and make a video - when I find some more time.

I am trying to get potential feedback - to find a potential business model for these elevation meters.
As this is a niche product, intended for designers or surveyors, I think I cannot finance an assembly line - thru a crowdfunding campaign.
I could maybe finance finalizing the design and sourcing of all the manufactured components.

But than the only option I see is to find interested partners willing to perform the soldering and assembly - so to have a partners database, in different countries...
I could provide them the fully manufactured kit.
Please, advise your thought.

As a first impression mounting a kit would require about 4 hours of labor (for these two units) - so multiplied with an hourly rate, depending on the country...
The unmounted kit would have a target cost of below 100$ - but I have to double check if this is possible - as it uses Arduino, Adafruit and Hope electronic modules.

Mike thank you for your great feedback.

Indeed two units are needed to sync the continuous atmospheric pressure changes, every 15 seconds. This complicates the system as two modules are needed - so double the components.
But the reference unit gives also the 0 point - so this can be helpful when finding the level for a swale for example.

Indeed this would be a tool for designers. But maybe at some point, we will all have to contribute and ramp up the reforestation - make a swale and plant some trees below. I don't know... for now we live on petrol and most of the public just does not care... maybe they never will care...

The data logger function indeed looks complicated to interface to other tools. I would not complicate my device with a GPS locator, as those are available already as standalone devices. I try to keep it simple - have a map on paper and mark the elevation points on it. The development effort may be too great with data logger...

What about delivering in the form of a kit - with no soldering required? Just hand assemblies, IKEA style (mounting a PCB with screws on a housing, screwing on the antenna, attaching a cable connector). Would this be an option for a user? The advantage is that - it can be always repaired by the user...

I could make the initial calibration ("0-ing" of the two devices) on a photo tripod. After that the display unit can be held for example at the hip level by the operator that makes the surveying. I noticed that carrying a pole in a bushy area can be difficult. What do you think?

Thank you!

Hello all,

I am Adrian from Romania, a Permaculture enthusiast, and this is my first post on this lovely forum.

I had to survey a piece of land - well, full of bushes.
So lacking other solutions I made a prototype for a surveying device which made the task really easy - just like a walk about the land, one person operation.
It has the maximum precision for a barometric altimeter of +/-0.1 meters. It has a stationary unit which is the refference unit and one display unit for reading the elevations - these two units can be up to 80 meters away from each other.



I would like to get your feedback if you think it would worth to make this prototype into a series product:
   would you need such a product?
   would you need the data logger function?
   would you want this product as a kit or as a fully assembled product, but costing more?
   would you consider supporting a crowdfunding campaign for industrializing this product?

Please check my site for further details:
https://precisionaltimeter.wixsite.com/mysite

Thank you so much in advance for your feedback, either good or bad, I will take it as a present.