Testing a precise hand-held digital barometer

A newly developed commercial hand-held digital aneroid barometer has been extensively tested to ascertain its performance characteristics. The atmospheric pressures measured with the tested barometer have a resolution of ±0.03mb. The barometer exhibits small but statistically significant time and temperature dependent pressure drifts of +3.8mb/year and +0.04mb/°C (−10°C to + 20°C), respectively. This paper describes the tests conducted with the barometer and their results. Frequent calibrations provided, this new barometer type can successfully replace older and more expensive designs of (mechanical) precision barometers in all surveying applications where precise atmospheric pressures are required.