Garmin 200 and Strava

[Irishrich]

I bought the Garmin 500 this week and noticed an immediate difference on the same routes I cycled previously, it now shows approx 1000ft of higher elevation over the same ride of around 60 miles. It wasn't strava but the garmin that was way out with the elevation so I now realise that the more expensive models are going to have more accurate elevation readings.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I bought the Garmin 500 this week and noticed an immediate difference on the same routes I cycled previously, it now shows approx 1000ft of higher elevation over the same ride of around 60 miles. It wasn't strava but the garmin that was way out with the elevation so I now realise that the more expensive models are going to have more accurate elevation readings.

If you had a 200, strava uses the gps plot to get elevation data, like most phones and my rider 20, higher models have a barometric reading for more accurate readings, however if you correct the data data on strava it will use the gps plots for the elevation.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I bought the Garmin 500 this week and noticed an immediate difference on the same routes I cycled previously, it now shows approx 1000ft of higher elevation over the same ride of around 60 miles. It wasn't strava but the garmin that was way out with the elevation so I now realise that the more expensive models are going to have more accurate elevation readings.

I think the 200 is only less accurate than the higher models whilst riding but once corrected in GC they should be the same.

@Nigelnaturist

Have I got that right Nigel?

 

[bpsmith]

I think the 200 is only less accurate than the higher models whilst riding but once corrected in GC they should be the same.

@Nigelnaturist

Have I got that right Nigel?

If you ride with both and corrected both then clearly the websites corrected figure will override that from the devices. The whole point of using a barometric device is Not to correct the figure. The barometric figure includes every rise along the route, whereas the website data will only be at set points. Therefore you miss all the little inclines over short areas.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

If you ride with both and corrected both then clearly the websites corrected figure will override that from the devices. The whole point of using a barometric device is Not to correct the figure. The barometric figure includes every rise along the route, whereas the website data will only be at set points. Therefore you miss all the little inclines over short areas.

How accurate are barometric sensors?

Here's why I ask. Long before GPS, which I use extensively in my mountain forays, I used to use a barometric sensor and the altitude readings had to be reset at known datum points as atmospheric pressure obviously fluctuates throughout the day.

I also have a G Shock watch that has an altitude function and that operates in a similar way.

Do the Edge's with barometric sensors have a similar compensating feature?

 

[Mo1959]

How accurate are barometric sensors?

Here's why I ask. Long before GPS, which I use extensively in my mountain forays, I used to use a barometric sensor and the altitude readings had to be reset at known datum points as atmospheric pressure obviously fluctuates throughout the day.

I also have a G Shock watch that has an altitude function and that operates in a similar way.

Do the Edge's with barometric sensors have a similar compensating feature?

https://support.garmin.com/support/...caseId={53d6ba60-e4d2-11de-d785-000000000000}
Not sure whether you just have to do this once for your home location. Maybe if you were riding in a different area, eg on holiday you could do it again for that location. As long as it is recording all the ups and downs can't say I am too bothered. Lol

 

[SpokeyDokey]

https://support.garmin.com/support/...caseId={53d6ba60-e4d2-11de-d785-000000000000}
Not sure whether you just have to do this once for your home location. Maybe if you were riding in a different area, eg on holiday you could do it again for that location. As long as it is recording all the ups and downs can't say I am too bothered. Lol

My interpretation would be that you ought to do it every time Mo as it is calibrating to the prevailing pressure at the start of any given ride

I guess that unless the weather map is packed with isobars and you are doing a long ride then any changes in pressure along the route won't make much difference.

Doesn't really matter much at all - you're still going up or down a certain amount of height regardless of what the gadget says.

Was just really wondering iabout the calibration issue - was always a bit more problematic in the mountains pre-GPS as you used altitude to at least get your position in relation to a contour on a map. Potential lifesaver!

 

[bpsmith]

How accurate are barometric sensors?

Here's why I ask. Long before GPS, which I use extensively in my mountain forays, I used to use a barometric sensor and the altitude readings had to be reset at known datum points as atmospheric pressure obviously fluctuates throughout the day.

I also have a G Shock watch that has an altitude function and that operates in a similar way.

Do the Edge's with barometric sensors have a similar compensating feature?

Similarly to the link for the 500, already posted, here is the link for the 510. No temperature adjustment is made.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@SpokeyDokey he 500 had 10 way-points you could set for know elevations, not sure on the 510, I think the 705 has 100, but I am only concerned with one or two, (as a side note, if I create a course or route, it tends to fill any spare way-points), however if you really look at these that have been recorded with the barometric readings more often than not there will be a difference between the two on a route starting and finishing in the same place, this is due to the unit cooling from room temp to ambient temp, so its a good idea to leave the unit outside to cool for as much as 20 mins, I find then the gain and loss are usually much closer. This is why I have always used corrected rwgps data, it least it gives me an idea from ride to how difficult it was.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

@SpokeyDokey he 500 had 10 way-points you could set for know elevations, not sure on the 510, I think the 705 has 100, but I am only concerned with one or two, (as a side note, if I create a course or route, it tends to fill any spare way-points), however if you really look at these that have been recorded with the barometric readings more often than not there will be a difference between the two on a route starting and finishing in the same place, this is due to the unit cooling from room temp to ambient temp, so its a good idea to leave the unit outside to cool for as much as 20 mins, I find then the gain and loss are usually much closer. This is why I have always used corrected rwgps data, it least it gives me an idea from ride to how difficult it was.

I correct mine too - end of the day I am just logging data to compare myself to myself!

I have to say the the 200 does a good job of absolute altitude measurement.

My current GPS of choice for the mountains is the little eTrex 10 (I don't want/need colour mapping etc) and it is a fantastic little unit that uses both GPS & GLONASS. It gives a very fast and accurate fix.

I mention this as I have compared my house reading on the eTrex 10 with the Edge 200 and the differential between the two is around 2-4m. The eTrex 10 looks very close to the measurement I estimate by looking at the map I use - although it is hard to work it out exactly as I use Harveys Superwalkers 1:25000 with 15m contour lines. I prefer 15m contour lines over the OS 10m ones as it declutters the map.

In short the 200 is more than adequate for my cycling needs.