Garmin vs Strava calorie count

[IBarrett]

on my ride today my Garmin tells me I used 2752 calories and Strava says I used 4831 calories.
With such a massive discrepancy which one do I believe?

My other stats were
4hr 15 mins riding
62 miles
Avg speed 14.56
Ascent 1798 Mts
Descent 1770 Mts

 

[screenman]

If you want to lose weight use the lowest one.

 

[vickster]

Both are a guesstimate, 30 calls per mile isnt a bad rule of thumb, maybe 40 if v hilly, v overweight or pro speeds or a combination thereof

On that basis, Garmin is closer to reality

 

[fossyant]

Neither....

 

[ianrauk]

they are all guestimates.

 

[doog]

mapmyride comes out with something different as well

 

[Joffey]

Garmin always gives me a higher figure than Strava. I use the lowest.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Neither, they're made up numbers

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Both are complete guesses.

 

[tobykenobi]

Would go along with the "guestimate" theory. I am surprised the guesses vary as much, however. I uses Endomondo and Microsoft Health. The Microsoft Band tracks heart-rate and the app knows my age, weight, etc, so probably has more to go on when producing the estimate. If I manually enter the heart rate average and peak into the Endomondo workout the figure is then near the Microsoft one.

Doesn't mean it is right!

 

[IBarrett]

Thanks for the feedback.
I'm surprised to hear both are complete guesses.
Both have my age and weight and both get the HRM results so I find it odd they are so vastly different.

I think I'll split the difference and use that as a guideline.

 

[vickster]

Go with the lower figure if weight loss is your aim, and adjust eating accordingly
If weight loss isn't your aim, it doesn't matter what calorie guesstimate you use

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Thanks for the feedback.
I'm surprised to hear both are complete guesses.
Both have my age and weight and both get the HRM results so I find it odd they are so vastly different.

I think I'll split the difference and use that as a guideline.

The heart doesn't know if you're doing 25mph on a bike, on a handcycle, lapping Brands Hatch on a Yamaha R1 or deadlifting in the gym.

It simply responds to demand making calories from HR a guesstimate

 

[Sixmile]

I'm always a little disappointed that when I do the same long climbs solo and then on another day with the trailer on the back with 2 kids in it and all their gear, that it still reads the same calories burnt. The first one is and the latter is . There should be a 'with trailer/heavy load' option on Strava!

 

[vickster]

Just goes to prove there is little to no correlation between gadget counts and reality