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Handling of elevation data within Garmin Connect platform

Hi there,

being a long time user of Garmin Vista HCx and etrex 30, I recently upgraded myself to GPSMAP 66 and edge 1030. My "workflow" used to be .gpx files stored locally on my computer and transferring these using USB mass storage connection to the etrex. Whilst trying the Garmin Connect platform, I noticed issues in the handling of elevation data that is contained in tracks. I searched the forum and googled, but did not find references. Has somebody come across the following issue, or is this a known issue?

.gpx Tracks imported into Garmin Connect (Training - Course - Import, Elev. Corrections disabled) do show a total elevation gain and loss that differs from the .gpx file, but are still in a plausible range. When downloaded as .fit or sent to the device, total elevation gain is way off.

I tried to narrow the issue down by performing the following steps:

1 .gpx file of an mountainbike tour recorded on my etrex 30. Based on longtime usage and comparison of the elevation data with Vista HCx, Polar V800 and tour books, I do have confidence in the readings
file opened in QLandkarteGT, a mapping software I use for years: 88.08 km, 5347 data points, total elevation gain 2116m, total elevation loss 2104m

2. imported as activity into Garmin Connect (Training - Course - Import, Elev. Corrections disabled)
Stats show 88.08 km, total elevation gain 2068m, total elevation loss 2056m
(note: when Elev. Corrections enabled, total elevation gain 2431m, total elevation loss 2431m)

3. when downloaded from the activity page (Export original, Export to TCX, Export to GPX) all tracks show the distance, No. of datapoints and total elevation gain / loss of the original file

4. save as course, type: Mountain Biking
stats show the total elevation gain / loss we saw before during the import, depending whether Elev. Corrections is enabled or not.

5. download the course
Training - Course - Download (GPX) gives a .gpx file without elevation information. Should be addressed separately by Garmin, but is not the key issue here

Training - Course - Download (FIT) gives a .fit file, that I converted using gpsbabel 1.5.4. The resulting .gpx shows
88.08 km, 4003 data points, total elevation gain 6213m, total elevation loss 6200m
which is obviously way off.

6. send course to edge 1030
course overview shows a total elevation gain / loss of approx. 5300m, the .fit file copied from the device, converted using gpsbabel shows
88.08 km, 4003 data points, total elevation gain 6213m, total elevation loss 6200m
which is pretty much identical of the file received in the previous step

Interestingly, the shape of both track from step 5 and 6 seems to remain intact, eg. elevation of individual points is still plausible.However: when zooming into the elevation profile, the reason for the way off indications becomes visual: the original .gpx shows a very smooth profile, whilst the data received from Garmin Connect adds a significant "jitter". This jitter simply adds up tot a total, that is way off.

I added screenshots of elevation profile of the original track, downloaded .fit file without and with enabled elevation correction. The segment from the track is the same (km 60), I tried to give the same scaling of the y axis.

Would appreciate feedback or to provide further information of needed.

Regards,
Robert ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1439164.png ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1439165.png ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1439166.png

0 RobertMUC over 6 years ago

Over the past weeks, I tried reaching Garmin via email and via Chat. The emails still remain unanswered, the chat conversations were... brief. If the support member replied at all, it was either some thing like 'needs to be handled by your local Garmin representative, as access to the device will be required' and an immediate hanging up or a complete lack of interest in the subject as today

Antonio has entered the session.

me: .gpx Tracks imported into Garmin Connect (Training - Course - Import, Elev. Corrections disabled) do show a total elevation gain and loss that differs from the .gpx file, but are still in a plausible range. When downloaded as .fit or sent to the device, total elevation gain is way off. please see for details: https://forums.garmin.com/forum/into-sports/garmin-connect/troubleshooting/1439163-handling-of-elevation-data-within-garmin-connect-platform

me: Hi Antonio, please check my forum post for the detailed description of the problem

Antonio: Thank you for contacting Garmin.

Antonio: Where is this gpx file coming from?

me: this gpx file is from an Garmin etrex 30, proofen for years

Antonio: You will have to contact Handle outdoors..

Antonio: @ 800-8001020..

me: stop. I am explicitly addressing handling of the data in GC

me: it is no way related to the device that generates or uses the gpx data

me: please see my forum post

Antonio: I understand, but I'm in fitness department.

me: arent you supporting garmin connect?

Antonio: Outdoors and fitness devices function a bit differently, when reading files..

me: that may be, but the files get corrupted by GC, not by the devices

Antonio: And I know nothing about Etrex .30..

me: I import a perfectly fine file into GC, and the export is corrupted

me: can you please refer me to your supervisor, I do not see any progress in this conversation

...and away he went

Hey Garmin, you can do better!

0 lj50 over 6 years ago

Garmin's customer service and product support are embarrasingly contemptuous of its customers. For a business to do something as complicated as making such great hardware but to fail on the basics of customer support, continually, is quite remarkable.

Like you, I've tried to escalate issues that aren't dealt with and had similar responses. When I asked for escalation details I was told "no", I've had chats ended and people just being outright rude and dismissive. I can't recommend Garmin products purely as a result of that, which is sad because, as I say, the hardware is great. But if something goes wrong...no substance behind it.

0 kerum66 over 6 years ago

Hi RobertMUC, Have a look if it is the same issue as reported here: https://forums.garmin.com/forum/into-sports/garmin-connect/troubleshooting/1446375-details-of-older-activities-are-not-showing

0 RobertMUC over 6 years ago

Hi kerum66, I did notice that importing old activities (tried some from 2011) fails, if its a .tcx file; .gpx works fine. I cannot tell, whether the two issues are related.