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Elevation Data when Paddling

Former Member
Former Member
I'm using my Garmin 310XT for our outrigger canoe team practices. When I upload the workout data to Garmin Connect I get elevation fluctuations showing on a graph. Is that because the GPS is getting information from the depth of the water that we are practicing on?
  • I don't know whether the 310xt uses barometric or GPS for elevation readings, but both will have errors. The GPS calculated elevation will usually be the most variable from moment to moment. The barometric elevation will be a relatively smooth variation based on the changing atmospheric pressure during the period of use. 1 inch of mercury is a 1000 feet elevation change. The standard GPS we use easily has 30 foot errors from atmospheric, terrain and even you standing near it.

    As for exactly what causes the errors in GC, I can't say. I've never seen a definitive explanation of what factors they use for that, and there is a setting that allows them to correct for known terrain elevations, but again, I've never seen an explanation of exactly how that figure is calculated either. I'd think it'd be safe to say they just take the elevation from the map, but that's a guess.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago
    Hummmm...interesting post Voicereponse. So I wonder what the best approach would be with regards to elevation data for paddlers? Can the elevation field be shut off? I guess I could just ignore the elevation graph posted in Garmin Connect but it is a bit distracting to see those height gains and drops on a paddling workout summary.
  • There is a button to collapse the graph and the data in GC so it doesn't display. Don't know if that holds over from session to session.
  • it is a bit distracting to see those height gains and drops on a paddling workout summary.


    Outrigger canoe practices, changes in elevation. I have the closing sequence and the theme song and for the original Hawaii 5.0 TV series going through my head. Aloha.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBk0BwzatHU

    I used to be a competitive rower and I remember a particularly wavy practice session where my coach "sang" the theme through his bullhorn while we were pulling up the river.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago
    Outrigger canoe practices, changes in elevation. I have the closing sequence and the theme song and for the original Hawaii 5.0 TV series going through my head. Aloha.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBk0BwzatHU

    I used to be a competitive rower and I remember a particularly wavy practice session where my coach "sang" the theme through his bullhorn while we were pulling up the river.


    Well you had me laughing out loud at that image of your coach singing that theme sound through his bullhorn!

    Those are some huge paddles the dudes in the Hawaii 5-0 video are using...must've been from way back in the day.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago
    There is a button to collapse the graph and the data in GC so it doesn't display. Don't know if that holds over from session to session.


    Good suggestion - that's worth a try. I've collapsed them and will monitor to see if they stay that way.

    thanks