What about Gradient Lag?

Question

Can anyone report if Garmin have fixed the issue that the 1030+ has with ridiculously long responses to changes in gradient?

Garmin-Matthew · Accepted Answer

Thank you for sharing your concerns about the undesirable lag in road grade. We want to share that we have a plan for an improved solution with consideration of both accuracy and responsiveness. Our engineers are currently working on these improvements and we thank you for your feedback.

baselpower · Answer

Btw, for me it is pretty obvious that this is a software "problem". 
 According to this page Barometric Altimeter Accuracy on an Edge Device | Garmin Customer Support the barometric altimeter have a precision of 3 meters with every measurement. 
 Seems to me that Garmin is using a very long smoothing period to avoid completely wrong measurements. 
 I'm not saying 15s is a good value to use as a smoothing period. 
 But what could happen in worst case if they calculate gradient every second? It could be that on even a flat road while riding 10km/h it would show a gradient of 220%. 
 Every two seconds: With 10km/h the worst case would be 111% in worst case. 
 Let's do 5 second: 44% 
 10 seconds: 22% 
 15 seconds: 15% 
 On a flat road! Just because of the precision of the barometric altimeter! 
 This is also what DCR has posted on his blog. Garmin is sometimes slower, Karoo is often quicker, but Karoo is also more often showing the totally wrong gradient. 
 And as Sensible Grade does, it would be nice if Garmin gives the option to choose the smoothing period. So people could choose to either have a fast calculation or a correct calculation.

OliverS73 · Answer

Current official release is 16.13 and yes, a fix for the gradient lag has been implemented; it's noticably faster now.

1track · Answer

Agreed said gradient lag is a pain, at release if was abysmally slow, with later release it has is less laggy, but still slow. I do understand, with gradient calc there will be lag from averaging over the past 2 or 3 secs FWIW I use the gradient field in the IQ app Windfield. Gradient updates quicker than native Garmin gradien. WF Grade + | Garmin Connect IQ Bonus with touch screen 1040 is that WF gradient field will, with appropriate screen taps will cycle through gradient, elevation, total elevation of ride and time of day

1track · Answer

WF grade+ is an IQ App that behaves/displays like a data field. pic attached of my Garmin home screen - on the bike in the back room - the grade field is WF grade +

Michael_Kalina · Answer

aweatherall said: I'm wondering if something might be wrong with your unit 
 I have this problem since June 2020 (edge 830) I was at dealer's service many times. Both 830 then and 1040 now are fine The elevation lag depends on SW. There was some beta 17.** and it was really little lag. Now it is massive again for me with 18.23 
 aweatherall said: Have you tried cleaning the barometric port 
 totally clean here is all my pain: https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-1040-series/336096/fw17-29-sw18-23-all-elevation-bugs-are-not-fixed

Michael_Kalina · Answer

aweatherall said: If anyone would like to share comparative data collected on 2 or more units on the same activity I'm more than happy to take a look. 
 I shared many times EPIX https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/11793432935 1040 https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/11793444905 EPIX https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/11833529590 1040 https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/11833578871

Michael_Kalina · Answer

here is elevation itself, not gradient. The lag is massive www.youtube.com/.../ANUqOyR4wGk

OliverS73 · Answer

IMO it demonstrates that there isn't a noticable gradient lag at all, at least with my 1040. Like I said for me it's maybe 3-5 seconds and it clearly shows here.

OliverS73 · Answer

I don't understand this question. The gradient in the video corresponds perfectly with the terrain and the gradient shown is identical to the gradient recorded. What would you need a screenshot for?

Michael_Kalina · Answer

SW 16.13 
 for me it stays within 20sec

Michael_Kalina · Answer

I was to Ukrainian dealer and they denied the exchenge. Our dealer is very nasty one Global Garmin is willing to replace it via UK dealer. But it will take 2-3 monthes for delivey. Being without headunit for such a long time is inconvenient. When I get a new one it may edge 1050 be released )))

Michael_Kalina · Answer

Gradient lag is the half of a problem. The second half is reduced Total ascent, especially on punchy climbs

Michael_Kalina · Answer

it does. it shaves up to 10% of a climb on an XCO track. After a fast downhill goes uphill. Half of an uphill it gives negative grade as a result it skips the bottom part of a track. I also run that track, used to have fenix 6, now it is Epix2. Every single time the watches gives the same total ascent - 55meters, but Edge 1040 on 55 meter climb gives 40-50meters

1track · Answer

re IQ app no need for a different screen, you just replace the Garmin grade field with the IQ app WF grade+ - much as you select any field to display what you require. No swipe/flick to another screen. Give it a go. I experimented and ran WF grade+ field alongside the normal garmin grade field and now just use the WF grade+ field

What about Gradient Lag?

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