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Difference in meters climbed between different Edge head units but also Wahoo

Dominik
11 months ago

Hi,

I've recently done a group ride with friends and I noticed that all of our different head units (most of them Garmins, one was a Wahoo) reported significantly different data of the meters we had climbed although we had all ridden exactly the same track:

Garmin Edge 1040: 1157 m
Garmin Edge 130 Plus: 1156 m
Garmin Edge 830: 1067 m
Wahoo Element Roam: 1017 m

As you can see, (my) 1040 was identical to the readings of the 130 Puls, the 830 showed a lower amount and the Wahoo even less. Now I understand there may be little variations caused by the different sensors, yet I find a range of 1017 to 1157 meters quite significant.

Can someone explain this and perhaps provide me with some background information?

Best regards,
Dominik

  • 0 11 months ago

    Wahoo (and maybe the 830 too, I don't know about that) has better smoothings. It disregards very small measured elevation gains as these comes mostly not from real elevations but from air pressure changes due to changing directions, changing speeds, coming into sliptreams or wind gusts. It's a common complaint that the 1040 measures significant elevation gains even when someone rides completely in flat areas.

  • 0 11 months ago in reply to Jan_Mantau

    That's most valuable feedback, Jan! Thanks a lot! You don't have by any chance some references to other people complaining about the 1040's lack of smoothing out small changes that accumulate over time? I did some initial research prior to posting my question here and didn't come across similar discussions. Quote possibly I used the wrong keywords.

  • 0 11 months ago

    In generel the altimeter function and the concept of messuring meters above sealevel - simple as it seems- is far more complex than i looks at a glance.

    So your observations is pretty much what to expect .You and the friende did around  1087 m of climbing +/- 70 meters .

    if the ride was over several minor climbs , the differences tends to be bigger compared to riding one Big climb .