Different Total Elevation Gain

I use an Edge 1050 and Epix Pro to record my rides - upload to Connect and Strava is data from the 1050 and the Epix Pro is there for a backup in case anything happens with the 1050 recording.

However upon completion of each activity I notice a small difference in distance (both using the most accurate location settings and both connected to the same Speed Sensor 2) but a much larger difference in total elevation gain. The Epix is worn on my wrist and the 1050 is mounted on my MTB mount above the stem (pretty much the same height above the ground).

Is there anything I can do to ensure the two devices are recording as accurately as possible (and hopefully when I finish my rides the totals will be closer). I might take my old Edge 1000 out as another device to test.

Many thanks,

Tim

0 Michael_Kalina 10 days ago

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-1050/380864/elevation-lag-and-total-ascent-shortage

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-1040-series/336096/fw17-29-sw18-23-all-elevation-bugs-are-not-fixed

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-1040-series/296993/what-about-gradient-lag

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-830/235410/massive-elevation-inaccuracy

just live with it :(
Every single time support keep saying "it operates within the expectations"

0 rockwilder_2703 10 days ago in reply to Michael_Kalina

Thanks for your reply Michael - I am living with it and tend to just keep the recording that has the highest output :) even manually inputting the starting elevation on both devices (as well as my old Edge 1000 that I used as a "control" last night) the devices still showed different elevations. I understand they use different methods to gauge elevation so I am sure that is the answer.

It is also my understanding that wearing the Epix on my wrist while recording may well affect the output but I also understand the Epix to be more accurate than the 1050 (the elevation on my Edge 1000 was closer to the value on the Epix which to me is a real kick in the teeth with the 1050 supposedly the flagship cycling computer from Garmin). Many thanks again.

I am not an athlete or in any serious training so I guess it does not really matter :D

Best regards,

Tim

0 mcbit 9 days ago in reply to rockwilder_2703

I have been using every iteration of Fenix watch from the Fenix 3 to the current Fenix 8 for cycling. For the past 4 years I have also been using an Edge 830 and now an Edge 1050 and I have to say that the elevation accuracy of both Edges is significantly better than that of any watch i have owned.
I nowadays, for cycling, use only the edge to record and wear the watch passively.

0 rockwilder_2703 9 days ago in reply to mcbit

Many thanks for your reply - I started on the Fenix 5 and went to the Fenix 7 and then Epix Pro in the wearables range. With the computers I started with the Edge 1000, then the 1030, 1040 Solar and now 1050. I have no historic data to compare between devices because I was living in different places. I have manually entered the same elevation on all devices and turned off "auto-update" - let's see what results I get tonight.

Best regards,

Tim

0 colin-campbell 2 days ago

I have the habit of carrying an older Edge model when I purchase a new one, and comparing the results for a while. I've done this since the 1030 replaced the 1000. In my experience, the units have always had variations, especially in elevation gain. Also, I know a couple who sometimes ride their tandem with both of their Garmins mounted. Those rides show differences in distance as well as elevation gain, even in elapsed time.

Right now, I mount my 1050 on the bike, and carry my 1040 in my pocket. Usually, the 1050 is showing longer distance and more elevation gain, while the 1040 shows a longer ride time. But at least once this year, the 1040 showed more elevation gain.

The differences are usually not great, but might add up over a year to several kilometers of total distance and a few hundred meters of elevation gain. Just believe the numbers that show you at your best!