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Why is elevation of a course created in Garmin Connect different (over 1,000ft higher) from what Edge 530 shows after riding the same route?

clslater
over 2 years ago

I created a 56mile course in GarminConnect and sent it to my Edge 530. The course shows 2,025 ft of elevation - which is likely pretty accurate as the area is very hilly. I rode the course and when completed the Edge 530 showed 1,135 ft Ascent - which is what got uploaded to my “Activities”. There’s no way that the 56 mile route is only 1,135 ft of elevation. A 35 mile course I created in GarminConnect and ride quite often, which course includes 32 miles of the longer 56 mile route, is 1,947 ft total Ascent. Something is wonky and it’s very bothersome. Ideas anyone?

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  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Course created in online route creators have elevation taken from freely digital elevation models of the planet.  These have errors that vary depending on the location of the route.

    The elevation recorded when riding a route is from your Edges pressure sensor.  The numbers are afftected by the weather.  These sensors are not calibrated and have potential measurement errors.

    There isn't anyhting you can do about any discrepancy you see between your route ceators elevation numberss and your recorded elevation numbers.  Pick one you trust more and use that number.  Ignore the other one.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

     as mentioned, the elevation is coming from different sources and is likely going to be different. I'd recommend viewing the article HERE to see what can contribute to the barometric altimeter accuracy on your Edge. 

    If you are finding that the two are very far off on any given ride, I'd recommend re-setting your elevation on the Edge by following the steps in the article HERE.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Garmin-Eric

    Similar issue.... But I'm seeing the difference between a course created in Connect.  But when I transfer to my Edge 1040, the elevation is about 1,000ft lower.  This is before Ive ridden it.

    Any ideas? Seems like course elevation is not pulled from Connect.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to argylesocks

    When the Edge loads the course, it estimates the elevation based on the DEM (digital elevation map) pre-installed on the Edge. Elevation for a course shown in connect comes from survey data online. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Garmin-Maeve

    Thank you!  Makes sense.  Surprised at the amount of difference....  Guess I need to ride it to get the true elevation gain.