Garmin Edge 305 Question

[SadieKate]

Regina, I've done a little editing. Make sure you differentiate between the measurement of the elevation of a certain point on your route (i.,e., at the top of Mt Diablo it is X feet high) and the calculation of the total feet you've climbed (i.e, I just rode up Mt Diablo and climbed X feet total). These are two different things.

ForeRunner: GPS elevation only. Much variation/error on gain/loss calculations (only available once you've downloaded your data to the Training Center or MotionBased). Essentially worthless for elevation gain/loss readings but fairly accurate for measuring the elevation of a certain point.

Edge: GPS and barometric elevation readings and gain/loss calculations. Some variation/error. Generally more accurate than GPS alone. Not perfect, but okay for consumer grade.

[silver]

Regina, I've done a little editing. Make sure you differentiate between the measurement of the elevation of a certain point on your route (i.,e., at the top of Mt Diablo it is X feet high) and the calculation of the total feet you've climbed (i.e, I just rode up Mt Diablo and climbed X feet total). These are two different things.

ForeRunner: GPS elevation only. Much variation/error on gain/loss calculations (only available once you've downloaded your data to the Training Center or MotionBased). Essentially worthless for elevation gain/loss readings but fairly accurate for measuring the elevation of a certain point.

Edge: GPS and barometric elevation readings and gain/loss calculations. Some variation/error. Generally more accurate than GPS alone. Not perfect, but okay for consumer grade.

I agree. like I said, I got myself the forerunner 205. I don't really care about elevation and climbing data. I don't like to be bothered with HRM and cadence. On the bike I really only want to know distance and speed, so I really only use my cateye. I've strapped the forerunner on a few times to map out a route. I got the forerunner because I wanted it for running. Good basic GPS for distance and speed and easy to wear when I run. Anyone buying one of these products needs to understand their abilities and limitations and know what they want from them.

[onimity]

Hey SadieKate,

I did write to Garmin about the elevation gain/loss issue and their suggestion was to use Motionbased but I will write to them about the way they market the product and why I'm returning it. If you look at the feature lists you would not understand that the Forerunner doesn't track elevation gain/loss accurately. I would have purchased the correct device in the first place if they had been clear about that or not included that as a 'feature' of the device.

I agree that simple things like release notes would be nice. You'd think that with so many products they might have some organization or standard processes... Actually, I've always been really impressed with their device software.

Lifesgreat,

Don't I wish it could track the wind speed!! It should count as uphill when you have to pedal going downhill just to keep going!

[tygab]

This is from their help page:

Choosing to apply the Tune-Up features here will apply the information automatically when submitting from the Inbox to the Digest. You may always override this preference by choosing to edit the activity.

* GPS Corrections - cleans up location information that can sometimes produce erroneous values
* MB Gravity - cleans up elevation information by cross-referencing the location with an elevation dataset

Please note that MB Gravity is not necessary with the Edge 305 as it has a built in Barometric Altimeter.

I think the algorithms are probably well done. I suppose the only way to know that for sure is to do a side by side with the Edge. But, for my purposes I am believing it as accurate enough.

Edit: haha we just may get to do this as I am convincing my husband to get his Edge with the good deals out there... [he has been coveting my Forerunner data].

[SadieKate]

Tygab, these are the notes from two rides I did recently. I've called Garmin about the inaccuracies and they confirmed that the ForeRunner gain/loss data is incorrect whether you run it through GTC or MB.

Mt Tam mtb ride of 24+ miles:
FR 305 in GTC = 6,456
FR 305 in MB with gravity correction = 4,613
maillotpois' Edge 305 = 3,247 (and based on similar rides and my legs, this is correct)

Lake Solano road ride of 21+ miles on a nearly flat road:
FR 305 in GTC = 1,551
FR 305 in MB with gravity correction = 1,139
Polar and Ciclo data from past rides = 400-405 (and verified by the almost flat road)
MP's Edge 305 = 547

Jobob and Trekhawk could probably give their results from this last ride also if you feel that you need more stats for comparison. I've used a Ciclo and a Polar for a few years now. All of my results are comparable to Edge results. Forerunner results are from another galaxy far, far away.

[tygab]

Hmm. That's unfortunate... thanks for posting the stats. Might have to chat with the folks in Olathe about this...

[onimity]

Yea, my ride last Saturday was similar. It was an organized ride and the listed elevation gain was 5,500 feet. Seems about right given the terrain, it was pretty much flat then straight up.
Garmin Training Center gave me 11,846 ft
Motionbased rounded that down to 8,932 ft.

That's a good idea to convince your husband that he needs the Edge. The deals are really great, especially with the rebate. (Thanks for that!)

Anne

[bikerHen]

Well I did it! Ordered one this morning! Thanks for all your encouraging words! The new bike wants it and the mount is broken on the computer on my road bike. So I really do need a new toy! I mean computer! bikerHen