Garmin Edge Calorie count

[DawieO]

My mate and I have been using the Garmin Edge 705 on our IDT's, and he picked up a very interesting phenomenon.

 

His Tacx was measuring only about half the calories indicated by the Garmin for the same ride.

 

A bit of digging and he found this:

 

"We did find that the Edge 705 substantially over-estimates the number of calories you?ve burned. According to Garmin, the best algorithms for calorie consumption are protected by patents, so it?s best to treat this feature as a way of comparing rides for effort. If you eat to replace the food you have just burned, you?ll turn into a blimp."

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/gadgets/gps-devices/product/edge-705-31875

A bit disappointing to say the least.

 

[DawieO]

For the record, the Tacx showed 670 Calories, the Garmin 1750 on the SAME ride.

[Bos]

jeesh.. thats a bit more than a discrepency.. thats like way way out! haha

I wonder how accurate the tacx reading was?

[fandacious]

as far as i know garmin measures calories burnt while tacx measure calories at wheel.

 

garmin takes heat loss and thing like that into account while tacx just measures mechanical calories to turn the wheel

 

or i could be talking out of my ear

[word]

Go with the Tacx reading. I have 3 readings on my IDT. Garmin 305, Tacx and Powertap. Powertap is most accurate.

 

 

 

This morning IDT showed Tacx at about 720 calories, Powertap at about 705 and I did not check garmin but it normally reads around double so would probably show about 1400 odd.

[DawieO]

This I got from one of the many forums where this has been raised:

"All the Edge units use ONLY speed, time, and distance for calorie calculation. Your HR and Power Meter if present are not used. Most of us assume that the correct figure is somewhere between 50 and 60% of what the Edge displays"

[Daxiet]

Again, proves Garmin's devices are purely there for GPS and maybe a tiny bit of elevation detail which because based on barometric pressure is inaccurate. For the rest they're flashy toys. I own one of these flashy toys. Garmin need to up their game for the price they charge!

 

That said, anyone know how accurate the Polar's are on Calorie burn?

 

[Goodbadugly]

I have a Polar and a Garmin. The discrepancy is huge! It has been debated on many internet sites. The Garmin is very optimistic. Treat the Garmin as a GPS. Not as a "calorie counter". 

[tabasco]

thats a huge let down, time to look for something else, not to mention that you can't buy accessories off the shelf from any of there dealers.

[Bos]

I wonder If theres a Sporttracks plugin that fixes the garmin reading?

I dont have time to look, but If you dont use it yet, Its a kind of "open" software developed by users, free download and its quite cool, go check it out.

[Daxiet]

 

thats a huge let down' date=' time to look for something else, not to mention that you can't buy accessories off the shelf from any of there dealers. [/quote']

 

Very true, I hunted for the GSC10, everyone can order it, but no one had it on the shelf. If you want Polar accessories everyone has a boat load of them.

 

[tabasco]

thats a huge let down' date=' time to look for something else, not to mention that you can't buy accessories off the shelf from any of there dealers. [/quote']

Very true, I hunted for the GSC10, everyone can order it, but no one had it on the shelf. If you want Polar accessories everyone has a boat load of them.

 

You can order accessories from europe and get them here with tnt quicker then you can get them from your local dealer. You will also get the right accessories first time around.

[fandacious]

I wonder If theres a Sporttracks plugin that fixes the garmin reading?

I dont have time to look' date=' but If you dont use it yet, Its a kind of "open" software developed by users, free download and its quite cool, go check it out.

[/quote']

 

 

yup - sporttracks can calculate calories burnt

[Jaco Steyn]

thats a huge let down' date=' time to look for something else, not to mention that you can't buy accessories off the shelf from any of their dealers. [/quote']

 

I saw 2 GSC10 Cadence/Speed sensors behind the counter at the Sportmans Warehouse in Vanderbijlpark last Saturday.

[Daxiet]

 

thats a huge let down' date=' time to look for something else, not to mention that you can't buy accessories off the shelf from any of their dealers. [/quote']

 

I saw 2 GSC10 Cadence/Speed sensors behind the counter at the Sportmans Warehouse in Vanderbijlpark last Saturday.

 

Buy them now while they still there! I have been to 4 Sportmans in JHB/Pretoria area and they say they don't keep the accessories, but they can order them. Many cycle shops don't even know what a GSC10 is. In all honesty that must say something about the demand for Garmin accessories. GSC10's break left right and center, so they should be a common spare, but they're not.

 

[tabasco]

thats a huge let down' date=' time to look for something else, not to mention that you can't buy accessories off the shelf from any of their dealers. [/quote']

 

I saw 2 GSC10 Cadence/Speed sensors behind the counter at the Sportmans Warehouse in Vanderbijlpark last Saturday.

Buy them now while they still there! I have been to 4 Sportmans in JHB/Pretoria area and they say they don't keep the accessories, but they can order them. Many cycle shops don't even know what a GSC10 is. In all honesty that must say something about the demand for Garmin accessories. GSC10's break left right and center, so they should be a common spare, but they're not.

 

I was told before by the agents that I can get them at a certain sportsmans warehouse, after jumping in the car and driving to the said store. The women pulled out a polar cadence sensor and said here this is the one I have. I was just a little pissed. I eventually got it via my own source and by passed all the local dealers. Until they up there support to the consumer, I will not support the local dealers. After hearing about the calorie count issues I think I am going to look for a more accurate device.

 

I am still very disapointed