Garmin Edge 500 calorie counter issue

CyclingObsession

Recently got a Garmin edge 500, I have set the usual profile info up and wheel size etch, I use a heart monitor and it under estimates the count compared to my polar ft7 by 200-300, when I dont use heart monitor it over estimates it by 600-700, is there a way to fix this as I want to give my polar away.

boblo

Work out how much to manipulate your weight setting by (+/-) to get the same approximate reading as the Polar. The algorithm Polar use is supposed to be more accurate than Garmin's but they wouldn't license it to Garmin :-/

amaferanga

How many kCal an hour is the Polar claiming and how many for the Garmin?

Alex_Simmons/RST

CyclingObsession wrote:

is there a way to fix this as I want to give my polar away.

Add a power meter. Or just get used to the light comic fiction that such estimators provide.

ShutUpLegs

Why do you need to count calories, are you trying to loose weight :?:

CyclingObsession

I have the cadence meter also, the polar measures 550-to 600 calories an hour, depending on how hard I push, garmin syas 900-1000, no I am not trying to lose weight

amaferanga

CyclingObsession wrote:

I have the cadence meter also, the polar measures 550-to 600 calories an hour, depending on how hard I push, garmin syas 900-1000, no I am not trying to lose weight

How do you know which is right?

CyclingObsession

well Im doubting I burn 1100 calories for 24 miles at 17mph average, I guess the polar is more accurate as it was highly recommended

amaferanga

CyclingObsession wrote:

well Im doubting I burn 1100 calories for 24 miles at 17mph average, I guess the polar is more accurate as it was highly recommended

True, 1100kCal would probably be an overestimate, but then 500kCal would probably be an underestimate.

danowat

I'd say 600cals an hour is around ballpark for an endurance ride (56-75% FTP - 69-83% HR)

CyclingObsession

I know it's virtually impossible to get it 100% right, but it would b gr8 to be able to rely on the garmin as my calorie counter, I might lower the weight and see if that makes a difference

amaferanga

CyclingObsession wrote:

I know it's virtually impossible to get it 100% right, but it would b gr8 to be able to rely on the garmin as my calorie counter, I might lower the weight and see if that makes a difference

I think the point is that you'd be just as good taking a ballpark figure for calories burnt per hour (perhaps adjusting it based on how hard you ride) instead of using a calorie guesser like the Garmin or Polar.

barry_kellett99

If you upload your garmin file to garmin connect and strava you will get two different results. I always go with strava -15% to play it safe

I've not looked into it though, but I am sure since inputting actual heart rate zones from the result of testing, my garmin is showing figures a lot closer to what I would consider realistic.

Ran it one day without a HRM on and the estimate was laughable

I run a powermeter most of the year but ride a clapped out bike from now til march more or less so work on heart rate, but using the powermeter in the past gives me a good idea of actual Kcal burn