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Why cant they play nicely and read the same?
So distance, time, average speed, max speed are pretty much the same across all three but the elevation is different on all three!
Ok i know Strava will always read differently once you upload a ride as they apply their algorithm to the data which changes it slightly
But even my Garmin Edge Explore and Garmin Connect don't read the same elevation and im not talking a few feet here
So Garmin device reads 1168ft of elevation
Once uploaded to Garmin connect it reads 1367ft of elevation
Then when uploaded to Strava and they apply their algorithm it reads 1696ft of elevation!!!
Can you calibrated the Garmin?
Thanks for the reply
So according to your link i can manually reset the elevation but when i follow those instructions they don't take me to the elevation correction part of the Garmin
Quick check on DC Rainmaker's website and he says the following
No barometric altimeter (GPS based, plus post-upload altimeter correction)
So it looks like it cant be adjusted within the Garmin as its GPS based and then when you upload to Garmin's website they correct it
GPS doesn't give very accurate height positioning so if you have a unit with an onboard map, I suspect that height data is map based rather than GPS positioning. If you have a unit with an altimeter it can be configured to use the altimeter exclusively, the map exclusively or a combination of the two. Presumably Garmin Connect calculates altitude gain based on its own map data (which is likely to be different to the GPS's map) and Strava might use different map data (MapBox/Open Street Map) again.
Interestingly, my last route on Garmin Connect gives altitude gain of 1589 feet whilst the same track loaded into Base Camp (using the same map as loaded on my Oregon) gives 1880 feet of ascent (oddly descent to the same starting point is 1908 feet). I don't really use Strava but have linked the Garmin Connect account and Strava shows 1709 ft.
I doubt that any are actually spot on.
What Garmin?
If there's no barometer then it will get GPS elevation which isn't that accurate, then Garmin Connect will do correction based on elevation data once uploaded. On sync with Strava it will do its own correction which may be based on different elevation data.
With barometer then both will prefer that data but I think they still tweak it.
Also both have a setting to switch between barometer or map data.
Map data isn't perfect if you change elevation a lot in a small area. Barometers on the other hand need calibrating and can be affected over the day with pressure changes.
Or, ignore it all and just look at elevation change and compare with previous tracks with the same device and application / site.