Wednesday, July 22, 2009

BIM vs Garmin clarification

Wayne made a comment on my post yesterday about the elevation data in BIM. I commented back that I thought it was just part of the file exported from Garmin or Sport Tracks. Since I was wrong, I figured it would be worthwhile clarifying.

First, when I exported the data from Garmin I did so as a TCX file not a GPX file as I thought which is what I export data from Sport Tracks to. BIM will import either data file. You can also export from Garmin or Sport Tracks to Google Earth for what it's worth. I haven't tried that but it might be interesting. Now as to the file on BIM I had forgotten that you get this message when you look at your activity

So I assume that is where they get their elevation data and you can see the file imported from Garmin is the same as I the one from posted yesterday except the mileage was different. Sport Tracks had it at 5.89 miles and Garmin had it at 5.88.

Garmin data plotted on BIM

Sport Tracks data plotted on BIM

2 comments:

Londell said...

Love you are testing... What did the Garmin software graph look like? How do these converted graphs compare to the other software generated graph. I am impressed with the BIM graph as I also checked it out and appears more accurate. When I get better, I think I will to the 1/3 mile road and 193 foot climb right out my door and see what it shows?

Wayne said...

Cool, based on this I'd actually put some stock in the BIM elevation numbers. Looking more closely at yesterday's post: BIM puts the elevation gain/loss numbers in the 500ft range, and Garmin Connect puts them in the 1580ft range. I hate that. In my mind this is supposed to be more science than art! :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails