Huge discrepancy between data from Strava, Geo Tracker & Wahoo apps

[ecotrials]

Today I compared 4 similar data points from my morning ride between 3 Android apps;
Strava, Geo Tracker and Wahoo.

Strava
Distance Mi, Elev Gain Ft, Moving Time, Max Elev Ft
10.86 2461 2:17:55 1484

Geo Tracker
Distance Mi, Elev Gain Ft, Moving Time, Max Elev Ft
10.58 1996 2:17:17 1319

Wahoo
Distance Mi, Elev Gain Ft, Moving Time, Max Elev Ft
9.08 1547 1:43:51 1136

I do not believe I have any means to tweak any of the apps to effect this data set,
with the exception of Wahoo which allows me to define the speed below which
the app will assume stopped (I changed the default 2mph to 1mph, the limit).

Has anyone noticed the same sort of discrepancies? Any idea on which might be most accurate, or anyways to "correct" the app calculations?

Thanx, Paul

 

[Superlukey]

I use Strava and Garmin for running and biking and Strava always records more distance and elevation than Garmin. Always tended to think (and seen others say) that the Garmin is probably more accurate.

 

[ecotrials]

Can you estimate how far off Strava is compared to Garmin as a percentage?
(distance, elevation and time?) Then I can compare to Geo Tracker and Wahoo.
Thanx so much, Paul

 

[Gary]

Why would any of this data actually matter?

 

[Superlukey]

Cos particularly so for when I go running I like to know (accurately) how far and how fast. Others may differ of course.

 

[Superlukey]

Hi Paul. No worries. I just need to find some entries where I recorded them separately. Will come back to you.... ?

 

[Gary]

Cos particularly so for when I go running I like to know (accurately) how far and how fast. Others may differ of course.

Surely if you run the same route all you'd need to know is how long it took you to compare runs?
if it's different routes they're unlikely to be comparible anyway?

I'd just stick to one App instead of worrying which is more accurate.
They all calculate distance/elevation slightly differently
eg.
How Distance is Calculated
and
Elevation for Your Activity

 

[Mikerb]

...and all the apps rely on a gps chip in the phone which will more than likely be a rather simple and cheap one! On a dedicated GPS tracker many will record a track point (TP) every one tenth of a second......a phone gps may only record a TP once a second or even once every 2 seconds. A dedicated GPS is normally required to acquire several satellites which enables seamless tracking whilst a cheaper GPS chip may lose tracking altogether. All GPS trackers give some anomalies and software is required to identify them and remove them...otherwise they adversely impact on end to end calculations such as speed and distance. I use a dedicated GPS tracker for windsurfing and for Speed events the organisers will only accept GPS units that use dopler.
In brief.....you get what you pay for!!

 

[outerlimits]

Here’s a data point for ya
Strava is shit