Garmin Average Watts compared to PP

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chipstead
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 9:55 am

Garmin Average Watts compared to PP

Post by chipstead »

Hi John,

Just looking at my garmin average watts compared to my Powerpod average watts shown in isaac software for a ride i did yesterday.
My Garmin shows an average of 209 Watts for the same ride that Isaac shows 192.9 watts, can you tell me why that is?
Not sure if i'm doing something wrong here.
Velocomp
Velocomp CEO
Posts: 8016
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:43 am

Re: Garmin Average Watts compared to PP

Post by Velocomp »

I believe Garmin has a feature that allows the user to calculate average power, where "0 power" times are ignored. In other words, this average power reports the average number for all the times you WERE pedaling. So, if you climbed a hill with 100W, then descended that hill not pedaling (0 power), the Garmin would report 100W average power.

PP always includes zero power in its power calculations. For the same climb/descent, PP would report 50W average.

I also think Garmin lets you choose whether or not to turn off this particular kind of averaging.
John Hamann
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