Originally Posted by
hokiefyd
I know this is a biking forum, and not a GPS forum, but it sounds like your two apps are using different elevation algorithms. I recently found this with an app that I've come to prefer using: Backcountry Navigator (BCN). It's not a cycling app, but a hiking app (with a bunch of different base map options) but I found the elevation to be a few hundred feet off from what I know to be correct in my area (750 ft actual, ~620 ft indicated). Strava gives me the correct elevation, but BCN doesn't. I messed with it for a while and couldn't figure it out.
So I used an app called "GPS Test", which is a good app for testing your GPS sensor and your compass, and it will show your elevation. You can change an option in GPS Test to use the Geoid ("jee-oy-d") which is a closer approximation of your local terrain than "Mean Sea Level", which is sort of a baseline approximation that GPS defaults to. I found that, by using the Geoid, GPS Test told me my elevation to within a few feet. If I uncheck it, then I'm off by a few hundred, and it gives me a similar number to what BCN is telling me. There appears to be no option in BCN to use a different elevation algorithm. It's not too much of an issue for me (I like it for all the different base maps I can use, and don't really use it for telling me elevation), but I was happy to figure out the issue.
If you're curious, try downloading the GPS Test app and then go back to the top of Mt. Lofty. I reckon that toggling the Geoid on and off in GPS Test will give you both of your elevations -- the one from Map my Walk and the one from the other app you were using. Your other app may have an option deep in its settings somewhere that will allow you to change the elevation algorithm.
That's interesting thanks for the info. I think the problem with the Zeopoxa app is it just isn't very good and doesn't show total elevation gained so I've deleted it.
I've downloaded Map my Ride now, it's in a family of other apps including Endomondo all highly rated apps but can't see anything to do with algorithms but being within 9 metres of actual isn't to bad. Stravas obviously the best but I'm not paying for it haha and may try other apps in the future, why not test them all out.
I tried a new app last night called "Relive" you may like checking out. It does amazing satellite video footage of what you've done, Tried it last night for my walk. Will hopefully get to show my ride next week.