Originally Posted by
hamster
The site reports the same number that was displayed by the unit. I don't think it's HR based: it does not increase when coasting. Next time I'm riding, I'll note the kJ figure and compare it with all the others.
It looks like it will try to use HR if available. Try a ride without your HR and it will likely be more accurate. From Garmin's support site:
How does my Edge 500 calculate calories?
The Edge 500 calculates calories based on available resources.
Below is the order of precedence:
- New Leaf profile - calculated using New Leaf profile if loaded onto the device
- Firstbeat technology - calculated when the Garmin heart rate monitor is paired with the Edge 500 and user profile data
- Third-party ANT+ enabled power meter (converts wattage (kj) to calories)
- Speed, Distance, and User Profile - calculated using speed, distance, and user profile data
If one or more is not available, the Edge 500 will intuitively use the next option to calculate calorie burn.
https://support.garmin.com/support/s...00000000000%7D