MFP vs Map My Fitness Calorie used?

2loosegoose

I have read most of the posts with regards to MFP's calories allocated for exercise and saw the comments that they are overstated. To try and get a better idea of what I am doing I downloaded the "Map my Fitness"(MMF) app, which I found from the MFP website. Now, I am even more confused. The bulk of my exercise comes from walking a set route or hiking in the forest.
According to MFP my daily walk which is 60min at a pace of 12.5min p/km or less I burn +- 320 calories. According to MMF which calculates the splits, average pace and also the elevation, I burn 555 calories.
Another example. Once a week I do a hike over some hills and through a forest. The distance is 7.2km and I average a 17min p/km pace. According to MFP I burn 972 calories and according to MMF 1495.
Both sites have my height, age and weight information. The only addition that MMF has is that it possibly adds the elevations of the hills I walk? These are rather large variations and I am trying to find a better average of what calories to eat back. I made the mistake of not eating my calories back in my second week and saw the results of that. Not good.
Any suggestions for more accurate tracking?

Deanner03

Get a heart rate monitor. I had the same issue, and for walking or cycling a HRM is a great tool to find calorie burns.

robinmarkz

Did the monitor raise or lower the MMF burn?

Because they use this formula, linked below. You can also look up almost any activity and do the math on it. (Better to let an app do that.)

Corrected "METS." (No. Not the baseball team. Although some "correction" might help. )

https://sites.google.com/site/compendiumofphysicalactivities/corrected-mets

I really want to get a monitor! But if you could tell us what effect it has, that would be helpful. Thanks.

Best,
Robin