Garmin Vo2 numbers 245 vs Fenix 6

ChrisSinfield1963
ChrisSinfield1963 Posts: 3 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all,

I know the shortcomings of Vo2 estimates overall but now a little more interested as to any validity other than another metric that may or may not be useful.. like OHR accuracy.

I've just upgraded to a Fenix 6 pro from a 245. My Forerunner pretty consistently gave me readings of 46-49. However the first couple of runs on the Fenix have given me 41.

Can anyone offer an explanation? Surely the software and hardware is the same? The only thing I can think of is that the Fenix may take temperature and altitude into account?

Though I live at sea level and 20c shouldn't be an adverse impact.

Has anyone any idea or is the metric just junk?

Cheers!

Replies

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    The F6 takes heat into account for this, and what it thinks about your acclimation to heat.

    There's probably a valid reason for the difference. It might be the newness of your F6, not having enough data yet, although I'd think that should transfer from one watch to another. But in any case it's probably something not obvious. I'm assuming the paces and heart rates are the same?
  • ChrisSinfield1963
    ChrisSinfield1963 Posts: 3 Member
    Hi, thanks for the response.
    Yes, everything is identical aside the number.
    I did wonder about the Fenix 'getting to know me', but as you mention, Garmin knows me already.
    I guess I'm just peeved I've dropped 6 points!
    Reassuringly all other measured metrics are spot on, well, aside elevation showing 50ft at sea level, even after calibrating.

  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    It doesn’t transfer from watch to watch (sadly). Your new Fenix is getting to know you (the metric is calculated in the watch-not on Garmin connect-so it’s only using info in your watch to do the calculation). It’ll even out in time - except that the Fenix 6 does factor in heat and altitude so the end number may be off from the 245.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    ChrisSinfield1963 wrote: »
    Reassuringly all other measured metrics are spot on, well, aside elevation showing 50ft at sea level, even after calibrating.

    For what it's worth, I calibrate mine manually at home. Pretty regularly. Barometers drift over time for altitude, but they're a great feature overall. Tend to be better for altitude than GPS over the course of an activity. (Also when you're out of cell reception you can use it to get an idea of the weather coming at you.)
  • ChrisSinfield1963
    ChrisSinfield1963 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks, I appreciate the responses. Edged the vo2 to 43 today, but I did like being in the top 10% for my 57 years, not the top 30%!
    Regarding the elevation, I did read just now they are only accurate to 50ft or so, I guess at 13, 450 feet that's good enough. At sea level and the highest point near me being about 250 feet, I should be a little forgiving!
    I was apparently at minus 25ft today, in reality I was minus 5 so not too bad.
    Next issue is Garmin getting there systems up so I can update the firmware and sync Strava routes to the device as they seem to be stuck in Connect (for the F6 and Edge 520+)
    Thanks again for the advice.
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