think people expect too much (precision) from most gadgets. They are guides (even power meters) not perfection. Use them as tools to help but dont get tied to them
Correct – and that’s how I use them. A useful indicator, but nothing more
However, to take issue with this:
My Garmin isn’t the most accurate measure for calorie burn for me. if I have ridden I allow myself about half of what I have burnt on the Garmin
When I got my Edge 500 I read a lot of reports about the HRM function over-estimating calorie consumption.
Sure enough, it was giving a calorie burn about 25% more than my old Polar HRM.
HOWEVER, a quick fiddle on the PC to fine tune the riders details sorted it out. You do need to be very particular with rider weight, age and max / resting heart rates – and change the settings as you change….
Once I had dialled these in the Garmin unit gave out very similar figures to the old Polar one.
ETA – The MFP calorie burn is editable. Just overtype with a more representative figure. Use your own guestimate or use a garmin / Polar estimate as you see fit