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What exactly is the purpose of Garmin Express???

Former Member over 10 years ago

So I've been waiting, and waiting and waiting for the new version of Garmin Connect to actually work. It doesn't, at least on either of my computers, one is a Windows Vista HP computer, the other is a MacBook Pro i7 with Maverick's OS running. On either computer the new version of Garmin Connect won't recognize my Garmin Foretrex 401. It always says "No Devices" and "Use GarminExpress to add a device" which doesn't work. Every time I plug my Foretrex 401 in to either computer, Garmin Express launches but provides absolutely nothing other than access to an online version of the same basic manual that came with my Foretrex, some other useless information I already have, but NO other services or interesting info. I'm at a loss for why I need this bloatware on my computers. It does nothing that I wasn't able to do BEFORE your site alterations and adding this SW to my computer. Please, do tell, what is the purpose of this stuff? If you're not going to support legacy products, then why force it on us??? I suspect your SW developers released a product far before it was ready for use. I love Garmin GPS products, but your SW side leaves much to be desired. So far, it seems that endeavor would have been better left out of your product portfolio.

I'm not sure if this issue is connected to this great new SW, but often when I plug in my Foretrex 401 into either computer since the Garmin Express was loaded on both, it does the "Saving data..." action, then about 2 seconds after completing that process, my Garmin shuts down. It works fine while using it on the trail, but uploading the data to either of my computers is an issue. I suspect it has to do with Garmin Express, but have been unable to prove that theory thus far. And I'm not interested in paying $75 to find out there's nothing wrong with my Foretrex 401 by sending in to your service dept.

0 Dr Phil over 10 years ago

Is the 401 compatible with Garmin Express? Garmin. like other hardware producers, Apple included, do stop supporting older models after a point in time. I did a quick look to see if the 401 was listed with GE but couldn't find anything.

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 10 years ago

dontwantto

The Foretrex 401 is compatible with Garmin Express for updating the device software. However, if the device is powering off when connected to the computer, it will not be recognized by Express. It is possible that there may be corrupt waypoints or tracks on the device that is causing this behavior. You can try boot blocking the device and then deleting the contents of the Garmin/GPX folder on the device. You can copy this folder onto your computer before deleting it if you have data that you need to save from the device.

To bootblock the Foretrex 401 and remove the files:

Press and hold the Up button on the Foretrex 401
Plug device into computer
Wait until device is recognized by computer, it may take up to 30 seconds for device to be recognized as a drive
Release the Up button.
Navigate to the Garmin drive in Finder
Open the Garmin folder
Delete the GPX folder (You can drag a copy of it to your desktop first if you would like to back it up)

If this doesn't solve the problem, I would recommend directing the question to the Wrist-worn forum or contact Product Support as this is a device issue.

Jason

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Foretrex 401 works with Garmin Express but new Garmin Connect does not recognize/sync

:mad:Hi, I have a similar issue with the "new" Garmin Connect and Garmin Express.

I am using the ForeTrex 401 for quite a while now, mainly - but not limited to - as small bike computer. I have been uploading my tracks to Garmin Connect for a few years. Now, with the "new" Connect and Garmin Express as the sync method, my ForeTrex 401 is not recognized by Garmin Connect while it is recognized by Garmin Express.

Is it true that the ForeTrex401 is not compatible with the "new" Garmin Connect since it is not listed in the "into sports" segment of Garmin?!? P

Please correct that asap!!!

Thanks

0 SUSSAMB over 10 years ago

You can always manually import your data into Connect modern. I suspect you did the same in Connect Classic?

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Not very user friendly

No, I did not upload manually - that would be a hassle!

I could simply upload all new activities by using the upload function and the Garmin Communicator Plugin. See attached screenshot.

I expect a comparable or even better way to upload my data for the "new" Garmin Connect.

The ForeText 401 is a hybrid device, very close to the ForeRunner, which works fine for all kind of sports (hiking, biking, running...) so it does not make sense at all to not include it in Garmin Express! :confused::confused::confused:

Please add it to the sync between Garmin Express and "new" Garmin Connect.

0 SUSSAMB over 10 years ago

Well someone from the Express team should be able to answer that for you. However manually uploading isn't that difficult.

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Thanks for your answer. But it is not about "difficult" or not difficult - I am using manual upload sometimes if I used my iPhone for track recording or needed to adjust a GPX-track because of a data glitch when Garmin starts to record a track with an off-location GPS signal sometimes.

It is about making things worse by introducing a new version... while one would expect it would get better... :p

0 SUSSAMB over 10 years ago

Well it has for many of us, but I'm not clear whether your device is included, the Express team will be able to answer that. In the meantime you are still able to use the older version.