I post this in part to complain of the issue to Garmin, to help anyone that may be experiencing the same problem troubleshoot, and to get advice from anyone else that may have found a better solution.
The problem I was initially experiencing is that I couldn't get my Forerunner 310XT to sync with Garmin Express after the first few attempts at syncing. The green sync button didn't work, nor did the orange sync button. I read on the forum somewhere to Select the "Add New Device"option. When I do that, the first time there is usually a new device, but the only available option is to "ignore". So I "ignore", then select "Add New Device" option again. This time it tells me that a device is no longer compatible and there is also a new compatible device. Both are 310XTs with the same serial number. I select the option to move forward and I am then usually* able to sync. I then have to sign into Garmin Express again and make minor edits to workouts in there. So uploading a workout is a 10-20 minute operation. :mad: If anyone has experienced this and has a good long term solution, please let me know.
Dear Garmin: Every time I get a new model of forerunner, the syncing is worse. Next time, I don't want ANT, Bluetooth, or any other wireless syncing. Give me a cord and reliable syncing. I only sync when I'm at my computer, so plugging in a USB is not an issue. Also, at the end of this, the file isn't on my PC, so the only way I can get it into another program that Garmin Connect is to go into Garmin Connect and export it one file at a time. I also want an option to automatically store the file locally.
*In one case, I was notified that pairing wasn't enabled on the device (it was, and how else would it have been detected). I confirmed that pairing was enabled on my device and then selected "Try Again".
Update:
I found a response on the forum that seems to indicate there is a permanent solution. https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?144443-Garmin-express&highlight=device+sync+express
1.Delete device from Garmin Express
2. Master Reset Device, the link from the forum doesn't work and I ran into instructions that didn't work before I finally found:
-Power off the device.
-Press and hold the Mode button.
-Continue to hold down mode while pressing the power button.
-Hold both buttons down until you see the "Do You Really Want To Erase All User Data?" message appears.
-Select Yes.
3. Go through a few setup Qs
4. Pair the 310xt and sync with Garmin Express.
5. Link it to your Garmin Connect account through Garmin Express. This is now where I am at. It says that it will take >3 hrs to sync. So...I'm going to bed.
I'll try to update in a week. If it doesn't require a "Add New Device" rigmarole to sync over a full, I will declare it a success.
UPDATE:
It seemed to work. I initially received an error when syncing, but I was simply able to click "try again" and it worked fine. It's a bit annoying because I have to reset the settings on the device, but that's way less hassle than continually adding it as a new device
