Why do I still need Strava?

RE: Why do I still need Strava?

e7andy — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 19:44:24 GMT

Maybe. It is a big cost to take and it might not be worth it. It is easier and inline with their business model to just make good sports watches to make people stay with the brand. I don't think the software will make people stay or make customers switch from other brands. The customers look at the cool hardware and do the switch because of that. The software is just a bonus and most serious athletes use other services anyway with a lot better analysis tools.

I see that you ask for seeing routes from other users. You can do that now in Garmin Connect. Some comparing can be done. You can compare up to 4 activities with each other.

RE: Why do I still need Strava?

JanGG — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 19:34:18 GMT

Well, yes. However- today I have no barrier of exit to go to Suunto or the other brands. If Garmin had a cooL ecosystem, I would think probably 2x before a switch. Garmin devices are good - but why not building more around it?

RE: Why do I still need Strava?

e7andy — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 18:03:20 GMT

I think it is a business decision. Garmin is a hardware company. The software (Garmin Connect) is free so they make no money on that. The development team for Garmin Connect is probably not that big so they work very slowly.

Garmin got no incentive to create a great routing software since it will cost a lot of money to develop and maintain and they will make zero money doing that. Let the other companies do that at no cost for Garmin.

For Strava it is all about the software. The got a subscription based business model which finance the development of the software. They are not developing any hardware so they are not really a competitor to Garmin.