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Open Thread: Why is Garmin's Software faulty

Former Member
Former Member over 9 years ago
In many ways I love my vivosmart, but the experience is seriously let down by bugs (eg Garmin Connect sync problems) and software design choices that are difficult to understand.

Does Garmin's software lag because the company lacks a Silicon Valley presence like Fitbit, Jawbone, etc., and therefore can't attract top software talent? Or do hardware people run the show at HQ and they just don't get the importance of software?

It's really frustrating because Garmin makes some of the best hardware. With the right software, UE, etc. their products could be amazing.

Overall, Garmin as a company actually reminds me a lot of Sony. Great hardware (eg Sony image sensors are tops) but Sony's software is a real let down. One big difference between Sony and Garmin, however, is that at least Sony generally makes up for its poor software with good design. However, it does appear that Garmin is making some progress on design.

Any other theories on why Garmin software is such a disaster?

P.S. apologies for the rant
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    Never had any real issues with Garmin software, perhaps if you explained your issues in more detail folks might be able to help.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    It's kind of been an issue for a long time. I got an Edge 305 in 2006. At that time, the software platform was called Motion Based. It was good with robust reporting capabilities. I don't believe it was owned by Garmin. Garmin then came up with Garmin Express. The migration of all the activities from MB to GE was painfully long. IIRC GE worked pretty well, but it never had all the features MB had. The forums were not happy. I got away from it for a couple of years and when I came back they had GC. Still not as good as MB was, even when it works.

    I don't know why they can't get it thru their heads that hardware can only be as good as the software. Maybe instead of coming out with new devices every few months they should concentrate on the software for a while. I guess it's easy to talk up the hardware in advertising and maybe that's why. But many reviews of their products do downgrade them because of the software.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    perhaps if you explained your issues in more detail folks might be able to help.


    I've primarily posted my issues in the Vivosmart forum if you want to go give them a read.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    Hilarious

    By the way, someone (perhaps in Garmin's software development department?) changed the original title of my thread, which was "Open Thread: Why Does Garmin's Software Suck" ;-)
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    At least they didn't delete your post ...
    I have never had a problem with Garmin (hardware or software).

    I had a Fitbit Surge (presumably their top product), and it was a faulty design (in many ways),
    and their software (although a bit more flashy than Garmin) has many errors.

    I complained on the Fitbit community website, and was banned.
    I complained to to James Park on Twitter and was blocked.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    I Agree With Original Thread Name

    There are too many problems/weaknesses to even try to list. My events never sync automatically like they are supposed to. I always have to manually "import" them. I have called support twice on this and have given up. And Segments, oh my goodness. How long have they been down for work this time? Are they going to have them running again this year? Oh, maybe next year. It is terrible, and they don't really have much desire/ability to improve it.

    Gearhead