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Multiple Garmin devices

Hello all

I've been using a Garmin Edge 810 for a while now, recently got a Fenix 5s, and now I'm getting my activities in a bit of a mess in Garmin Connect

Because of the recovery indicators in the Fenix, I record all activities in the watch. However, when I cycle I normally use my 810 as the primary device, but still record in the Fenix as an indoor ride (don't need GPS, so save battery). However, both activities will sync up to Garmin Connect, which creates a bit of mayhem and confusion. Hopefully someone here can help clarify a few things:

* Is there a way to not sync automatically selected activities to GC from the Fenix, or alternatively have GC automatically recognize that two activities happened at the same time and pick one in favour of the other? Naturally I'd like to keep the one with GPS data
* If I delete the Fenix activity in GC, will the training metrics in the watch still be valid?
* There is a Training Status panel in GC as well, does it work properly if I remove the Fenix activity, and leave just that from the Edge?
* Is there a way to avoid syncing both activities to Strava automatically? Ideally I'd like to sync cycling activities from the Edge, and all others from the Fenix

As you can see, I'm in a bit of a mess right now. I feel like Garmin hasn't really thought out the possibility that some of us own multiple Garmin units.

Thanks!
  • When you finish the cycling activity on the Fenix, don't save it - discard it. You still get the activity minutes & recovery advice...
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 8 years ago
    Best practice for multiple devices?

    I have just received my Forerunner 935 and I am delighted with it.

    I also have an Edge 820 which I have used for some time to track bike rides and navigate. I still like to use the 820 (since it sits nicely on the handlebars) but also want to use the Forerunner too, since I can track all my exercise with it too.

    However, and not surprisingly, if I start both devices, I end up with two records in Garmin Connect, and twice as much activity as I should have recorded. Then too, it connects to MyFitnessPal and records twice as many calories for exercise. Interestingly, the connection to Strava doesn't seem to pick up the Forerunner cycle ride record.

    Has anyone any suggestions on how best to use two devices, and to not end up with duplicates recorded?

    I was hoping Garmin Connect would spot that the bike rides overlapped and it would choose just one of them (like perhaps Strava is doing). Since the times will be the same for the rides, I would think it wouldn't be too hard to analyse and do something sensible.

    Thanks for any experience and advice!
  • As you can see, I'm in a bit of a mess right now. I feel like Garmin hasn't really thought out the possibility that some of us own multiple Garmin units.



    It's not so much they haven't considered people with multiple devices - they have. It's probably not expecting people to use multiple devices to record a single activity.

    You can't blame them for that.
  • IMHO it is quite handy to get both uploaded to GC as then you can choose which to keep unlike Strava which is a "race" although prefer that for Strava as that's where I keep the definitive record of all my training so I tend to "time" the upload accordingly.

    If you are always going to ride with 2 devices then create 2 GC accounts and then you can keep them separate. Otherwise you will just to have delete one or the other or maybe change the activity to something else if you want to keep both but have accurate totals.
  • I feel like Garmin hasn't really thought out the possibility that some of us own multiple Garmin units.


    So what do you think TrueUp is all about?
  • When you finish the cycling activity on the Fenix, don't save it - discard it. You still get the activity minutes & recovery advice...


    Do you know if I'll also get all the other goodies? VO2Max, FTP estimation...

    It's not so much they haven't considered people with multiple devices - they have. It's probably not expecting people to use multiple devices to record a single activity.

    You can't blame them for that.


    Well, unless they get all the features synched up accross devices, like these new fitness metrics, then there's no other way than to record with multiple devices. So I will blame them for that. Also, anyone that has used an Edge long enough will know that they are... not infallible (to put it mildly). Having it recorded on a second device is a nice backup

    If you are always going to ride with 2 devices then create 2 GC accounts and then you can keep them separate.


    That's actually not a bad idea. I can then have my edge sync up to Strava automatically, and keep all my Fenix stuff separate, and pick what if any activities I send to Strava manually. Will be a bit of a pain with Garmin Express though, but nice idea

    So what do you think TrueUp is all about?


    I have no idea what "TrueUp" is about, but my devices are not synching up, so while they may be thinking about this, it's not done yet. But I'll add it to my reading list to see if there is anything useful there, thanks
  • When I use two devices at the same time to record the same activity, I'll usually look at both when I'm done, and on one device, discard the activity (instead of saving on both). Only one gets uploaded that way. If I want to compare them on GC, I'll save on both, do what I want to do, and then delete one of them.

    For 24/7 stuff (f5 and va-hr step tracking), I just wear one at a time, and TrueUp manages the data, and when both have synced, they have the same 24/7 data.
  • This TrueUp does not seem to work with Garmin Edge devices.

    I'm using a Fenix 3 for recording any running, hiking or walking activities. And additionally I use a Edge 820 to record any cycling activities. Both devices work fine for their own. But there is no link between the two Garmin devices.

    All the totals shown on the Fenix 3 (e.g. intensity minutes, burned calories, recovery time, ...) are only based on the activities recorded by the Fenix 3. And all the cycling activities are only available on the GC portal. Is there a way to get the cycling data (recorded by an Edge device) synchronized to the watch to have valid and complete statistics displayed on it?
  • Is there a way to get the cycling data (recorded by an Edge device) synchronized to the watch to have valid and complete statistics displayed on it?


    I don't think so.
  • This TrueUp does not seem to work with Garmin Edge devices.


    TrueUp, at least today, is for your 24/7 data, and the Edges aren't 24/7 activity trackers. I really doubt you'll even see a ride on an edge sent to your watch.