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Time in heart rate zone doesn't show in Garmin Connect?

Former Member over 8 years ago

I have an Forerunner 910XT and my friend have a Fenix 3.

On his Garmin Connect "time in heart rate zones" shows after each activity. But on my it doesn't?

We have both adjusted our zones in both the watches and on Connect.

It can't be that I don't have a Fenix that keeps that info away right?

When I export my activities to Strava I get it.
And because my watch register both time and heart rate it should only be a matter of calculations.

0 Scorp1981 over 8 years ago

You're conflating two different concepts there. The calculation is only dependent on the hardware (capabilities) insofar as heart rate information has to be available while the Garmin device is recording the timed activity. However, whether the feature is offered to the user is dependent on the device model, for which there is a product specification (which may or may not expressly include the feature as part of the package offered for the asking price). You can argue until you're blue in the face, but there is still no actual obligation for manufacturers to provide every feature that the hardware in an appliance could deliver (with the right software), and your feelings about it are irrelevant.

The only thing the hardware must be able to do, is to record HR. End. The rest can be done with a software on a web platform. And sure, Garmin doesn't need to do anything about it. It can disregard customers as they like. If that is good business practice is up to them to decide. But they don't have to wonder, if something like Polar will happen to them: they started to lay back, enjoy the success, stopped being innovative AND didn't listen to customers anymore (best example: customers wanted GPS built into their watches. Polar waited way too long at implementing it). They used to be No. 1, now they are struggling to keep up (Though they're improving).

Product differentiation, and the ability to sell different packages of features to users at different prices, irrespective of whether the hardware is capable of delivering more than has been specified and advertised.

Well, even though my Forerunner 620 is a bit old now, it still is a very capable device. And it is a different package then my VAHR. It is more running focused. So, why should a customer with a Forerunner 620 then not see the Time in Zone while a VAHR customer can. It is ONLY because its a newer device, it has nothing to do with "different package". And by the way, the forerunner did cost way more than my VAHR. In my eyes, your points in this case are moot.

You're not buying hardware onto which to load and run your own software, like computer geeks in the Seventies and the Eighties used to do, where your programming ability would be the primary limiting factor to how far you can exploit the hardware's capabilities and potential. You're buying an appliance that delivers a specified package of features. If you want more than those in order to obtain more benefit from the device (thus making it more valuable to you), suppliers in the market are happy to offer you options at higher prices to satisfy a broader set of ‘needs’ and wants.

Well, they did manage to give certain products more features... So what is you point? Even my Forerunner 620 did get a bike mode. I certainly know, that the hardware will limit the possibility to add new features, but don't tell me that it is always the reason they don't bring new features. And in this case, as I stated, Time in Zone has nothing to do with the hardware capability of a specific device, other than recording HR.

Only if that is coupled with extracting as much voluntary spending from the individual customer as possible. The compromise between price to pay for, and number of functional ‘needs’ and wants satisfied by, a given product is for the individual to decide to accept or not, and all products on the market offer (different) compromises from which the individual may make an informed choice, knowing exactly what he/she chooses not to get in order to save on price, or parting willing with dollars he/she could conceivably use to satisfy other ‘needs’ and wants (whether that's food, medicine, petrol, alcohol, commercial sex or whatever).

(I hope I have understood you properly, since my english skills do have a limit. I hope therefore, that my answer fits your statement).
If I understand properly the short version of your statemant is: You get what you pay and you certainly knew what you were paying for. Well, it still is not unreasonable in these day, to ask for feature updates, within reasons. Seeing Time in Zone after recording an activity is definately not an unreasonable request in my eyes. Actualy, seeing Time in Zone with recorderd HR Values, regardless with whatever device, is not unreasonable. Just because it didn't have this feature when I bought it, doesn't mean I can't ask for it. Or why did they add the bike activity on a running watch then?

0 ASmugDill over 8 years ago

Well, they did manage to give certain products more features... So what is you point?

You get what you pay and you certainly knew what you were paying for.

Yes, and so there is no reason to resent not receiving something (a feature, or a higher level of performance) that is not included, when you make an informed choice as as consumer.

Well, it still is not unreasonable in these day, to ask for feature updates, within reasons.

By all means, make requests if you want – in the same way you can always ask someone else for the time-of-day if you want to know (but don't have a watch or phone handset on you), with or without checking whether they're wearing a watch, and with or without establishing whether they have an obligation to give you what you want or even to just acknowledge your request.

Seeing Time in Zone after recording an activity is definately not an unreasonable request in my eyes.

That's fine. However, just because the capability is there – in my analogy, you can see I'm wearing a watch – it does not automatically follow that the other party has an obligation, or someone owes it to you, to satisfy your request no matter how reasonable you think the request is, or how feasible or easy it would be for the other party to do so.

It is with the behaviour of demanding an ‘answer’ or justification from the other party that I personally disagree, especially when the tone is accusatory or argumentative. They don't need to justify to you why they choose not to; you're not even entitled to the satisfaction from being given a ‘reasonable’ explanation that makes their decision more acceptable or understandable to you. The rest of us – including me – can speculate why, in the name of discussion, without a particular interest in your successfully getting what you want, especially if you think you ought to receive it at no extra cost to yourself.

Just because it didn't have this feature when I bought it, doesn't mean I can't ask for it.

So ask for it – and be prepared for any ‘reasonably’ conceivable outcome, ranging from being accommodated, to being ignored, or rejected, or challenged by others. Some of the possibilities may undermine your world view or your self-image, but you're not in a position to compel anyone else to conform or agree.

Or why did they add the bike activity on a running watch then?

For Garmin's own reasons, which they need not explain to or share with you. It was offered (or given) at the company's sole discretion, and not out of any obligation.

I have already given the technical answer to Tegheim83's question, and a link to the authoritative source material, so as far as I'm concerned that part is completed. Your post above about not understanding why is now triggering a different aspect of discussion.

TL;DR – I couldn't care less whether your wants are satisfied or denied. I agree it's doable, but so what? I'm interested in the relationship dynamic between consumer and supplier in the market, and of entitlements and obligations of the parties involved; that's what I'm discussing. If you want more than you have today as a consumer, having already made an informed choice previously about what to purchase, then it's quite ‘reasonable’ to expect you'll have to spend more money now to get more in return.

0 Scorp1981 over 8 years ago

I could see your points if I was asking to get advanced Running Dynamics on a Forerunner 35, or something similiar. But me, and others, are asking for something a bit more reasonable. As I said, other companies who had been on a High Horse (how we say were I live, don't know the english equivalent), like for example Polar or Nokia (I know, not in the same category, but the comparison fits), had to learn the hard way that customers request can be important to listen to. I know of course, that it is very difficult for a company to decide, which customer demands are legit or not. But from what I see, comparing oneself with the competition and looking for patterns in customer demands are a good way to start.

It is with the behaviour of demanding an ‘answer’ or justification from the other party that I personally disagree, especially when the tone is accusatory or argumentative.

Well, as you state, this is a personal thing for you. I myself think, as long as one is not being insulting or extremely unreasonable, it is not a problem to get accusatory (by still trying to remain objective, though).

I'm sorry though, if I came over argumentative (I had to look the word up to see that it has a negative meaning in english). Being a european-latin I like good arguments and discussions (as an anectode: when my sister in law, many years ago, met my family, she thought that we were having some serious dispute. My brother had to explain, that we were simply discussing a topic without any ill feelings. Was quite a culture shock for her :D)

On the other hand though, to be honest, for me you also come off quite strong very often, sometimes even appearing condescending. I understand that you have your opinion, but it also seems that you really don't like to agree to disagree. Maybe it's just that our ways to discuss things are not compatible?

So, fo my side, there are no hard feelings. I try to take your way of wording not personal and I hope you will reciprocete this to me.

Back to Topic:

- I'd like to see Time in Zone in Garmin Connect (and GCM) regardless of whatever device recorded HR value
- It can be done and I understand when people question Garmin why they don't implement it (as a service to customers)
- Garmin has shown, that it CAN listen to customers requests (TrueUp being a good example), therefore I hope they will not stop there