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imported tcx files do not give credit in challenges

Bart V
over 3 years ago

I regularly import tcx files to garmin connect, but these do not lead to and credits in challenges like the 250k monthly joy rides. Is there anything that can be done about this?

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  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Only activities recorded with a Garmin device are counted for badges and challenges. It must also be a FIT file.
    Is there a reason to why you don't use a Garmin device to log your activities?

    What you can do is to convert your TCX file to a FIT file and add a Garmin device to the file. Then import it.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Thanks, that explains a lot.

    The file that I upload is created from 2 files off Garmin Connect. Both files relate to the same activity, but one is recorded from a Garmin watch, and the other from the mobile Tacx trainer app. I export them, then combine and import again. In order to avoid duplication, I delete the original files.

    The merged imported file identifies the Garmin watch. I guess that means that the reason for failure is that it is not a FIT file. But I can't export to a FIT file. Any help on converting the tcx file to a fit file would be appreciated.

    I have seen the other thread about connecting a Garmin watch to a Tacx trainer. As I wrote there, I am unable to connect the watch to the trainer. Thus, heart rate data cannot be directly integrated with the trainer data, and this is the only solution I have seen so far that will integrate the data.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Bart V

    Why can't you connect the watch to the trainer? If the trainer can connect to the app it should be able to connect to the watch. Which watch and trainer do you have?
    Why can't you connect the heart rate to Tacx app? If you got a chest strap it connects as any other sensor. If you use wrist base heart rate you should broadcast the heart rate from the watch which then connects to the app as any other sensor.

    You can use this tool to merge the files: https://gotoes.org/strava/Combine_GPX_TCX_FIT_Files.php
    You will need to pay the developer to be able to export to a FIT file. I haven't done that because it was a bit complicated to do that when I tried and I bought a license of Fit File Repair Tool instead.

    You can export to FIT file with Fit File Repair Tool which you will need a license for: https://www.fitfilerepairtool.info/

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to e7andy

    Thanks for the help! I use a Vivoactive 4 watch, and a Vortex Tacx trainer. Tacx trainer app version is 4.19.2. The watch is my only heart rate recording device, that's what I am trying to use.

    An older version of the app allowed me to search for a heart rate monitoring device, but this version doesn't seem to offer that option. I have tried broadcasting heart rate data from the watch, but the Tacx app doesn't seem to pick it up.

    I am using the gotoes merging app, but I haven't paid up, so I can't export the fit files. If I knew for sure that this would work, I  wouldn't mind paying.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Bart V

    Have you used the instructions?

    https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=IRQlGJqpQ29hfYbqvf9vf8

    To pair a Bluetooth Sensor

    1. Open the Tacx Training app
    2. Select Settings (bottom right)
    3. Select Device Manager
    4. Wake up the sensor
      • To get heartrate from a compatible Garmin watch, put the watch into broadcast mode (see your owner's manual)
    5. The sensor should appear under Other Devices, tap it to connect
  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to e7andy

    Yes, I've done all that. It simply does not appear, no matter how often I try.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Bart V

    idem.......it simply does not appear.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Bart V

    Does the VivoActive 4 broadcast heart rate via Bluetooth or ANT+? [From a quick Google search it looks like it uses ANT+.]

    If it broadcasts via Bluetooth then it should be received by the device running the Tacx app. However not all Garmin watches that broadcast heart rate do so over Bluetooth.

    If it broadcasts via ANT+ you will only work with a device that can receive ANT+. No Apple devices can receive ANT+ and only a few Android devices can. They are mostly Samsung devices with a few from other manufacturers.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Scillonian

    The trainer can certainly receive ant+ as well as bluetooth. My understanding is that the watch needs to be connected to the trainer, so it doesn't matter whether the watch is bluetooth or ant+

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Bart V

    Your watch (as a heart rate source) needs to connect to the application (Tacx Training app) controlling the trainer via the device the application is running on (your mobile device). As the VivoActive 4 appears to only broadcast heart rate over ANT+ your mobile device will need to support ANT+ for the Tacx Training app to get heart rate data.

    Your watch does not connect to the Vortex trainer to provide the trainer with heart rate data.

    Your watch does connect to the Vortex trainer to receive power data (and speed and cadence data if the Vortex supports them too).