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Why does the Garmin ecosystem suck so bad?

Is there a roadmap for GC development? I just got my forerunner about a month ago, and I am kind of surprised at how unpolished the ecosystem is. To add to this, the things I see get updated are made worse.

Good examples:

Why can't I view reports in the phone app?

Why can't I view daily suggested workouts in the phone or web?

Why are the training plans in the phone limited to coaching but you get on the web and there are dozens more? 

EVEN BETTER, why isn't there a 100% feature for feature overlap between watch, phone and web app? I get the watch MAY have some limitations but the phone and the web app should be feature for feature coverage!

Why not let us tell Garmin Suggested Daily Workouts what our goals are? I LOVE GSDW feature but now that I am started (over 1 month in), it has no way to know if I want to train for a 5K or a marathon. It's Goal is "V02 development" but runners who follow it for 6-12 months peak and maintain but never get better after the first few months. 

Why no marathon coached program OR updated calendar widget which have been begged for for YEARS in the forums? The calendar widget is a JOKE. Music options are weak and so are podcasts.

Garmin coached cycling plans!? GONE! 

Why does the watch take 5-8 seconds to alert me when I have gone past my HR limit? As a brand new runner 5-8 seconds means I am 10-15% past my HR zone by the time the watch alerts me. If I was a good runner and my HR was well controlled this would be fine. Unfortunately I am not a good runner yet, and according to the Garmin portal data I am above about 85% of users in mileage and running. So I would assume that a VAST MAJORITY of the users will share this issue. 

Menu and data export got updated about 2 weeks ago and were made worse. Now if I am comparing screens in GC web there is no toggle to hold the menu open which actually made a big difference in how the site feels. Export your VO2 data so you could see decimal estimates and not just whole integers? Well they updated that and now it only shows the integer and is substantially less useful.  

Why does a 17+ billion dollar company seem to care so little about the interface to our tech? 

Sorry to sound a little ranty, but when you're $600 into a tech stack that KINDA works it's a little frustrating!

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  • Ohh yeah one other thing I forgot!

    Your phone has to talk to your watch via Bluetooth so that it can download the data from the activity. Your phone then sends that data to Garmin web app via WiFi or Cell data.

    You want to view that data while you're out hiking with no cell coverage?

    RoflRoflRofl You silly rabbit, Tricks are for KIDS!

    Why would you think the watch and phone should be able to work without "the cloud"? I mean all the data and information is literally in your hands BUT without "the cloud" we cant see it ...

    Garmin I am a developer. For the love of God put me on a management retainer and lets get this stuff straight!

    I love Garmin and I love what ya'll have brought to market BUT leaving the product half baked for years has left the door open for a number of competitors and the users are getting frustrated. I am fully bought into the Garmin ecosystem. I want this to succeed. Hell I even got my sister to get a watch and chest strap b/c of all the raving I do about my training now. I plan on getting a cycle trainer later this year. So basically

    I LOVE GARMIN, hell I think 99% of us on this forum do. It would be nice if Garmin loved us back. 

  • You want to view that data while you're out hiking with no cell coverage?

    You can use the Garmin Explore app. It works offline too, although the functionality is rather rudimentary in comparison to Garmin Connect.

    Garmin I am a developer. For the love of God put me on a management retainer and lets get this stuff straight!

    Plenty of positions are open, you can apply for one here: Garmin Careers Home

  • there is no toggle to hold the menu open

    The toggle is still there. Is it removed for you?

  • It disappeared when they updated the VO2 export, which was about 2 weeks ago now I think. It did reappear for me between my 1st and 2nd post.

    Thanks

  • Did not know about the Explore app. Will def check it out!

    Like I said, they can put me on a management retainer. I own a company which provides IT services. We, the Garmin users, deserve better than what we have been given. They have had years and haven't fixed major issues. 

    Thanks for the response.  

  • so bad.  this is not that hard

  • Garmin APP and Ecosystem sucks. The whole team behind the Mickey Mouse APP needs to be fired. The APP provides a bunch of useless data and leaves up to the user to make sense of it. They make great devices though.  And for god sake please get Rid of Black background on the APP. It should be white or another light color . 

  • And for god sake please get Rid of Black background on the APP. It should be white or another light color .

    You can change it: GC app menu » Settings » Thema » Light

    The APP provides a bunch of useless data and leaves up to the user to make sense of it.

    Not sure what exactly you mean (to me, the data provided by the interface is very useful), but feel free to suggest improvements to Garmin: Share Ideas | Garmin 

  • I just dumped the software.  I have used it for years but they asked me to update it, now i see nothing useful on the main screen, i have to dig down to see my stats, and nothing is visible. why did i upgrade.,   now i have nothing as I took this off and i removed garmin golf while i was at it..   

  • and if work can't track this for healthcare, why bother with the steps at all. i know how many i get a day approx.  no need to track anymore., sorry garmin..