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Discovery Points Idea (Trail) – Gamification & Route Exploration in Garmin Connect

Merlinox
1 month ago

Hello everyone,

I’d like to share an idea that could make Garmin Connect even more engaging for runners: Discovery Points.

How It Works

  • Every time a user runs a new route, they earn Discovery Points.
  • These points contribute to ranks, fostering a fun and competitive experience.
  • A personalized user map would track all the routes a runner has completed, allowing them to see their progress over time.

Benefits

White check mark Motivation to explore – Encourages runners to try new routes and break out of their routine.
White check mark Stronger community engagement – Leaderboards and rankings could add a competitive edge.
White check mark Better training insights – A personal heatmap of completed routes helps users analyze where they’ve run and identify areas still to explore.
White check mark Old and new route -  It helps runners plan and diversify their training

What do you think? Would you find this useful?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

  • 0 1 month ago
    Merlinox said:
    I’d like to share an idea

    I recommend submitting the request on the Garmin Ideas page.

  • 0 1 month ago

    You might want to take a look at VeloViewer. This provides some of the elements you suggest. It is fed by Strava data but I simply use Strava (free version) as a way of getting data from Connect to VeloViewer. There is a small annual charge. 

  • 0 1 month ago
    Merlinox said:
    Stronger community engagement – Leaderboards and rankings could add a competitive edge.

    Besides what and suggested, you can also consider joining a Group (or several groups) in Garmin Connect. Preferably select an active large group, either a local group, or a global group dedicated to sports you do. Active groups create frequent challenges, post courses, and there are leaderboards and rankings as well.

    Another feature that can help with the motivation are Segments, which offer several types of leaderboards - your own one (ranking of all your runs through the segment), as well as for group members, and also global leaderboards (either uncategorized, or specifically for age and gender categories)

    Merlinox said:
    Better training insights – A personal heatmap of completed routes helps users analyze where they’ve run and identify areas still to explore.

    A kind of personal heatmap is possible to view in Garmin Explore. This app may be also useful for exploring and planning more routes around you.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to trux

    I knew Explore only as an old abandoned tool for mapping for windows.
    Thank you: I'll study it.

    The gamification is a suggestion a gave to Garmin but personally I'm completely not interested on it, as I completely ignore rank on Strava's segments.

    My main goal remains without an answer: a map with all my routes together ;)

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Merlinox
    Merlinox said:
    My main goal remains without an answer: a map with all my routes together

    That's on Explore. And it is not an abandoned app. Although it feels outdated, it is still actively developed. And if you prefer working on a computer, there is a web-based variant, similarly as with Connect, too: https://explore.garmin.com/Map 

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Merlinox

    I'm don't understanding so wheel the benefits of Explore then Garmin Connect. But I'll continue to study it.I'm not understanding the benefits of Explore versus Garmin Connect, but I'll continue to study it.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to trux

    I'm checking it. My 965 is trying to sync via my Android fro many minutes. Waiting.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Merlinox

    Explore was designed specifically for outdoor sports, with the focus on mapping. Besides others, an important difference is that unlike Connect, it does not need an active Internet connection, so you can use it offline too.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to trux

    Synchro is ended. It imported to Explore all the courses I have on my device, but not all my activities.
    It should be great to move from Connect (not from the device) selected activities (for example all or some trail running activities) to explore map.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to Merlinox

    Explore syncs outdoor activities available on your watch. If there are some missing, you can export them from Connect, unzip, and put back on the watch (into the folder //GARMIN/NewFiles, or even directly into //GARMIN/Activity). TBH, I do not use Explore much, so there may be also other ways - I recommend posting your questions about Explore on one of the Explore forums that you find in the parent section of this forum.