Linux/Cross Platform support

Update of GPS devices?

I'm a recent (6 months and counting) convert to Linux on my home PC and would love to upload tracks from my Edge 305 into Garmin connect.

Am also thinking of updating an old TomTom in the car and a Polar running watch but unless I find a Linux solution the new devices will not be Garmin.

Shame as in every other way they are superb :(

You can download the firmware files directly from
www8.garmin.com/.../<device-name>_<version>.gcd
e.g. <device-name> = Edge500 and <version> = 230.
Of course you have to agree to the Software License Agreement implicitly to do that!
Then save the file as gupdate.gcd in folder Garmin.

Currently at least for my Legend HCx it doesn't work so (anymore?). For Download I get only a eTrexLegendHCx_310.exe and if I unpack it, their is a *.rgn-File and a updater.exe. There I find no *.gcd. How is the device name for Legend I have to type ? If I try http://www8.garmin.com/software/TrexLegendHCx_310.gcd I got redirected to by.garmin.com Or doesn't work update this way anymore? :confused:

Simply put, Garmin doesn't need to support Linux because Garmin already got your money when you bought the GPS! At this point, you are just an expense. And... people who prefer the penguin keep coming back, so why should they change?

Disagree.

First, nothing wrong with Unix users letting Garmin know that they are there and would like support. Unix OSs will form an increasingly bigger part of the home user market in the years to come.

Second, providing this level of support shouldn't be an onerous task for Garmin. There are individuals out there putting together work arounds, it therefore shouldn't be beyond Garmin's technical expertise nor be demanding time wise.

It just reads to me that Garmin are sticking to their strategy for the sake of it. Maybe it's time they reviewed it?

+1 unsatisfied customer. found this thread searching for Linux workarounds.

...and found information on globalsat... looks interesting & price-competitive. These units are going for $250 on ebay right now if you search. Here's a link to the info
http://www.gs-sport.com/products.php?en_product_id=1

Interesting...

GH-505 GPS Outdoor Training Watch
* Slim type compact and watch design
* Built-in SiRF Star III LPx high performance GPS chipset.
* Qualcomm reflective and high display resolution embedded, which performs distinct display at outdoor without backlight
* Trainer mode : assistant trainers to improve performance
* Support both analog and digital watch mode and clock alarm function and can be used as real watch over 1 week.
* Built in rechargeable Li-ion poly battery
* Over 9 hours in operation
* Support virtual trainer and muti-sport.
* Embedded ANT 2.4GHz protocol which supports heart rate and bike&#8217; cadence sensor

EDIT: Watch for GH-625XT ... Actual Linux support:
http://www.gs-sport.com/forum.html

I hate to break this to you, but even if people from Garmin read these forums daily, all the "+1" responses in the world aint gonna change their strategy to support Linux. Garmin is a for-profit company, making decisions based on... wait for it.... profitability.

Simply put, Garmin doesn't need to support Linux because Garmin already got your money when you bought the GPS! At this point, you are just an expense. And... people who prefer the penguin keep coming back, so why should they change?

By that reasoning they've got no reason to keep hosting these forums, or garmin connect... or all sorts of other things that they do.

The reason to support more platforms is that it drive sales. As you say, they're here to make money, so the question is whether the cost of developing and maintaining support for new platforms would be covered by the increased revenue.

That's hard to gauge - but at least people expressing a view here gives another datum.

My last sports watch was a polar, now I use a 310XT. About the only thing I boot windows for is to pull data of the watch. If one of the big sports watch manufacters had proper linux support it would certainly be a feature that would make a difference when I eventually get a new watch.

I second the call for Linux Support, I've using Linux since 1996 and will never change.

+1 vote!

Can we not even get the technical docs to port it ourselves?

I also would love to see more Linux support from Garmin...

I need a new GPS and found this thread when checking Linux compatibility of the various manufacturers.

No support for Linux by Garmin: a HUGE minus; and the only reason I will not buy a Garmin. I hope Garmin people read this thread ...:mad:

Al_