Garmin, your users deserve a response

I dislike the Bing maps as much as anybody. But no amount of gnashing of teeth, wailing or abusing Garmin is going to affect a change. At the end of the day, Garmin Connect is just a convenient website that Garmin provides for post activity data analysis. It is not, and never has been the best. Just like GTC - and if you think GC maps are bad, how about GTC?

Separate the hardware, which is generally pretty good, from the software, which is pretty average and look elsewhere for far better solutions for activity data analysis.

There's far better things to do than beat your head against a brick wall. Unless of course you don't have anything better to do.

I'm off out for a bike ride.

And in case you think Polar are an better with their software - http://goo.gl/ZSNJN

Different problems, but similar frustrations.

I did receive reply from Garmin Support in this issue, I will not include their text, but they refer to several factors (not indicated) that made them take this decision, but they feel confident that will improve their service in the future.

It leaves me the sensation that they are working on something new hopefully better than Google Maps, but I don´t know for how long we will be dealing with "BOING" MAPS, still I think that the 310 is a GPS device after all, therefore maps are the main focus, and they´ve made the wrong decision by replacing GM with Bing.

It seems we are on the road to no where by now.:confused:

I love how they realize that bing maps are not as good as google and still try to present them to users as an upgrade. Useless is what they are, at least around my parts of the world.

On 24 November 2010 a Garmin customer stated that he received an email from Garmin's Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Mr. Dan Bartel, who wrote:

"I recognize that Bing maps are not as good as Google maps, but there are others issues that forced us to move in this direction.
Regards,
Dan"

I wonder why they lie then when some users receive a message saying that: "Garmin Connect users will continue to enjoy all of the familiar mapping features and functions that bring more than 40 million saved activities to life,"

Standard response to all is that everything is fine, and then Bartel admits it's an inferior app.......

[facepalm]

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/12/swimsense-fr410-garmin-connect-bing-and.html

In the meantime, I’ve talked with the folks at Garmin regarding it, and you should see something in the morning from them posted publically. I’ll be following up a bit later on with my thoughts based on their public response, probably on Thursday.

FYI :- http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2010/12/the-latest-on-garmin-connect-terrain-view-compare-activities-like-buttons.html

LisaFox16, thanks for the link regarding the update. While adding the terrain view satisfies one of my main issues, I think a much larger problem lies with the reliability/availability of Bing maps.

Quoted from the blog:
"...we realize that there have been many negative experiences in the process, especially for users in specific areas."

"Specific areas" actually are most of the world outside of the United States when speaking to Bing maps. Singapore, Australia? Pretty important, developed countries for most (with Garmin users too), but unavailable or unreliable in the Bing environment.

If MS has Garmin in a sling, I'd at least try to make Google maps a user defined choice. It would be best for your global user community, and might appease the Beast in Redmond.

Chris

Just had a look at GC http://connect.garmin.com/activity/58813251 for this run on The Kepler track. I don't walk on water!! I don't expect much for runs out in the bush, but at least Google maps keep my feet dry - http://www.runningfreeonline.com/act/430288/subView/Map

So, despite the 'improvement', still not good enough.

FYI :- http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2010/12/the-latest-on-garmin-connect-terrain-view-compare-activities-like-buttons.html

I have looked at the updated site but cannot find the terrain view feature, am I missing something?