Garmin Connect and Linux

There is an unofficial version of the Garmin Communicator plugin for Linux. See http://www.andreas-diesner.de/garminplugin/doku.php
It supports the Edge 800 and Forerunner 310XT.

For loading routes on the Edge 800, you can just copy a route file to the Garmin\NewFiles folder. It should work with FIT, GPX and TCX files.

Thanks for the info!

I've got the Linux Garmin Connect plugin installed ok, but looks like I need an ANT+ driver. Do you know where I can get one?

One of these might work for ANT+ on Linux, it seems they support the 310XT:
https://code.google.com/p/antpm/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/frant/

Thanks! One more question - is there any way to do a firmware update for the Edge 800 or the Forerunner 310XT under Linux??

For the Edge 800, you can download the firmware here, as a GCD file: http://www.gawisp.com/perry/edge/
Plug the Edge into your computer, then copy the firmware file onto the "Garmin" folder on the Edge.
Then disconnect the Edge, and switch it on. It should upgrade the firmware.

Don't know if this is possible for the 310XT.

The Windows installer for the Fenix beta 4.01 was a thin wrapper around the GCD file, and unzip unwrapped it just fine on OS X. It should do the same on Linux. Download the Windows installer and see if unzip liberates the GCD file.

I find it amazing that a guy in his spare time can provide support for us linux users but Garmin still refuses to. Looks like the new software for Garmin connect (Garmin Express) doesn't work with linux as well :(

While I think the Forerunner 310xt is a fabulous device it seems like those individuals who are more advanced technologically and are running solid open source software end up getting screwed. While those running O/S prone to viruses and malware get the easy way out. I bought this device based on reviews both peer and professional. Clearly the professoinals in most cases are wolves in sheeps clothing because they forget about those who are running some flavour of *nix.

I had so many nightmares with Windows over the years that last summer I vowed never to go back - primarily because it took me over four hours to unsall the O/S, and I won't because it is prone to many problems. I will not go back and I think that unless other *nix users start speaking up. There will never be support for a product running under an 0/S that runs most of the webservers globally.

The Mac platform is in fact a *nix rooted platform for some time now.. When will you take the time to look at people who are not simple users of one O/S or another. In fact so many commercial appications are not running neither Windows or Mac O/S.

Clearly, it seems to me that Garmin doesn't really care about its customers. Or it only cares about a critical mass that makes it a lot of money on its good products, but can't consider another sector of its potetial market!

This is my two cents, after not even be able "to go for a run" and upload data. I realized a few years ago that I need tech as a motivator to track my progress, but last summer when my smart phone and computer went tits up at the same time, I vowed to find a simpler solution. No need for us to have smart phones when simpler solutions exist, or so I though!

At the very least appropriat code should be released under a GNU license to make at least Garmin Connect available for *nix users.

I'm in fact very disappointed...

Bill

I think Garmin hired some Microsofties a bit of time ago. I think that was when they removed Google maps and put in Bing, until the uproar forced them to add Google maps back.

As a workaround I use Uploader http://www.sportablet.com/mobile-garmin-uploader.html which allows me to upload to my Android phone, and from there to Garmin Connect and Running Ahead (as well as many other places.)

It is certainly better than having to screw around with Garmin Connect.

As an *nix administrator, I understand your frustrations. *nix operating systems are vastly superior in many aspects, but they have a major flaw that you may not be considering: SUPPORT.

How many flavors of *nix are there? Several hundreds (http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=popularity), many of which are flavors of major distros such as Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, etc. Can you imagine, can you possibly conceive, do you dare to dream about what supporting general public users (generally technically slow) across several hundred operating systems? Which release are they on? What's kernal are they running? What's the Java version? Are they using IcedTea? How confident are you with assisting people with command line syntax? Are the drivers operational? Can your users even gain root?

It would be an absolute nightmare to support less than 2% of desktop computer users.