Garmin/Garmin Connect !@$%^&#$)

Garmin Express is only used to check and update your equipment, it's not needed for uploading. If it's popping up at times when you don't want it to then change the Express settings to only pop up when YOU want it to.

Not sure why you are unable to edit an activity, about 15 minutes ago I just uploaded an activity - did a full edit and then "finished" (saved) the activity. I do have a Strava account and they do have some nice features like shoe tracking, and the week to week "balloon" mileage tracker, I can't say that the program is easy to use. Wait until the "Modern" version of Connect is finished before you pass judgement.

Garmin Express is only used to check and update your equipment, it's not needed for uploading.

Intermediary software, such as Garmin Express, ANT Agent, or Garmin Communicator, is necessary to communicate with many Garmin Fitness devices. For example you can't get any workout data off of a Forerunner 910XT without something to talk to the device over ANT+.

One could dream that Garmin would allow their future devices to connect to other devices (PC, Mac, phone, tablet) over bluetooth to access the file system on the device directly. I have doubts that this would ever happen, but it would be wonderful if I could just enable bluetooth on my laptop, turn on my device, and access the files on it as if it were another computer on my wireless network.

Travis

Intermediary software, such as Garmin Express, ANT Agent, or Garmin Communicator, is necessary to communicate with many Garmin Fitness devices. For example you can't get any workout data off of a Forerunner 910XT without something to talk to the device over ANT+. ...

That's odd, then again I only using a Forerunner 210 and a Edge 500, both use Connect to upload, I only open Express every so often when I feel like it's time to check for updates. Being able to upload just by getting close to your computer would be cool but a hassle too, what if you always store your device right next to your computer? Wouldn't it be constantly trying to check for new events?

I'm not sure how the 210 and 500 communicate their data to Garmin Connect. Each device is different. Some connect to a mobile device via Bluetooth, and then the software on the mobile device uploads the data to Garmin Connect. Apparently others use WiFi and upload the data directly. Some require an ANT+ dongle and a personal computer, and others require connecting via a USB cable.

As for the auto-download thing, it is pretty handy to be able to walk into the house, set your watch down and have the upload happen automatically. You can disable this in the watch settings, or disconnect the ANT+ stick in some cases, or do the obvious and turn you device off when you put your device down next to your computer.

Travis

Your lucky....

I can't even get connect to open correctly!! Just end up with a blue screen with sod all on it!
And when i do manage to get back to the old interface its ass corrupt and most links don't work!

I wonder if garmin actually test any of there software? or is it just up to us to find all the bugs and hope they fix them?
Getting very P***d at all things garmin at the moment.

Polar is starting to look very attractive.....

ANDYP74 - Which browser are you using? It sounds like some problems that were plaguing Safari 5 a while back, but should be resolved.

As for Garmin Express and uploading activities. Once your Edge 500 has been successfully added to Garmin Express, you don't actually need to "open" Garmin Express to upload your activities. Simply connecting your Edge to your computer will cause Garmin Express to automatically upload any new activities in the background. You may notice a small notification bubble to pop-up alerting you that your new activities have been upload to Garmin Connect.

If the above isn't happening, something has gone awry.

The biggest issue with Garmin is ZERO customer support.

I know they don't read forums. This is bad, really bad but at least we know that this isn't a official communication channel.

I have currently 2 open issues via official channel of support - web form.

First was opened 23/04 - more than 2 weeks ago! Since that I've got copy-paste email with standard suggestions, like reset device. I've replied that it isn't device bug, but Garmin Connect but never got reply back. I did half job for them - localised the problem. But no reply at all..
Second issue opened 3 days ago - no word on that.

I can't believe that paid service has such poor (close to none) customer support. Most of free services have times better support. I was on Garmin last 4 years, but my next device will be Polar/Shuunto/TomTom name it. I'm ready to have less features on device but I need adequate support.

Compare RK website evolution during last 4 years and Garmin Connect. I just switched to "modern" Garmin connect. Modern means flat, more contrast and very confusing navigation. Now for some actions I need 2-3 clicks instead of one. And it is just a redesign, not a major upgrade. I haven't noticed any new features, but noticed missing ones (as VO2max). I'd call it rather regress than progress.

Again, all bugs, missing features etc will be understandable if Garmin communicate to users, who paid hundreds if not thousands $/€ for their devices. Car devises market is nearly lost for Garmin and Tomtom with new players - smartphones and pre-installed GPS. If Garmin won't change - they loose sport and adventure market.