Recording Controls Output Format, "FIT and GPX"

Like2Hike said:

In both cases you end up with a cup of water and a cup of soda.

this not here the case

probably 90-99% of GIS applications worldwide need or at least are able to use gpx files.

Very few can use fit data, as this is proprietary format of garmin. So one is not replacement for the other and they are not compatible. GIS services will definitely not use fit files for entry in their databases. But they will be pleased to use standard gpx file.

This is the reason why there is a need for the two formats as far as geo data is concerned.

Let's go back to the analogy. You still have the two buttons, dispensing water and soda as previously described..  

90-99% of people only want soda. They are free to discard water.  People who want to just drink water, can discard soda, and people who want both can have both.

Why have two buttons?

P.S. For the 31st time, this isn't about the need for soda or water, it's about the need for the two buttons.

simple:

there is no way to get soda if you do not get water

so all will get water if they want or not (fit) and those who want extra soda, can add gas to it with other control

so you have to have fit, because this is the only way you can get gpx

you have no option to have gpx only as it used to be with older devices just few years ago.

In fact, the older inreach devices had no output files simply reachable by the user at all, I have to export gpx data from the explore website if our GIS need it.

I agree this is not exactly for technical reason, but for political, as the manufacturer did decide it this way and I as customer can have it or leave it

I have to push for water and push for gas if I want soda

No, you get the same amount of soda or water with each push of the button. One doesn't deliver more or less of one or the other.

You can have just soda or water by discarding that which you don't want. 

You can do FIT only, convert to GPX and discard the FIT, leaving only GPX.

Or you can save both, discard the FIT, and then move the archived GPX to favorites, leaving only GPX.

It's the same outcome.

You might like one button over the other button (emotion), but the outcome is the same (logic).

no you can not have only gpx

you have to have fit, as this is the continuous output. you can check yourself.

you have to first save the fit to be able to get gpx file

there is no either or there

when both files are created and saved, only then you have a choice to delete one of them. You can not delete the fit file and think you will have gpx file remaining anyway. In fact this was one of my mistakes i made, I deleted the fit file before the gpx file was created from it. Then no gpx file will exist. You have to terminate the fit file and when saved, at this time the conversion is made. Not before unfortunately.

This is why I was confused when looking for my gpx file and there was non. I thought no need for activity fit file, so get rid off it, I use only gpx. Bad luck, it does not work this way. It converts only complete closed file.

So initially, I also had some impression all works in paralell somehow, activity growing, gpx growing. Unfortunately this is not true.