Noobie question: starting a timed GPS activity

Former Member over 6 years ago

This should be straightforward, but I don't yet have the knack.... What is the correct procedure for starting a GPS activity?
1. I click the GPS button to see the list of activities, and I scroll to the activity I want, and click the GPS button, which starts a brief search for satellites.
2. I wait for the checkmark under "GPS" in the eye screen, signifying GPS satellites have been acquired.
3. At that point, do I click the GPS button again to signal the start of the activity or do I just start walking/running?

I seem to always get it wrong. At step #3, if I just stand there, the Pace number shows as some non-zero number even while the Distance and Time numbers are zero.
- If I click the GPS button, it seems to start registering my activity correctly, but just for a few seconds, and then it pauses. Or it displays the Resume/Save menu, as if my press of the GPS button had paused the activity but it was registering that a few seconds late.
- If I do not click the GPS button and just start walking/running, I *think* the Time and Distance numbers remain zero. (I should check that to be sure.)

I'd appreciate guidance from someone more patient than me! Thanks.

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0 seilogramp over 6 years ago

Think of the GPS button as your "enter" key.

From the main screen press the GPS button
Press up or down to get to the sport you want, then press GPS button again to select that sport
Wait for GPS (go outside if necessary)
Press the GPS button again to start the timer and begin tracking your movement. This is signified by the right pointing arrow (triangle)
When you've completed the activity press GPS
From there you can either resume, discard, or save by pressing up or down. After making your selection, press GPS to resume, save, or discard.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Thanks, seilogramp! I think that the mistake I have been making is this:
In your 4th step:

Press the GPS button again to start the timer and begin tracking your movement. This is signified by the right pointing arrow

I did press the GPS button and saw the right-pointing arrow (triangle), but I mistakenly assumed that the right-pointing triangle was just like the "Play" button on a music/video player (also a right-pointing triangle!): I thought it meant that I should press the GPS button to "play" (start timing) the activity. But I know see that it means the opposite of that. It means that the activity is already "playing" (active). Now I think I have it right, although I think Garmin could have used a different icon to indicate the activity is in process.
Thanks!

0 seilogramp over 6 years ago

I can see why you would think that. But yeah, right pointing arrow means you're recording the activity now.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Like wise when u press GPS to pause recording, it displays a square icon to show it’s in pause state. I always have to remember not to press again. It’s a bit confusing but you’ll get used to it after a while.