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New HR Recovery interface is bad

Levon
over 4 years ago

TL;DR: Information that was automatically and readily available now requires a series of button pushes and is cumbersome. Nothing is gained by this change. I've been using Garmin watches since 2006 - this is a step backwards.

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I know this has been addressed as part of a different thread, but I think it deserves it's own thread.

I just came back from a run. Previously this would have happened:

  • Stop my watch and start walking as part of my cool-down
  • After 2 minutes exactly, my recovery HR would pop up consistently and automatically (giving me a meaningful basis for comparison with previous runs), and I would stop my cool-down walk and start stretching.
  • I could dismiss it with one button push.

Total number of button pushes: 1  - couldn't have been easier.

Now:

  • Stop my watch and start walking as part of my cool-down
  • 5 button-down pushes to check for recovery HR - it doesn't pop up automatically and consistently after 2 minutes.
    It's there, but how quickly? It seemed to be available immediately. Usually recovery HR is taken after a minute, Garmin has done it after two minutes for years (which is cool) .. now when does it get measured? I didn't wait two minutes to look for it. And is it measured continuously? 
  • And I have to then navigate back to where I was before with several additional button pushes.

Total number of button pushes: 6 or more, and no automatic display, not intuitive or easy.

And, sadly, this information is STILL not made available in the Connect app or on the web, if so, I wouldn't mind the poorer interface now.

I understand this was done because some people were pausing their activity, and then disliked having to have to dismiss the automatic recovery HR screen. If you are pausing for more than two minutes (this is rare for me, and probably most), then I think you can muster an additional button push. Let's say this affect 3% (or 10%) of all activities. 

Everyone (100%) who was getting the recover HR automatically at the end of their activity now has to push the buttons at least 6 times to get this info - doesn't seem like a good trade-off (or UI design).  I love the Garmin interfaces usually, esp on the watches in the last few years. They have been incredibly intuitive. I just helped a friend who switched from an Apple watch to a 235 and she picked it right up. But this is a step backward.

Please make the recover HR available in the connect app/web and consider going back to the previous way (or at least making this an option).

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Yes, I know this is a first-world problem, but it's a small device and UI considerations matter. I've been using Garmins for a long time and have enjoyed the progress they have made. I'd like them to continue in that direction.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to jmto

    How is it I knew when I first responded to this thread that you'd chime in with some ridiculous reply?  Is it because you make it a habit of posting why you think someone else's personal preference is wrong and doesn't matter?  First you told everyone why they didn't need LTE on the 955.  Then it was how running power was an "imaginary" number.  Now, the new method of recovery HR isn't what I want either.  Give it a rest.  Your post have become boring.  There's nothing wrong with having a difference in option.  It's a problem when you think you speak for everyone and their options don't matter.  You responded to a thread that says the new recovery HR interface is bad.  Well, please enlighten us with your wisdom and tell us why it's bad?  How is this a negative thing that affects us users?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to who knows
    who knows said:
    Well, please enlighten us with your wisdom and tell us why it's bad?  How is this a negative thing that affects us users?

    I've said how it is bad. It requires much more pressing of the buttons which is troublesome. I've emailed Garmin about how to make it better.

    https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-945/235809/phased-rollout-20---forerunner-945-sw-5-00/1119595#1119595

    Of course there are also other options to make it better, but basic thing is that you need to have less button presses. That is usually improvement, not adding much more presses and call it an improvement. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Why not add an option to select the method of HR recovery? So everybody will be happy. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to jmto
    jmto said:
    It requires much more pressing of the buttons which is troublesome.
    trou·ble·some
    /ˈtrəbəlsəm/
     
    adjective
    1. causing difficulty or annoyance.

    Please tell us all how this is a problem and causing difficulty or annoyance in your life?  Is the extra button pressing causing a medical issue with you?  Fatigue perhaps?  

    jmto said:
    I've said how it is bad.

    Exactly my point.  You don't get to decide what's "bad" for everyone.  It's your option, not a fact.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to who knows
    who knows said:
    1. causing difficulty or annoyance.

    Please tell us all how this is a problem and causing difficulty in your life?

    If you noticed there's also that "annoyance" meaning? But it's more difficult now to end the activity. I need to press down four times, to get "Recovery HR", then start to select, that's 5 button presses, then when it's done I need to press back, that 6, then I need to press up three times, that 9 button presses, then I can press start to save, that's 10 button presses. 

    Compared to old, I just waited, looked at the recovery or, pressed it away, pressed down, presset start and it was 3 button presses to save the activity.

    If you don't see 10 vs. 3 button presses making any difference, then you don't, to me that new process is what I called it to be, troublesome.

    who knows said:
    You don't get to decide what's "bad" for everyone.  It's your option, not a fact.

    And where have I said that my opinion would be a fact, or a truth, or applied to everyone? 

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to who knows

    And I would like to see you explaining how this new is better in your opinion? And how does it help you to remember the recovery HR? As you even didn't explain that, you just started to "Argumentum ad hominem".

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to jmto
    jmto said:
    And I would like to see you explaining how this new is better in your opinion?

    This was already explained in my earlier post.  Read it again if comprehension was an issue the first time.

    jmto said:
    If you don't see 10 vs. 3 button presses making any difference, then you don't, to me that new process is what I called it to be, troublesome.

    I'm sure Garmin will add an extra hour to your recovery time for all those annoying and troublesome button presses you have to make.  If the phone company added an extra digit to a phone number, or if your bank required a 5 digit pin instead of 4, you'd probably have a nervous breakdown with all the troublesome annoyances you'd have to face.  Here's to your health and hoping it doesn't happen.  Like I said earlier, your post have grown boring and tiresome.  Don't forget to ice, elevate and splint that finger.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to who knows
    who knows said:
    This was already explained in my earlier post.  Read it again if comprehension was an issue the first time.

    You don't explain how do you see it as reminder, as on the screen when you stop the activity there is nothing to remind of it. You just need to learn the new process which is more button presses. Maybe it will lessen the mistake saves as you learn the process and remember to do it, but in UI wise, there's nothing to remind you that there is even that "Recovery HR" option.

    And it seems to be to hard for you not to get personal.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to jmto

    Exactly, that was my point. What better reminder than something popping up on your screen automatically after a fixed time.

    Plus it is a consistent time/measurement, there's no telling when the current recovery heart rate is measured (or if it is continuous).