Should I export routes created with Ride with GPS in FIT or TCX format? I have been exported them as TCX files then transferring them to the NEW folder on the Edge 1030. I note the Ride with GPS also has an option to export to FIT format. Would this be better?
No difference at all. For fit, tcx, or gpx (track).
The data is just a list of coordinates ordered by time (a track). Fit, tcx, gpx (track) are just different formats for the same data.
Tcx files (and fit) can contain "course points", which the gpx files don't have.
"Course points" are turn instructions embedded in the file. They are mostly intended for units that don't use maps.
"Turn guidance" is the big white arrows. Those turn instructions are calculated (determined) by the device by following the track (which is the same for the different file formats). Turn guidance is separate form course points.
Yes, TCX is bigger but that really doesn’t matter.
TCX is a text file (human readable). FIT is binary; It’s much more compact.
They have the same data and work the same way.
The Edges convert the TCX files to FIT.
There really isn’t much of a reason not to use FIT.
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The following stuff won’t matter for most people.
TCX is easier to work with if you want to write programs to provide few/use/change the data.
The FIT files produced by RWGPS for trips (recorded activities) are a bit broken: they can’t be opened by other programs. They work fine on the Edges. The route FIT files produced by RWGPS don’t have any issues.
