So I recently bought a 230 to replace a failed 310XT. So I dug around and found my ant stick from the old watch, but much to my surprise no joy on getting the 230 to talk to it. Any chance Garmin might add this in an update? It sure would be handier than using the cable every time I want to upload an activity. (I have no devices with a compatible bluetooth version, so bluetooth does me zero good).
If you are running windows 10 on the PC, you should be able to use GCM with a BLE dongle. This is a universal app which will work on windows 10 phone or PC.
(I have no devices with a compatible bluetooth version, so bluetooth does me zero good).
Well it was more about the PC for me, but I guess I can just get a Bluetooth 4.0 dongle and use that maybe.
You may as well just spend the money on a compatible BLE-enabled mobile device instead. I was able to get my FR235 to sync with Garmin Connect Mobile running on a mobile handset that sold as cheaply as A$29 when on special in more than one instance in the past several months. (It's still working, although I've now moved to using an Android handset as my everyday phone.) Even if you have no use for a smartphone handset, you'd still be getting more capability. Or you can get an iPad, Android tablet, etc. (but for significantly more money) to use around the house.
for testing, I got a BT 4.0 USB adapter (~$20US), and plugged it into my Win10 laptop and installed GCM/Windows on it and was able to sync.
I know someone else that tried this, but for him, GCM/Windows wouldn't install on his laptop at all (something else about his HW maybe), so that may be something you want to try before getting the adapter - and make sure it's BT 4.x, as a BT 3.x wouldn't work for me.
If you have wifi, you could also pick up a cheap android tablet (it must have BT 4.x HW and Andriod 4.3 or greater) and use that. I also use that setup for testing. I think the tablet cost me about $50US.
I appreciate all the advice folks. I do have a smartphone (iPhone 4), and an android tablet (Nexus 7) both actually. BUT, both are older devices and do not have BLE support. I'm one of those weird people that take care of their stuff so it lasts me a long time, and don't feel the need to upgrade every time an updated version comes out. I'd rather put that money into other things / hobbies instead. And, I'm still running Windows 7, don't care for Windows 10. Thanks for all the help.
The iPhone 4 has BT 3.x HW, but a iPhone 4s (IIRC) has BT 4.0 HW. The first version of the Nexus 7 also had the BT 3.x HW, but the second version of the Nexus 7 has BT 4.0 HW (I actually have both versions, and can sync with the newer one)
The iPhone 4 has BT 3.x HW, but a iPhone 4s (IIRC) has BT 4.0 HW. The first version of the Nexus 7 also had the BT 3.x HW, but the second version of the Nexus 7 has BT 4.0 HW (I actually have both versions, and can sync with the newer one)
Yep, I know, just not willing to upgrade perfectly good devices at the moment. Tethered USB it is for now I suppose.
