Garmin Connect

mloc123

Anyone check out the new updates? The elevation correction seems good, elevation was junk up until now.

Krusty_Clown

Yeah, looks like a pretty good improvement. Definitely going in the right direction.

robinph

Could be the last update for a while though as they have let the entire MotionBased/ Garmin Connect team go. They tried to re-locate them from SanFran to Kansas and the whole team said no, so they will shortly be without anyone who knows the Garmin Connect software.

Edit:

http://thegcteam.com/

menoscemo

Looks great I have to say. It even puts down the mile/km markers on the maps of your runs if you click 'laps' up in the right hand corner.

actwithoutwords

Gah. I think I was refreshing the 'site down' URL for at least half an hour before I saw this thread and wondered how everyone else had managed to get into the site. I am an idiot.
Looks pretty good alright. Though is there any way of making it remember things like turning the lap markers on, and enabling the elevation correction? A bit annoying to have to turn those things on every time I look at a new activity.

Krusty_Clown

You can actually [Edit] your activity information now too, which is a new one (so you could add an extra mile or two if you're watch failed to work (or cheat your way through the 1,000m challenge!).

I can't see the lap markers option though. Where is it?

kennyb3

dont want to start a whole new thread on garmin stuff so just wondering what sort of smoothing people use on their garmins. got a 305 the other day but the current pace is lagging behind 10secs, want to change it but looking foe advice first.

mloc123

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

You can actually [Edit] your activity information now too, which is a new one (so you could add an extra mile or two if you're watch failed to work (or cheat your way through the 1,000m challenge!).

I can't see the lap markers option though. Where is it?

That is handy, I can now stick swimming distance in...

tunney

I see that they have introduced a random number generator for those that don't have chest straps

robinph

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I can't see the lap markers option though. Where is it?

The lap thing is a check box on the top right of the map.

Krusty_Clown

Can you see it here?
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/28522471 ?

*Edit* Doesn't work in Chrome. Neither do the charts. They shouldn't have fired their QA team.

robinph

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Can you see it here?
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/28522471 ?

*Edit* Doesn't work in Chrome. Neither do the charts. They shouldn't have fired their QA team.

Yep.

In FF on Linux, will go give it a go on Chrome etc in a bit once I've finished my coffee. I've not seen the elevation updates yet though on this machine as I've not got Flash installed.

Krusty_Clown

Here's last night's run with and without elevation corrections (before and after):


It just seems to smooth out the spikes (which you'd expect).

robinph

No sign of the laps button in Chrome for me either.

It won't le me turn on the elevation corrections for some reason. Their explanation of the corrections seems to suggest that they are replacing the data the watch collects with the likes of the Nasa radar data, but will only do it by default on devices without a barometer. Seems they thing that my 405 has a barometer now.

Krusty_Clown

robinph wrote: »

No sign of the laps button in Chrome for me either.

It won't le me turn on the elevation corrections for some reason. Their explanation of the corrections seems to suggest that they are replacing the data the watch collects with the likes of the Nasa radar data, but will only do it by default on devices without a barometer. Seems they thing that my 405 has a barometer now.

I had the same with older activities (wanted to have a look at Connemarathon).
Seems to only be applicable to activities after the update. So get out there and run!

robinph

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I had the same with older activities (wanted to have a look at Connemarathon).
Seems to only be applicable to activities after the update. So get out there and run!

This was on a run from yesterday that didn't upload due to the downtime so I just had to force the upload on it. Was probably marked as old already by it having been on the PC already even though GC didn't get it until just now.

tunney

The new interface is nice. If only the HR worked it would be the full package.

mloc123

Another nice feature would be time spent in HR zones... or am I missing this somewhere?

Highway_To_Hell

Is the "Player" feature new? I don't use connect that often and just logged on for the first time in a while and noticed that you can playback your activity, nice feature as you can see what speed/elevation/HR as the distance marker moves along the map.

gilmore

Sorry for jumping in here but would anyone be able to explain to me how to set up an advanced workout on the 405? (such as Tergat's 5,4,3,2,1 session). Thanks.

robinph

Highway_To_Hell wrote: »

Is the "Player" feature new?

They have had the player thing there for a good while.

Krusty_Clown

Sure. Why not. Just cos I've read the manual, doesn't mean everyone else has to. <joke>
Download and install Garmin Training Centre.
Launch training Centre.
Go to the [Workouts Tab].
In the Left hand window, right click the [Running] tree and choose [New workout].
Enter the name of your workout (will appear on the watch) and add some notes (won't appear on the watch).

For each step (object in a workout):
Click on the Green '+' to Add an additional step (there's one there already by default).
Choose how the length of the step will be determined (e.g. 'After I go a certain distance').
If necessary provide the additional data (distance/time/HR/calories).
Generally I don't bother setting a target for the step, as it's as easy to just look at the watch (as long as the target is speed).
If it's a resting step, select [yes] otherwise [no]
If you want, add a custom name for the step (click [yes] and add custom name]. This will appear on the watch.
Finally, repeat the above steps for each 'step'.

If you have a number of steps that you wish to repeat, (setting up an interval sessions), then click on the '++' button, and don't forget to set the number of repetitions.

So, a typical Tergat session might look like:
1. Go for 00:20:00 (or go for 2 Miles) 'Warm-up
2. Go 5 miles
3. Go for 00:05:00 'Easy jog
4. Go 4 Miles
5. Go for 00:05:00 'Easy jog
etc.

When you're happy with the workout, click [ok].
From the [File] menu, select [Send to Device].
Select the workout you wish to send to the watch and click [OK]
Makre sure you have the ANT agent running, and the USB ANT+ dongle plugged into the appropriate USB port.

Tips:
for interval sessions, I'll usually have a warm-up, then I'll create an extra step called 'stretching' with an 'end when I press the lap button'. This stops you from going straight into the intervals from your warm-up, as sometimes, you may not notice or be prepared to begin your intervals.

I don't bother with setting up speeds, HR zones etc, as I find it too finicky.

gilmore

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Sure. Why not. Just cos I've read the manual, doesn't mean everyone else has to. <joke>
Download and install Garmin Training Centre.
Launch training Centre.
Go to the [Workouts Tab].
In the Left hand window, right click the [Running] tree and choose [New workout].
Enter the name of your workout (will appear on the watch) and add some notes (won't appear on the watch).

For each step (object in a workout):
Click on the Green '+' to Add an additional step (there's one there already by default).
Choose how the length of the step will be determined (e.g. 'After I go a certain distance').
If necessary provide the additional data (distance/time/HR/calories).
Generally I don't bother setting a target for the step, as it's as easy to just look at the watch (as long as the target is speed).
If it's a resting step, select [yes] otherwise [no]
If you want, add a custom name for the step (click [yes] and add custom name]. This will appear on the watch.
Finally, repeat the above steps for each 'step'.

If you have a number of steps that you wish to repeat, (setting up an interval sessions), then click on the '++' button, and don't forget to set the number of repetitions.

So, a typical Tergat session might look like:
1. Go for 00:20:00 (or go for 2 Miles) 'Warm-up
2. Go 5 miles
3. Go for 00:05:00 'Easy jog
4. Go 4 Miles
5. Go for 00:05:00 'Easy jog
etc.

When you're happy with the workout, click [ok].
From the [File] menu, select [Send to Device].
Select the workout you wish to send to the watch and click [OK]
Makre sure you have the ANT agent running, and the USB ANT+ dongle plugged into the appropriate USB port.

Tips:
for interval sessions, I'll usually have a warm-up, then I'll create an extra step called 'stretching' with an 'end when I press the lap button'. This stops you from going straight into the intervals from your warm-up, as sometimes, you may not notice or be prepared to begin your intervals.

I don't bother with setting up speeds, HR zones etc, as I find it too finicky.

Thanks for that Krusty, sorry for the hassle but i have a thing about reading manuals (i'm extremely lazy).

Krusty_Clown

gilmore wrote: »

Thanks for that Krusty, sorry for the hassle but i have a thing about reading manuals (i'm extremely lazy).

No worries. There is no greater thrill in life for me, than reading manuals. I don'r even like running.

mloc123

Reading manuals and pimping garmin...

kennyb3

kennyb3 wrote: »

dont want to start a whole new thread on garmin stuff so just wondering what sort of smoothing people use on their garmins. got a 305 the other day but the current pace is lagging behind 10secs, want to change it but looking foe advice first.

anyone? (aka krusty)

Krusty_Clown

mloc123 wrote: »

Reading manuals and pimping garmin...

Explaining how something works, to someone who has already made a purchase isn't pimping. I would have argued that I'm possibly one of Garmin's greatest critics, as I have a thorough understanding of their devices, and as such a solid understanding of their flaws. I have nothing, zilch, zero, nada to do with the Garmin company, other than having bought a number of their products in the past. Perhaps what you call 'pimping' I call being helpful.

Krusty_Clown

kennyb3 wrote: »

anyone? (aka krusty)

Most people don't use 'pace' to monitor speed as it fluctuates wildly (remember, the GPS receiver is only calculating your position once every 'x' seconds, so looking at it at a particular point in time is not really useful).

It's better to average out your pace over a certain distance. To do this:
1) Set your watch to auto-lap base don a pre-defined distance (for me it's every mile).
2) Set your data field to display lap-pace.
This'll give you your average pace for that lap. At the start of each lap, it can be a little wild, but settles down fairly quickly. If you need more granularity, you can set the auto-lap to a much shorter distance (and end up with tons of laps), but I reckon most people manage well enough with mile/kilometer laps.

mloc123

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Explaining how something works, to someone who has already made a purchase isn't pimping. I would have argued that I'm possibly one of Garmin's greatest critics, as I have a thorough understanding of their devices, and as such a solid understanding of their flaws. I have nothing, zilch, zero, nada to do with the Garmin company, other than having bought a number of their products in the past. Perhaps what you call 'pimping' I call being helpful.

meant it as a light hearted comment

Krusty_Clown

mloc123 wrote: »

meant it as a light hearted comment

You forgot the smiley face.

KentuckyPete

It would be great if you could type in a short block of text in a comment box for each training event describing how you felt or what went well or tips for the next time or whatever. AFAIK you can only do that when you enter a manual event but not for the uploaded events. That would make it a complete training diary.

Or maybe the feature is there but I can't find it?

Other than that the new interface is top class. Everything on the one screen now - I'll definitely be able to run faster because of this

Krusty_Clown

KentuckyPete wrote: »

It would be great if you could type in a short block of text in a comment box for each training event describing how you felt or what went well or tips for the next time or whatever. AFAIK you can only do that when you enter a manual event but not for the uploaded events. That would make it a complete training diary.

Or maybe the feature is there but I can't find it?

Other than that the new interface is top class. Everything on the one screen now - I'll definitely be able to run faster because of this

I've been doing that for 2.5 years! Here's today's run. Just click on quick edit, and enter text to your heart's content. I also use this to track my running shoe mileage.

robinph

The laps radio button is now working in Chrome for me.

KentuckyPete

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I've been doing that for 2.5 years! Here's today's run. Just click on quick edit, and enter text to your heart's content. I also use this to track my running shoe mileage.

Nice one. Cheers Krusty. I only ever used the edit in the activities tab - thought the other one was the same. All set now :cool:

golf998

hi all i bought a garmin fr70 and am having big trouble trying to download software on windows xp,even when i put in the usb its not showing up in my computer any one else have any similar problems tks golf998

Outkast_IRE

golf998 wrote: »

hi all i bought a garmin fr70 and am having big trouble trying to download software on windows xp,even when i put in the usb its not showing up in my computer any one else have any similar problems tks golf998

Im open to correction here but i think it needs windows xp with service pack 3 . Is your OS updated to service pack 3?

golf998

thanks for your reply i have xp 7 going to look at downloading service pack 3
will let you know

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

If the service pack update does not work also check that the device is not being blocked by your pc as i had similar issues with my edge 500 a few days ago and that was the issue.

Krusty_Clown

golf998 wrote: »

hi all i bought a garmin fr70 and am having big trouble trying to download software on windows xp,even when i put in the usb its not showing up in my computer any one else have any similar problems tks golf998

It's not a traditional USB drive. You need to install the ANT agent software, if you haven't already. When you say it's 'xp 7', do you mean it's Windows 7'? How old is the computer?

golf998

im not the brightest when it comes to computers have given the watch to a friend to see if he can sort it, computer about 4 years old has windows 7. dont tell me i need a new computer as well could be an expensive watch

Krusty_Clown

golf998 wrote: »

im not the brightest when it comes to computers have given the watch to a friend to see if he can sort it, computer about 4 years old has windows 7. dont tell me i need a new computer as well could be an expensive watch

Nah, you shouldn't need a new computer (mine is about four years old too). Windows 7 is out around 2/3 years, so unless someone upgraded your operating system, it's likely either XP or vista. Give your friend the link from my previous post and tell them they need to install the ANT agent so the USB stick can communicate with the watch. Good luck!

golf998

thanks again for all the help success at last problems were needed to update to service pack 3 also needed patch as suggested and finally usb on front of computer must be dodgy used one on back who needs garmin when you have boards:)