bmhughes says:

Just got my 405 this weekend and had my first run this morning. I keep reading how Garmin Connect will allow information to be shared in this "community" but I am either missing it or that feature is not there. What's the deal? Also, how do I add courses? If I run a specific route, how do I access that route to run it again?

BTW, looks like a cool site.

 Nordy says:

the courses thing did my head in till I realised you have to save your route as a course in training centre then once thats done select upload to my device

to save the course right click on the activity (on the left) and select create course from activity. once created go to the courses tab and click on the course so its highlighted then click on the send to device button in the top tool bar :D

 Smothers says:

Hi, does this website allow you to upload directly from Garmin products also????

I don't see anything to allow you to synch up.

 Nordy says:

not yet, Chris is working on it though :D

 paoloboza says:

Chris, come on!!!! Can you imagine? This site will be the only one that support Garmin and nike+. Italian runners can't wait to see the 405
supported here!

 CanuckRunner says:

Yeah, I actually thought it was already supported, since I've seen profile pics and such of the Garmins throughout the site. I'm currently using the Nike+/iPod, but was looking to get a Garmin 405 as my "reward" for completing my first 1/2 marathon (assuming I DO complete it! LOL!). Maybe I should rethink that??

 alwagner says:

Is there any other software other then the Garmin software that will use the data from a 405?

 WileBEERCoyote says:

Alwagner,
the Ascent program ("www.montebellosoftware.com/index.html") for the mac is one (good) example of a program directly connecting to the Garmin devices.

 GaryW says:

alwagner,
I have been using Sport Tracks for several months now. It will not only log all the information about your days running including the weather and temperature but will give you a street map or satellite image of your route. www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks

 RunnerGirl77 says:

I've heard that Garmin has been having "issues" getting their new support site up and running. The 405 users that can access it have complained of slow response and uploads. The 305 users are still with MotionBased, which while it lacks a community like this one, is quick to upload and respond. It's also great for data analysis. I just hope that they don't dumb down the MotionBased site once the full transition is done and they are one with Garmin.

I wish that there was a way to upload info from my Garmin Forerunner 305 here. Am I right that you are still considering offering Garmin support in the future?

 CarpeViam says:

RunnerGirl77: The community at Motionbased is pretty cool. Nice people. The main problem has been Garmin's idea of support. And their programming is not so hot. Now that Garmin and Microsoft are teaming up I can only expect things to worsen.

This site looks great and yes he's working on Garmin support for uploads etc.

Conclusion... garmin hardware is awesome, software sucks. Sites like this are terrific.

 RunnerGirl77 says:

Carpe Viam: I agree on the Garmin Training Center. I use Garmin MapSource Topo for hiking, and was shocked how much LESS GTC offered over their Topo software. The transition for MotionBased has produced nothing but woe from what I've heard, and that's disheartening, as MotionBased is a favorite of mine for sharing runs in different areas. Now Microsoft is getting into it too? It sounds like there are too many chefs in the kitchen to me. Thank goodness we have RunnerPlus; I can't wait until I can hook up my Garmin here.

Which Forerunner do you use?

 CarpeViam says:

RunnerGirl: Ditto for me on everything you said. I very much like the 'Trail Digest' feature of Motionbased. It incorporates nicely as an RSS feed to my blog as well.

The transition to Garmin Communicator from Motionbased is a disaster. No support on the new site yet for Forerunner 205/305 and the Motionbased site was down for uploads all weekend, and the forum was sketchy too.

I have the Forerunner 205 and will upgrade to the 305 when I can. I think the 305 plus all the addons for it would be the prefect tool. I'm staying away from the 405 because it doesn't have all of the features of the 305.

As a 205 user I found in shortsighted of Garmin not to let us manually enter heart rate info into TC. I have a Polar HRM

So I'm with you... RunnerPlus is going to be the hot item. If it can be used by Garmin and Nike. It's already ahead of Nike by letting us enter our runs manually. I am already participating in a challenge group with info from my Garmin. Something I couldn't do on the Nike+ site.

 RunnerGirl77 says:

CarpeViam: I think this answers my quandry as to whether or not to buy into the Nike+ system. I've been very happy with the Forerunner 305. As long as I've got SportTracks software on the home computer, and MotionBased (for as long as it lasts) online, I can wait until Runner+ can give me the capacity to upload directly from the unit. Until then, I'll type the workouts in here manually, so I can work on a Challenge.

BTW, thanks on the tip about adding workouts manually. I'm new here, and hadn't yet figured that out.

 CarpeViam says:

RuunerGirl77: Also check out what Alwagner pointed to, Ascent at www.montebellosoftware.com/index.html It's great!

 Mihai says:

I think it might be useful to share with you the method I used to upload the Forerunner 405 with a planned course (you never ran before).
This should prevent you from getting lost when running in a new place.
I succesfully used the method during my recent vacation.

1. Use www.mapmyrun.com to create a course you intend to follow.
2. Save it (button on top of the map window) to the Garmin tcx format.
3. Set the pace you estimate for your run (the option is on the left split of your map window) and download the course to your PC.
4. Use the default Training Center on your PC to import the tcx file
5. Switch to the course tab and upload it into your Forerunner.

On your watch, the Navigation screen (under the GPS menu) will show you an arrow with the correct direction to follow while you run. Be as accurate as possible (zoom in) when you create the course since ~20m error will give you an "off course" message.

I hope it helps!

If you have a better method please share it with us.

 Nick68 says:

Mihai, Thanks for this detailed description. I'm sure it will get in handy in the nere future.
I question though, are you able to record your training while you are in this Navigation screen?

 RunnerGirl77 says:

Mihai, I also use MapSource, the mapping software produced by Garmin, to create courses beforehand as well. It's a step above the Trainer software that comes with the Forerunners, and because I already own the topo software, I can create trail courses as well. Of course, to get all the streets and topo info, you'd have to purchase the program. I have it as I use it extensively with my handheld hiking units (also by Garmin).

Nick68, as long as you have pressed the "Start" button, the Garmin is recording your run data, no matter what screen you are on, including the Navigation or compass screen. It will continue recording until you either press the Start/Stop button again or turn the unit off.

 Nick68 says:

Thanks RunnerGirl, then I know.

 Mihai says:

Thanks RunnerGirl,

I tried Mapsource, but, as you mentioned, the default maps are very basic. I can imagine you have to purchase the full package, otherwise the course creation is impossible.
www.mapmyrun.com has (for the time being) the advantage of the free use of Google Maps and Google Earth exports with all the well known details.