Garmin Training Center vs. SportsTracks

[lourodrigis]

I purchased a Garmin 205 back in September. I love the device but I am not impressed with the software (Garmin Training Center). I am someone who spends a lot of my time working with maps and the Garmin mapping interface and features are horrible. I cannot believe how bad the mapping features are considering this is from a company that designs GPS mapping software for vehicles. I'm also disappointed with the fact that the device/software is not compatible with many of the popular mapping services, like Google Maps. You also cannot convert your Garmin data (.tcx files) directly to other formats such as .gpx, .kml, or .xml.

Garmin Training Center seems like an application that Garmin just through together after spending most of their time/energy on developing the harware. I'm impressed with the hardware (compact design, great GPS reception) but I am someone that likes to analyze data and they missed the boat on this feature.

I found a few web sites that convert the Garmin data to GPX and Google format but I don't like having to do all the work myself.

Well, I have found a program that is the answer to all of my problems with Garmin, SportsTrack. Garmin should take a look at this software and take copius notes because this program blows Garmin Training Center away. I don't know if anyone out these is using this program but I thought I would post some info about this product because I am very impressed so far.

• better GUI
• more intuitive features
• on the fly intergration with Google Maps, Terraserver, and USGS
• FREE (for now)

This is a web-based (.Net) program so you will need to install MS .Net 2.0 and be connected to the Internet to get all of these features. This is not a concern for me but may be for some. The link to the latest version of SportsTrack is below.

http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks/

P.S. - I don't work for these guys but I am very impressed with their work.

 

[SilverE]

Hi Lou,

I also have been using SportTracks since August for my 305. I just updated to their new beta version; the old version couldn't even give you your splits. I don't do any analysis; I just like the interface and the way the data is presented.

I may be mistaken, but I thought I read somewhere that Garmin is going to abandon their Training Center program; either selling it off or overhauling. Can't remember where I saw that, though.

Happy training.

 

[JimB.]

I REALLY like this program. One of my favorite features is that it allows you to manually enter a workout.

I have a Cateye bike computer on my road bike that can't download to my PC.

I just keep a couple of notes on my route, manually draw in the route using the satellite or aerial photo feature & Voila'! Manually enter total time & it does the rest.

 

[cewait]

-All-

I use 4 softwares

I use Garmin Training Center. I only use it because it boots up when I plug in the garmin. It will alert me when the frimware needs upgrading. Other than that, it's worth exactly what I paid for it.

I use MotionBased.com. Mostly free and has a little better mapping. Di not pay for the upgrade analysis tools as they are weak and better with Sport Tracks. It does have a few cool things like being able to share a workout and compare races and workouts against one another. Garmin pruchased MotionBased about a year ago (I think on the timing)

I use sport tracks. I find the graphics on this to be the better of the three. I use the plits graphical analysis to look at where my efforts break down, where my HR starts to escalate, etc.

I use TrainingPeaks. This is just a data repository unless you subscribe. I subscribed as the subscription came with an IM training plan. I like the calendar and reporting function of this software. It also attempts to bring nutrition into the mix, though that part remains a little weak. Saying that, there is a great feature in food tracking. You can puchase a scanner so that you can scan in the foods you eat. I thought that was neat, though I never purchased it.

I still use Polar Pro Trainer as most of my workouts are with a Polar HR monitor. I just copy over the basic data into the Polar db from the garmin database.

So I guess I really use 5 softwares, though I really do not use the Garmin one for anything.