I’d link straight away (don’t do strava)
For someone who isn’t part of the Garmin ecosystem, how does Garmin Connect actually work and what does it do that other apps can’t? General question for the group here, not you specifically.
I’m a fairly happy Strava subscriber for the last few years, yes they have their issues but generally a great place to interact with fellow local cyclists and stay in touch with riding buddies who have moved. Super useful to see who’s riding where (trail wise) and scope out conditions before driving an hour
Garmin Connect has an open API without unpleasant conditions, rate limits and so on + they have a huge share of the market. So if you are building something that needs activity data it makes sense to integrate with them.
I also like using Strava for the social reasons, segments, maps etc., it’s a pity they have decided not to continue to allow 3rd party apps access to all of that data, not even the raw activity data without all the Strava extras (segments and so on).
So the API thing I understand is important for you but as a consumer, what would Garmin connect offer in terms of usability/features/etc that perhaps Strava can’t.
Not much that I am aware of. IMO Strava is a much superior platform.
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Unless you are interested in the lifestyle tracking that a Garmin watch might do like steps, flights of stairs, etc. or the first beat data like your training status and performance condition then Garmin Connect doesn’t really do anything that Strava doesn’t. I really only use it as a gateway for my rides/runs/walks/etc to get from my device to strava, trainerroad, and other apps that I use to actually track and analyze my data.
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Gotcha, sounds like for a Wahoo user it’s not really useful, if for anyone at all. My LBS team plots their Sunday ride routes through Garmin connect and whenever I open the link and zoom in on anything it just locks up the entire map and I can’t zoom or pan around at all. Also route doesn’t sync to my wahoo like RWGPS or Strava maps, probably need to do it manually which is a PITA
Yeah the only reasons people with Garmin’s use it at all is because it’s required unless you manually pull the FIT files off your device and upload them.
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Makes sense I suppose. I wonder how wahoo does it if you don’t have the Elemnt companion app on your phone, if it still uploads from device to Strava or it needs that app as a bridge between the two.
Beyond mapping and interfacing, Garmin Connect now days also has a lot of “other stuff”, to create a “one stop shop” kind of like an Apple Fitness readout. Calories in/out, hydration, weight, off bike activities, etc.
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That could be useful if it’s accurate. Would be nice if my digital scale actually gave accurate body fat info etc to begin with but I don’t track calories or anything like that
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As a repository it works very well, it archives original data files from all the apps I’ve fed it (e.g. Cyclemeter, Wahoo app, Garmin, Runkeeper, etc). And it does that for free. They have a successful business model and unlike Strava aren’t complaining that users should pay to keep the company viable.
You are arguing a different point - that it isn’t a hub like Garmin Connect or Strava.
Compared to Strava, Garmin Connect is a better data platform and analysis platform for users. You may prefer the Strava UI and social, but Garmin Connect has more free analysis features than Strava Premium.
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That’s a staggering amount for a company with that thin a business model. Has anyone taken a few minutes to calculate what sort of user base and ARPU is needed and when, to make that figure begin to start to have a figment of an opportunity of making some sense?
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I’m sure Strava is also bringing in cash from more than just subscriber fees. Id bet the companies who are part of the “perks” section are also paying for that spot, as well as companies who sponsor the various challenges that Strava has every month.
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I’d love to see their financials. And the projections they used for the financing round - I’m big on science fiction.
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Not sure what science fiction has to do with financials, but I’m sure their valuation is not as simple as $60 x subscriber count.
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For sure. All those Le Col ads and Roka challenges aren’t free.
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I’m guessing the latest investment thesis revolves around work from home the pandemic. Ignore the financials, make it a pandemic play, and bet that this time the original Strava founders will get it right.
If you had read many M&A and investment pitches, you would know the link between financial projections and science fiction. Most of the former are pretty much the latter.
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The science fiction in most projections is somewhat comical. And on a related note, also interesting when (recent) historical data show 1% lead response rate, and the CEO insists the number should be 10% because he thinks the product is so compelling. The glass isn’t half full, its overflowing!