Subject: RE: Garmin TC software versus Sports Tracks I've been using SportTracks since I started the couch to 5k program in '05. I think this was within a few months it was made available.
IMHO, it's the best GPS exercise tracking software out there.
The good of ST: - It is by far the most flexible. Initially, I had a Polar HRM and a Garmin 201. ST can import both and correlate the HR & GPS data into one activity.
- YOU can decide what categories you want which can have subcategories. So you can have Run, Run->Easy, Run->Tempo, Run->Race, etc. ST will also attempt to select the appropriate category upon import. It's wrong occasionally, but this is pretty rare once you have a trend it can see.
- You can setup reports based on anything. I have a tri bike and a fixie. I can show/group only the rides with my tri bike, fixie with 42-16 gearing, fixie with 44-15 gearing, or any other "equipment" I associate with an activity. This can also be done by category, time of day, location, etc
- You can setup your equipment to be automatically used for a particular category. So, if you use different shoes for your easy & tempo runs, you can set it up so that any new activity in that category will automatically "use" that equipment.
- You can edit your GPS points. This isn't as important with the 305 as it was with the 201, but you can drag and drop individual GPS tracks to correct the track produced by a weak signal.
The bad of ST: - Most people find the user interface is pretty funky and not like anything anywhere else. Many of the features are kinda hidden. Once you understand how it works and play around a little, it's not so bad.
- There is no "planned training"
- Pacing options are only mph or min/mi.
- There is only one set of HR zones
- Cannot download workouts or courses to the Forerunner
I'm pretty sure all but the last one is going to be fixed in the next release due out anytime now.
I've not used TC very much at all. I only use it to download advance workouts & courses to my Forerunner.
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