Garmin 820 owners - your experience?

[NotSoBigBen]

Ok so recently I had my 810 'warranteed' with an 820.

 

Man this thing is frustrating me no end ... Now keep in mind that I am not one of those using it just as a 'fensie' bike computer so yes I have numerous sensors on different bikes, connect it to my phone for messages/incoming calls and auto upload (more about that later [emoji35] ), use live track so my wife/son know where I am as I ride alone almost all the time.

 

So now the source of my frustration ...

 

1) every so often I get a corrupted file after a ride, cannot upload to anything (I upload to Garmin Connect, Golden Cheetah). Yes I have found a way to fix the fit file but it's a pain!

 

2) Livetrack I have found to be a bit iffy, we have wifi at home and if I leave the gate with it still on then it doesn't start ... Not sure if that's because of it switching from wifi to mobile data or what. Anyway if I switch wifi off on my phone before pressing start then it's fine.

 

3) Auto Upload just doesn't work period ... So I end up connecting it to my computer and letting Garmin Express do its thing. At least that works

 

Having a background in IT I am one of those that checks for updates to the phone app, device firmware etc. almost daily so I do always have the latest version.

 

I do find that the mapping and following routes etc. does work pretty well. Messages and incoming calls is pretty cool purely so I know whether I need to bother to stop and take a call (only if it's my wife, she wouldn't call while I'm riding unless it's serious). No it doesn't do messages from apps like WhatsApp and so on again despite what it says on the box.

 

I had none of these problems with my 810, ok so it didn't do the message/incoming call thing despite their promises .... Battery life on the 810 for sure better than the 820

 

Anyone other 820 users, how has your experience been?

[Jurgens Smit]

Ok so recently I had my 810 'warranteed' with an 820.

 

Man this thing is frustrating me no end ... Now keep in mind that I am not one of those using it just as a 'fensie' bike computer so yes I have numerous sensors on different bikes, connect it to my phone for messages/incoming calls and auto upload (more about that later [emoji35] ), use live track so my wife/son know where I am as I ride alone almost all the time.

 

So now the source of my frustration ...

 

1) every so often I get a corrupted file after a ride, cannot upload to anything (I upload to Garmin Connect, Golden Cheetah). Yes I have found a way to fix the fit file but it's a pain!

 

2) Livetrack I have found to be a bit iffy, we have wifi at home and if I leave the gate with it still on then it doesn't start ... Not sure if that's because of it switching from wifi to mobile data or what. Anyway if I switch wifi off on my phone before pressing start then it's fine.

 

3) Auto Upload just doesn't work period ... So I end up connecting it to my computer and letting Garmin Express do its thing. At least that works

 

Having a background in IT I am one of those that checks for updates to the phone app, device firmware etc. almost daily so I do always have the latest version.

 

I do find that the mapping and following routes etc. does work pretty well. Messages and incoming calls is pretty cool purely so I know whether I need to bother to stop and take a call (only if it's my wife, she wouldn't call while I'm riding unless it's serious). No it doesn't do messages from apps like WhatsApp and so on again despite what it says on the box.

 

I had none of these problems with my 810, ok so it didn't do the message/incoming call thing despite their promises .... Battery life on the 810 for sure better than the 820

 

Anyone other 820 users, how has your experience been?

 

I have found similar issues with apps that require gps connectivity. Normally if your phone is set to not switch over to mobile data if it has a stronger signal it takes super long for the wifi to actually disconnect and MD to start a active session.

 

Then you GPS creates a jump in the gps data which probably corrupts your file.

 

You could (if it is allowed by your warranty) factory default it and reload all the firmware

[NotSoBigBen]

I have found similar issues with apps that require gps connectivity. Normally if your phone is set to not switch over to mobile data if it has a stronger signal it takes super long for the wifi to actually disconnect and MD to start a active session.

 

Then you GPS creates a jump in the gps data which probably corrupts your file.

 

You could (if it is allowed by your warranty) factory default it and reload all the firmware

Thanks, I will try that! Mine is not set to automatically switch ..... I have tried the factory default thing and all that but made no difference

[Jurgens Smit]

Thanks, I will try that! Mine is not set to automatically switch ..... I have tried the factory default thing and all that but made no difference

 

That setting is a tricky thing so just keep in mind that unless you're on a fibre connection the MD will most likely be faster than your WiFi (with LTE being readily available) so the chances are your phone might be on the MD when you think it is on the WiFi and you end up getting higher than normal bills.

 

I reckon just focus a few rides at first on manually switching the WiFi off before you leave home and see if that resolves any of the issues

[NotSoBigBen]

That setting is a tricky thing so just keep in mind that unless you're on a fibre connection the MD will most likely be faster than your WiFi (with LTE being readily available) so the chances are your phone might be on the MD when you think it is on the WiFi and you end up getting higher than normal bills.

 

I reckon just focus a few rides at first on manually switching the MD off before you leave home and see if that resolves any of the issues

Problem is I need the MD on for LiveTrack to work .... Guess I'll just have to continue switching off the WiFi

 

Sent from my LG-D958 using Tapatalk

[Jurgens Smit]

Problem is I need the MD on for LiveTrack to work .... Guess I'll just have to continue switching off the WiFi

 

Sent from my LG-D958 using Tapatalk

 

Yes I meant WiFi sorry

[pgp]

Auto Upload on mine work so well that by the time I am inside the house all is done.

[SEANSTEP]

Yep, also find the auto loading process doesn't work first time. Bogus error message. Becoming very frustrating. Problem with loading in general getting worse.

[Jurgens Smit]

Also, this is something we encounter a lot at our company. Unless you are specifically told update the firmware, or you have a buggy version on there and the firmware specifically fixes that it is not always necessary to do so.

[NotSoBigBen]

Mine hasn't worked from day 1 so with every update I am hopeful it's resolved

 

Sent from my LG-D958 using Tapatalk

[Spinnekop]

Have been using the 820 for a year now.

 

I don't want to know who is calling or sms'ing.  Old school.  I WANT to be alone and away from everyone. 

 

Live tracking?  Hahahhahaha.  See above. 

(% wise you have a better chance of dying in a car accident and there you don't have live tracking there.....just my dirty 2c )

 

Auto upload via WiFi is a buggy.  Can't get mine done also.  Don't know why.  I am too dumb to know where to look and for what.

Connected to the phone, no problem.  The second I press "save" the ride is uploaded. (Bluetooth)

 

Loads and loads of power drops on the power meter via ANT+

Lots of research shows the antenna positioning is bad or its a bad piece of hardware or or or.  Lots of excuses out there.

Very frustrating at times.

[nonky]

Ah, the joys of Garmin software....the reason why my Fenix is lying in a drawer somewhere.

[Grey Hubs]

Damn! just had my lost Garmin 810 replace with an 820 No rides yet, but I can't wait to experience the drama you chaps are having...might have to take the Element Bolt along just in case

[Spoke101]

Also got upgraded from my bullet proof 810 to a 820. It defiantly has bugs and can be a pain in the arse. 

Live tracking always seamed buggy for me even with my 810. As soon as my phone dropped signal or the Bluetooth connection it bombed out. I have an app on my phone that tracks all family members so that's covered. One thing that does work is the indecent/crash detection. On both occasions I hit the ground it did its job and hasn't given any false alerts.

I gave up on the WiFi as it's just another power drain. Uploading through BT works fine 99% of the time.

The screen sensitivity is complete SH!T, don't know what they did but is terrible.

Haven't tryed the group track yet.

Oh and don't try to transfer all your old files form the last 4 years to your 820 the stupid thing freezes and plays dead. Literally have to wait for the battery to die and then have to jump start it with the PC.

Also had issues trying to get live segments to work but then I wasn't doing it the legal(strava premium) way.

There also a few little customizing opportunities that the missed that bug me.

 

Try doing a hard reset.

This will not delete Activities, Courses, or Workouts.

1. Turn device off.
2. Power device on.
3. While booting up, press and hold upper-left corner of the touch window ONCE the copyright information appears.
4. Continue pressing the left hand corner of the screen until you receive the prompt.

or

 

This will delete Activities, Courses, or Workouts.

1. Turn device off
2. Hold Lap/Reset and Start/Stop
3. Press and release the power button
4. Continue to hold only Lap/Reset and Start/Stop
5. Release Lap/Reset and Start/Stop when the Garmin Logo is cleared
6. The unit will restart and clear non-vol

[Bateleur1]

Ok.  So is the 820 a crap device?

[428 others]

Auto Upload on mine work so well that by the time I am inside the house all is done.

 

Same here

 

Wifey loves LiveTrack, makes her feel better to know I'm ok

 

But my 800's touch screen was WAY better