ted_major

The Garmin Edge 130 Plus that I bought in April of 2022 that no longer connects to my computer (or any computer) by USB. It charges, it records, but it won't connect to let me save activities. I've factory reset and tried it with Macs, PCs, and even a Linux machine, and I've used several different USB cable with each computer, so I think it's the Garmin and not the PC. The support pages at Garmin's website seem to indicate that it is a faulty USB connector, and offer to sell me a refurb replacement.

Meanwhile, my Garmin Edge 200 from May of 2015 is still functional (I replaced it because the battery had lost some capacity and it was acting up until I factory reset it).

I plan to keep using the old 200 for awhile, but recognize that it won't last forever. What are my replacement options? I'm not inclined to get another 130 Plus (especially not a refurb) that didn't last long, isn't repairable, and seems to have known defect. I don't want a complicated device, so I'm not sure what's out there.

What I want:

• Record and show time, distance, speed
• Upload file directly to Strava (or save on PC) without connecting to a manufacturer's website
• Connects directly to computer

What I don't want:

• A device that has to upload to a proprietary website to access data
• A device that requires syncing to my phone
• A device that requires me to install any kind of app on the phone
• To use a phone app while riding

What would be nice, but not a deal-breaker:

• Ability to load courses to navigate group rides

Does such a device even exist any more?

PeteHski

I think you are restricting your choices for no particular benefit, but I would go to DC Rainmaker's website and check out his reviews of pretty much everything on the market. Garmin, Wahoo and Hammerhead are the main brand options. I've only ever used Garmins.

Steve B.

Agree with Pete. Your list of Don't Wants severely restricts what device you can us. Maybe a Hammerhead K3, as they don't really use any type of app on a smart phone, they mostly do WiFi to get completed activity data to the web. If you look on the Hammerhead FB page, there are a few folks selling their used K2's as they migrate to the new K3, you could pick up one at a better price than a new K3

Iride01 

You don't have to use a phone app with any Garmin device. However it really simplifies things and gives you nifty features. Such as seeing who that annoying call is from while you are riding. Or receiving text messages. And it's sure nice that before I even get through the door of my home after returning from a ride that my data is already uploaded and ready to view. Also it gives my wife some comfort, because the app allows for live tracking through Garmin and she can see that I'm still moving and not have to imagine me laying on the side of a road somewhere. Particularly if I decide on a whim to ride longer.

Did you actually call Garmin and talk to them? There are other reasons why your PC might not be connecting via USB. What are you using to do that? Have you opened the file browser on your PC and made certain that it's not showing up as a drive? Sometimes with my old Edge 500, I'd have issues with Garmin Express seeing my Edge, though it was connected and showing up in my file browser. Which indicates a issue other than USB.

You might consider taking them up on the refurb'd unit. Probably was a good price if they weren't going to send it to you free. If you don't want more features. Then you probably won't like getting use to a new device. Also consider that you aren't taking full advantage of your Edge 130 since you aren't using the phone app.

Steve B.

I’m puzzled as to why use a USB/PC connection ?. Then read he doesn’t want an app on the phone and that has me puzzled, as that app - Garmin Connect, does a good job getting your completed ride data to an activity tracker of your choice. I use RWGPS and I get all kind of info from that. It’s as simple as pressing Save on the device, the ride data goes to the phone app via BlueTooth, the app then uses either WiFi or cell data to send to the Connect web app, which ports it to RWGPS. All without plugging anything.

And as noted, Garmin Edge units don’t HAVE to be connected to a phone app, though it does make it easier, especially if downloading courses to follow, but a 130 sucks at that, so maybe that’s not how the OP sees his.

PeteHski

It’s so long since I set up my Garmin 530 that I’d forgotten the data path! My rides just appear like magic in Strava! I do have it paired to my phone and home Wi-Fi. I only plug it in to charge.

TakingMyTime

Do any of your computers have Bluetooth? If so you should be able to upload the rides that way.

Steve B.

Pretty sure the only upload using BT with a Garmin is going to be to the Connect Mobile App on a phone. Cannot imagine trying to use a BT connection to a PC to send the completed fit file to Express.

ted_major

Thanks for all the replies, y'all.

You're absolutely right that my preferences are limiting my choices, so that's why I'm asking to see if there's an option I've missed.

I don't really want the nifty features that a phone app offers. One of the things I like about cycling is disconnecting from screens. I don't want to be notified of text messages or receive phone calls when I'm riding. Whatever it is can wait for a couple of hours.

I do use the RoadID app to let my wife track me while I'm out. It sends her a message, she clicks a link, and she can see where I am and whether I've turned around and headed home yet. It works for her and she doesn't want to learn a new option.

I haven't called Garmin (maybe I'll give that a try today, but it seems like any call to corporate customer service means that I lose an hour of my life), but I have checked to see whether the device is mounting as a USB device, and it doesn't show up as a drive on my laptop, a PC or a Mac. I don't use Gamin's Connect software at all in part because there is no Linux version. I plug in the USB and manually upload to Strava. Garmin's support page for the 130 says not showing up in a file browser is a symptom of a faulty USB socket on the device.

You're right that I'm not using all the features that the Garmin 130 Plus offers, which is why I'm hesitant to "upgrade" to a device with even more features that I won't use, and I'm hesitant to spend ~$150 on another 130 that only lasted 2 years and has by Garmin's own admission a defective USB socket.

I just don't like using my phone when I ride. I spend far too much of my time looking at phone and computer screens, and cycling is one of my opportunities to unplug. I carry my phone with me in case of emergencies, so I don't want yet another app draining my battery while I'm out.

I agree with you about the 130's terrible navigation: the Edge 200 was much better. The last time I tried to use navigation on the 130, I pulled up the Course and started it, but couldn't figure out how to get it to actually show me when I needed to turn. Fortunately the course was well-marked and I'd ridden it before.

My laptop does have Bluetooth, so that might be an option, but from what I can find on Garmin's website, Garmin devices require a USB connection to a computer and only use Bluetooth to connect to a phone app. (Also, I use Linux, so if there is an undocumented way to connect to a PC app by Bluetooth, Garmin doesn't make software for my OS.) Also, even if I can upload rides vie Bluetooth, if the USB connector has started to fail, it seems like a matter of time before it stops charging.

What it boils down to is that I really only need (and want) an entry-level device, and that market is drying up. I suspect it's kind of like the point-and-shoot camera market: phones/apps provide basic functionality, so the only market now is on the high end. If I have to use an app, I might as well just use the Strava app on my phone and skip the expense of a new device.

That said, the MSW Miniac Go looks close (basic functionality, but no navigation). It's also only $40 at Universal Cycles right now, but I haven't found any user reviews to indicate how well it works or how reliable it is. Lezyne lists a couple of computers (Macro Easy, Macro Plus) that look like they might be what I'm looking for, but they seem to be discontinued and unavailable.

Anyway, thanks for listening and replying to my late-adopter/retrogrouchy grumbling.

Steve B.

I don't really want the nifty features that a phone app offers. One of the things I like about cycling is disconnecting from screens.

Garmin Connect Mobile app can hardly be called "Nifty". It is functional. I carry my phone with me in case of emergencies, either my own or something else. The Connect app runs in background and on most rides I never look at my phone. Thus when you finish a ride and press save, everything else is automatic and does not involve any interaction with the phone. The BT connection runs, the activity ports to the GCM, which sends to the web and to another web based activity tracker you set up once - Strava RWGPS, etc.... You do not get text messages or e-mail or phone call notifications unless you choose to turn those features on. I do use LiveTrack, which is configured to send a link to my wife's e-mail so she can track me on my rides or kayak excursions. It's a terrific safety feature and works very well, needs the phone, cell service and the BT connection.

Iride01 

You can disable them in the settings on your Edge 130 if you don't want them.

You use the RoadID app on your phone. I'd think that'd be more of effort on your part to start a ride. Certainly you must start that by going into your phone before each ride. But I don't know anything about it. However with the Garmin phone App, I don't have to do anything at all. Though to make certain it's not been put into a deep sleep by my phones battery protection routines, I bring it to the front before a ride and leave it open. Not sure if I really need to do that.

With your Edge 130, live tracking will start auto-magically when you push the button to start the timer if you have the Garmin phone App. So assuming the Garmin App is running in the background and hasn't been put to sleep by your phone, then everything needed is just the button push on your Edge that you are already doing. Albeit there is a one time setup process you have to go through to authorize those that will get your tracking info.

Garmin Support's phone system will offer you a chance to enter a call back number. Take that option and verify your phone number to for them to call you back. Then stay by your phone. You will get a call back in about the same time you will have gotten off hold in their phone queue.

Might be a USB issue. Might not. I've had driver conflicts and other things in Linux, Windows and OSx that sometimes prevented my Edge 500 from being seen. Garmin supports help on this issue might be questionable. You have tried a different cable haven't you? And take a good look into the USB port on the Edge 130 with a really good magnifier and decent light source. Maybe a bent up contact. Maybe a dirty contact.

If you had the Garmin phone app, you wouldn't have to do anything to upload your ride to Strava, RideWithGPS or GarminConnect and maybe a few others. You just push the save button on your Edge as you normally do. Of course you have to authorize Strava and RideWithGPS to get your data from GarminConnect. But that's a one time thing.... that you can cancel.

Garmin hasn't admitted anything about your USB socket on your Edge 130. You are the only person that is imagining that it's the socket. You might be right. But so far you still might be wrong. And there is a chance that Garmin Support will just say it is, even though they don't know for certain and again will offer you a refurb'd unit. Which if its at a good price, you should take. As you aren't likely going to find anything else that won't require you to adjust to the new way of doing stuff.

Polaris OBark

This sounds more like user error than it does a "defective" USB port that allows for power transfer but not data transfer.

One possibility is that some security software on your computer is preventing the Garmin from being recognized as an external drive, or Linux might require you to manually mount the device, which can be done easily with a one-line unix command.

If you could bring yourself to install Garmin Connect on your phone, all you need to do is turn on the 130, open the app, allow it to connect via bluetooth, transfer the data, and close the app. You don't have to enable any of the annoying features that send text messages or tell you when to drink water or wipe your arse. Sometimes it is just more expedient to give in and use a device in the expected manner, rather than spend hours on cumbersome work-arounds.

unterhausen

It's most likely a power-only usb cable. I'm glad so many manufacturers decided to save zero cents per cable by leaving out a couple of lines.
I guess there can be problems with the firewall too though.

PeteHski

Although I find Garmin software somewhat clunky and unintuitive, it is well worth the effort to set up an automated upload so you don’t have to keep manually uploading your rides. You are just making it harder than necessary. Constantly plugging in a usb cable after every ride might well have contributed to your premature port failure if that’s what it turns out to be. Does the 130 not have a Wi-Fi connection?

PeteHski

The Garnin app won’t drain your phone battery and you won’t need to look at your phone. Again you are just making this hard for yourself. It’s just a simple App that will make your Garmin much easier to upload.

Polaris OBark

It does not.

PeteHski

Ah, so even more reason to pair it with your phone.

pdlamb

Though I could be wrong*, I think you can hook up a USB cable to any Garmin cycling GPS and download an activity directly to your computer's drive. It will default to a .fit file, so it's up to you to find a translator if you prefer to have a .gpx file.

Likewise, if you've got a route, you can download that to the Garmin's /garmin/New\ Files/ directory.

*I was wrong once; I thought I'd made an error.

Steve B.

Yes, you can do all that. You first need to ascertain if the USB cable will pass data, Garmin’s are very picky about the cable. I have mine labeled with a “G” so I know the cable works with a Garmin.

It’s also the slow method. Any .gpx file Imported to the Connect web account and saved as a course, will automatically show up on the Mobile app and can be synced to the device, much easier method,

unterhausen

I remember the days of usb uploads, I usually didn't bother. I much prefer my activity being uploaded through some means I have no involvement in. I think it usually happens via my phone, but my 830 connects to our wifi.

njkayaker

I’ve used all sorts of data cables with all sorts of Garmins without any issues.They don’t seem picky at all.

(If you get support from Garmin, they ask if you are using the Garmin-labeled cable. But that’s more of a trick for the support person to be certain a data cable is being used.)

Steve B.

I have read of the data cable issue many times in assorted forums, that older Garmin’s tend to need a particular cable. I have tried with some and failed, thus went thru my cables that had mini/micro connectors to identify those that worked, I labeled those. I haven’t need to do this in a while with my 1040 as Garmin migrated to the USB-C connector which doesn’t have this issue, AFAIK.

unterhausen

I suppose i could make a test connector, but barring that, my only way of testing cables is to plug in a garmin to see if it connects. USB cables often have poor strain relief, and so it's also quite possible to have one that's failed. I feel like I have a lot of mini and micro cables that I have are charging only. It can get frustrating to find one with data lines.

njkayaker

Nothing stops confused people from posting on forums. The supposed “pickiness” doesn’t match my (fairly extensive) experience, doesn’t align with how USB generally works, and is easily explained by charging-only cables.

There might have been an issue a very long time ago (like over 10 years ago). But I’ve never seen a problem from 2013 (with a 800). Also, many people don’t know there are charging-only cables (and they don’t look any different). I’ve used at least 4 different models and they don’t care (as long as it’s a data cable).

njkayaker

There are poorly constructed cables and they sometimes break. Or, it’s a charging-only cable. But that’s not really a Garmin problem.

Charging-only cables are often provided with things like lights. I mark those (or throw them out).

One can also get “name brand” cables and look at them.