Garmin Introduces Connect+ Subscription – dcrainmaker perspective
Garmin has launched Garmin Connect+, a new subscription service designed to enhance the existing Garmin Connect platform with premium features. Priced at $6.99 per month or $69 per year, the service includes advanced insights, live activity tracking, a web-based performance dashboard, enhanced LiveTrack, and new social features. A 30-day free trial is available, but users must enter credit card or PayPal details to sign up, even if they already have other Garmin subscriptions.
Despite the introduction of paid features, Garmin has confirmed that core data access and existing functionalities within Garmin Connect will remain free. One of the key additions is the AI-driven Active Intelligence tool, which provides daily insights, though early feedback suggests it offers limited value. The performance dashboard brings a customisable web-based data view but is not yet integrated into the mobile app. The live activity tracking feature allows users to monitor their workout data in real time, particularly benefiting structured training sessions. Garmin has also expanded training guidance with additional videos and content, though the effectiveness of these resources remains to be seen. Enhanced LiveTrack now offers customisable URLs for activity sharing, but concerns have been raised over the absence of privacy zone settings. The new social features introduce profile badges, coloured frames, and additional challenges, appealing to users who engage with Garmin’s fitness community.
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DC Rainmaker, a prominent reviewer in the fitness technology space, has expressed a balanced view on the new subscription model. While he does not object to Garmin charging for additional services, particularly where external costs such as satellite or cellular services are involved, he believes that some of the newly gated features should have been included for free, given the premium price of Garmin devices. He views the AI insights as redundant and of questionable usefulness, while the performance dashboard is well-executed but would benefit from mobile app integration. Live activity tracking has been praised for its practical implementation, especially for gym users, but the LiveTrack enhancements raise privacy concerns due to the lack of key safety settings.
A wider concern among users is the potential shift in Garmin’s strategy regarding free updates. There are fears that future developments may focus more on paywalled features, reducing the frequency of free enhancements to Garmin Connect. Whether Garmin Connect+ will prove successful depends on how well the company balances its subscription offering with continued improvements for all users.