Garmin Ant issues!

[Dirty Camino]

So in preparation for my indoor training/Zwift sessions I've got myself a Garmin Ant+ USB stick to plug into my laptop (Windows 11).however nothing seems to connect to it using Garmin Express.

I've fully updated the computer and all drivers
I've tried the stick in each of the 3 USB ports (it's recognised in each of them by the computer)
I've searched the Internet!
Garmin Express is on the latest version. Uninstalled/reinstalled, restarted laptop numerous times.
In frustration I've emailed Garmin (not expecting a response though!)

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Dogtrousers]

emailed Garmin (not expecting a response though!)

Anyone got any ideas?

Don't email them, raise a ticket on Https://support.garmin.com

I've always got quick response that way.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

however nothing seems to connect to it

A Garmin swim watch will. What are you expecting to sync to Garmin Connect over ant+? Not something their bike GPS are designed to do.

 

[Dirty Camino]

Thanks @Dogtrousers I think that's actually what I did! Fingers crossed they come back with an answer!

@Ming the Merciless I understood that the speed and cadence sensors, edge computer and my garmin watch should all connect via ant+ but essentially the 2 sensors for when I plan to use zwift.

 

[Buck]

Check that the ANT+ sensor is close to your garmin sensors. I have mine on a USB extension cable to get it closer to the bike/sensors as my Zwift PC is tucked in the corner.

 

[fossyant]

Zwift takes care of the connection. Not sure Garmin Express is for that.

 

[Dirty Camino]

@Buck i was trying it out on my dining table with them right next to it so don't think any issues with proximity. Also turned phone Bluetooth off as apparently that can sometimes interfere with the signal.

@fossyant I haven't yet tried it with Zwift until the bikes all setup but Garmin Express should pick it up. I have read about people having issues with it and zwift though which os why I thought I'd get it sorted first, before I'm paying the subscription!

 

[fossyant]

@Buck i was trying it out on my dining table with them right next to it so don't think any issues with proximity. Also turned phone Bluetooth off as apparently that can sometimes interfere with the signal.

@fossyant I haven't yet tried it with Zwift until the bikes all setup but Garmin Express should pick it up. I have read about people having issues with it and zwift though which os why I thought I'd get it sorted first, before I'm paying the subscription!

You can test it with the free subscription ! I don't think I did any more than install zwift and that took care of the rest.

 

[cyberknight]

You can test it with the free subscription ! I don't think I did any more than install zwift and that took care of the rest.

Indeed afaik express is only for connecting the head unit to sync data via Bluetooth or cable.nothing to do with sensors.
I use cheap sensors linked by a life line ant dongle and zwift sees them ok

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'm not sure what relevance Garmin Express has here. I've only ever used it for getting updates for older, less fancy, GPS devices. More modern ones do their updates over the air via Garmin Connect. It's a long time since I used it at all, it's pretty much a legacy app I think. Maybe it has some other purpose that I don't know about.

From what I can figure out you're using an ANT+ dongle (which happens to come from Garmin) to connect your smart trainer to Zwift on the laptop? I'm not familiar with Zwift but I've done this using with other training software. You go into the training app (in this case Zwift) and do something like "search for trainers". No need to mess around with Garmin Express or Garmin Connect.

What I'd do under these circs is check that you have the right device drivers for the dongle. Go into device manager and mooch around until you find the ant+ device and that might give you some clues.

Edit. A quick google threw up this. Great minds think alike. They don't actually say "go and mooch around in device manager" but it's close
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=lhcXYdqFRP1bbumefCOf37
and this
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=ou3m0nRwm96rLy6X9TqJb6

 

[fossyant]

I use Garmin express for updating my Explore (i.e. new maps) but it uses the Garmin Connect via my phone for sync. My old Garmins are cable so need Express for syncs.

 

[Dirty Camino]

Thanks all. Think I'll download Zwift and give it a try, I've probably been trying to over complicate things. I'll update once I've tried it with Zwift 😀

 

[Dirty Camino]

Well actually downloaded Zwift and set it up, HRM, cadence and speed sensor all connected via Ant+ 😀

Clearly they don't to Garmin Express 😂

Just got to finish servicing the bike, set up the trainer and give it a go next week!

 

[Oldhippy]

Do the ants require better treatment?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

but Garmin Express should pick it up.

Why should Garmin Express care about heart and speed sensors, it doesn’t sync anything from them? It’s Zwift you need to be testing with.