Track logging app: imports GPX files and syncs to Garmin USB devices.
Ascent is an application for the Macintosh that imports tracks from GPS eXchange files, or uploads them directory from Garmin USB devices. Tracks are displayed in a customizable browser window organized by weeks. A track can be opened and displayed against various satellite and topo maps, and activity data such as speed, heartrate, and gradient can be viewed in customizable displays.
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Ascent is back with a significant update; particularly, for those wanting a log feature to track equipment use and cyclists using a power meter. Still simply the best for anyone using a Garmin fitness device and a Mac.
The best
sherman1
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This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />This application is just awesome, and it continues to improve with each revision. If you own a bike, road or mountain, and a Garmin GPS, you can NOT be without with application. Worth every penny and more.
How could you NOT buy this if you have a Garmin?
brandonelliott
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This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I was a bit hesitant at first since my Forerunner 305 came with GTC. But, I gave the trial a shot and was immediatly impressed with the control over the features and the functionality of this program.
About 3 weeks into purchasing, I had a bit of an issue and emailed tech support about it. Support got back to me in less than 12 hours! Not only that, but an update was released the next day directly addressing my issue. How could anyone beat that service.
Ascent has yet another loyal customer. Had I known the software was this good, I would have happily paid more than the $35 asking price.
How could you NOT buy this if you have a Garmin?
brandonelliott
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Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I was a bit hesitant at first since my Forerunner 305 came with GTC. But, I gave the trial a shot and was immediatly impressed with the control over the features and the functionality of this program.
About 3 weeks into purchasing, I had a bit of an issue and emailed tech support about it. Support got back to me in less than 12 hours! Not only that, but an update was released the next day directly addressing my issue. How could anyone beat that service.
Ascent has yet another loyal customer. Had I known the software was this good, I would have happily paid more than the $35 asking price.
Just gets better and better
smoogage
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This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I am amazed at how much this application improves over time. I loved it when I started using it months ago, and it is much better now. Incompatibility issues are fixed immediately, and new features are added all the time. I feel like I get a brand new program every few updates, and the changes are always great. I use a Garmin 305, btw. Fantastic Application!!!!
Perfect companion for Garmin Forerunner 305
raimisv
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This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I'm using Ascent with my Forerunner 305, and I'm very satisfied with this combo. All data in Ascent is presented nice and clean. The latest update (1.8.0) is a big one, with major interface overhaul and lots of new functions. Even the previous version was a nice one, but this makes the application really shine. Never experienced crash or anything like that.
This application puts a shame on the Garmin Training Center (Mac version).
Great software
thomlit
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This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />The best for use with my Garmin 305. Easy to use, and each update adds more useful features. Try it for a week, and I'm sure you'll buy a license.
Great!
usfrog
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This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I agree with all the previous reviewers. I have been using MB (the free version) and tried the Garmin TC (both Windows and Mac) as well as SportTracks which was my favorite till today. I discovered Ascent by chance and was buying the license within 2 hours. I could import my .gpx files from ST - well, I lost the heart rate records though :( - and from my most recent Garmin Edge 305 data. Very nice stuff, beautiful rendering and replay of the rides, never saw that level of ease of reading on any other app.
I'm looking for more on the reporting side (a bit like SportTracks where you can combine them and aggregate to the infinite), but as someone mentioned, probably an export in Excel will do.... Great stuff, and a pleasure to use on the Mac! Finally someone gives us what we've been waiting for so long!
Suggestion: a shortcut to import GPX files is missing and would be very welcome: always tedious to import 100's of files manually with the mouse, one by one and w/o shortcut. Thanks to quicksilver though, I could automate the pulldown menu display ;)
Best without a doubt
smoogage
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This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I cannot say enough good about this product. I have a Garmin Forerunner 305 that I use for road running, trail running, biking and mountain biking. I purchased Ascent after using it for a week and every update adds features that make a great application even better. I think I've tried them all (at least all the Mac apps), and none are even close.
Just wonderful
chuckb84
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This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Ascent is the best GPS and heart rate training software you can get, for Mac or PC, period. I've use the Garmin software (very limited compared to Ascent) and the Polar Software with a Polar 725 HRM. Of course, the GPS and Ascent add a whole new capability beyond just heart rate, so the comparison with Polar is a bit unfair, but Ascent gives you all the HR features of the Polar plus GPS.
Ascent seamlessly connects to the internet and puts your routes on a map.
Finally, in version 1.5.3, Ascent exports all the data to a tab delimited text file for further analysis in Excel, Igor, etc. This is invaluable because you can do analysis beyond what is currently built into Ascent. For example, you can use time up a climb to get a good estimate of rider power during the ascent.
Ascent's developer is responsive and the program is rapidly improving. Highly recommended.