Filed under: Software
Ascent 1.9.4 - Enabling Peak Sports Performance
Several years ago, I wouldn't have been sitting at my Mac on a warm spring day. Instead, I would have been out cruising the hundreds of miles of Denver-area bike trails on my RANS V-Rex recumbent bike. During those rides, I kept track of my distance, average speed, and other statistics with a Garmin eTrex Summit GPS, but had no way to analyze my performance.
Since January of 2007, Montebello Software has shipped Ascent, an application that analyzes data from exercise computers. If that exercise computer has built-in GPS, the analysis includes a plot (static or animated) of exercise paths over satellite, topographic, or street maps.
Version 1.9.4 of Ascent now includes automatic syncing with Garmin Edge 605/705 cycling computers, drag and drop importing of .gpx, .tcx, or Polar .hrm files, and the ability to split or combine activities. I've been considering a Garmin Colorado for geocaching, and found that it syncs directly with Ascent. That may actually get me off my rear end and onto my bike again, since I can now do something with all of that ride data! Runners and hikers will also find Ascent to be useful.
A function-limited trial download is available, or you can purchase a full license for $40.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marco Senf said 8:09PM on 5-18-2008
with a gps iPhone comming - yes - go ahead and buy it!
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Chris Scott said 9:04PM on 5-18-2008
For those of us using Garmin sports devices (Forerunner 305 in my case), Ascent rocks. The Garmin Training Center app for the Mac is only good for getting your basic stats--the mapping feature is useless. Ascent's mapping feature is what got me hooked on it.
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Mark said 9:52PM on 5-18-2008
Seconded
Pat said 11:31PM on 5-19-2008
yep
Charles said 8:31AM on 5-19-2008
Third.
The software that came with my Garmin Edge was so pathetic (for the Mac), that Garmin should go license Ascent to bundle in, then convict the people who "ported" their software to Mac of Crimes Against Humanity!
climbingcolorado said 10:06PM on 5-18-2008
Who rides a recumbent bike anyway? [kidding . . . ]
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Steven Sande said 10:56PM on 5-18-2008
Uhhhh, slightly overweight over-50 males? :-)
Bill said 1:11AM on 5-19-2008
How does this compare to the free (it reminds you to make a donation) Trail Runner?
http://trailrunnerx.com/
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nassosc said 2:56AM on 5-19-2008
trail runner x has the best features and excellent support by the author.
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marcus said 3:50AM on 5-19-2008
I couldn't agree more. Trailrunner is far better than this programm. Never had secon thoughts about my donation.
http://trailrunnerx.com/
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Al said 5:10AM on 5-19-2008
Check out this review of Ascent and other GPS based training software for the Mac:
http://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2008/mac-training-software-review/
Ascent came out on top.
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jussi said 5:21AM on 5-19-2008
I also recommend checking out Sportstracker from Nokia, http://sportstracker.nokia.com. It works wonders with my N95.
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Georg said 6:37AM on 5-19-2008
Ascent rocks the boat! The software motivated me to buy a Garmin Edge 305.
It also motivates me to go cycling more often…priceless!
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Steven Sande said 10:18AM on 5-19-2008
I need the motivation! I have a Garmin nuvo for my car and a 60CS for geocaching; I think the 60cs needs replacement, don't you? :-) Then I'll get a new GPS for my bike!
Geo said 4:33PM on 5-19-2008
Garmin 305 user here ... I love Ascent so far. I tried Trailrunner, and I just didn't think it offered as many cool features - but might give it another go.
Being able to playback your ride (I do a lot of MTB racing) and showing second by second playback of your speed / heartrate / cadence along the trail you just did is great. Helps you to remember those "insane climbs where your heart is beating out of your chest" when you talk to your buddies the next day. ;)
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stevek said 10:51AM on 6-28-2008
I agree that Ascent is work every penny for use with garmin gps watches. The mac is barely "supported" by Garmin.
The software is frequently updated with extra facilities, often at the request of users. Bug reports (if any occur) are often fixed within the same day.
If you need gps analysis software, this it.
If you need additional features, just ask!
Any other questions there is a very knowledgeable and friendly forum.
Steve
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