The built in one works automatically. On each interval it starts from the interval time and counts down. Similarly using the Garmin Connect you can create different work times, rest times, etc. It would be nice to be able to have the time countdown rather than just up. Now the time starts at 0 and counts to whatever you set the time to (2 min). Not sure why you can't count down.
What I'm trying to say is that a ConnectIQ data field is limited in the ways that it can get data from a user. The only way that you can communicate with a data field is by using the Garmin Connect Mobile and Garmin Express apps. You could do something simple and build a data field that does a countdown timer that counts down for X seconds, with a rest period of Z seconds, and a repeat count Y, but the implementation would get difficult if you tried to go further than that.
I don't know why someone would implement this when most of the Garmin devices have support for workouts out of the box. You've already said it does exactly what you want, and is much more full featured. It sounds like you're using a fr920xt, so you have the option of creating an interval workout on your device already (Training > Intervals). You can just pop into the menu, create an interval workout (interval period, rest period, repeat count, ...) and start the workout.
The built in does not work how I want. What I want is for a varied length of intervals. The built-in one only allows the same time for go and rest. For example on may want an interval to last 5 min for a certain exercise and 2 min for the next one. You can not do this with the built-in one. You can do this with Garmin Connect but you down have a countdown timer and also Laps are counted differently. On the built-in app the rest laps are not counted where on the garmin connect they are.
Is there anyway to edit the default data screens that are used for the connect IQ activities? I would like to use a screen similar to the default screen used on the built-in interval training.
If you are using a ConnectIQ app to record your activities, you get the look-and-feel that the developer gave them when they were created. If the developer designed their app with customizable screens, then you'd be good-to-go. Otherwise you're stuck.
Maybe I am not clear. I am not using an "app". I am using the website that Garmin created to create workouts. Garmin has chosen a default data screen for my watch. What I would like to do is modify the default data screen that comes with it. At a minimum I would like to be able to substitute this default screen with the one that is in the built in interval training. What purpose does it serve to not allow these screens to be editable?
Okay. To be clear, the built-in applications (Run, Bike, ...) are not ConnectIQ activities or ConnectIQ apps at all. That is where the confusion is.
If I'm understanding you correctly, you're want to know how to customize the data screens on your device. If this is all you want to do, then yes, you can do that (at least for all of the devices I've used). You probably need to go find your manual and have a look around.
I understand that they are not. The reason that I thought about developing an app is because the DEFAULT screen CANNOT be modified. At least I can't figure out how from the manual. I know how to add custom screens but the custom screens do not have a countdown timer or a lap counter that works correctly. So I thought it would be easy to develop a countdown timer (it is not) that I can add as a data field.
You can't customize the workout data page (the initial screen you see when you are in a pre-programmed workout). The fields displayed on that page depend on the duration type and target type of the step in the current activity, and change as the workout progresses.
