Step counter is activated just by hand movements

Hi, I noticed that the step counter on my vivoactive 4 is activated just by moving my hands - without any steps. Is this something that happens on other watches, too? In general, I wonder why this is the case? Is it too difficult to separate the acceleration components for hands and legs? Also, has anyone tried neural networks to do this?

Top Replies

jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to _psx_ +1

Those are both normal things with garmin watches when worn on the wrist. Steps are based on what the watch sees. For the second one, this happens when you are pushing a shopping cart, stroller, or using…

All Replies

jim_m_58 over 4 years ago

You want to ask this in the va4 forum. This one is for developing CIQ apps,

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/vivoactive-4-series

Avoima over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

Thanks Jim, but actually I am interested in the developer aspect of this: how come Garmin apparently hasn't solved the problem of separating the hand and leg acceleration components? And, has anyone else noticed this issue, and maybe developed some more accurate step counter for Garmin watches - maybe using neural networks?

jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to Avoima

This is all something done in the FW and not CIQ apps. A CIQ app can not change the step count as passed to Garmin Connect with a sync.

Avoima over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

I know that. But it is possible to create your own step counter using accelerator data and then use this step counter in an app, instead of the built in FW step counter. So again: has anyone developed a step, counter which doesn't react to hand movements and is only activated by actual steps - maybe using neural networks?

jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to Avoima

So you'd have to run your own app 24/7?

Avoima over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

Maybe, or whenever you are interested in accurate step counts.

jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to Avoima

Steps have been accurate for me, on different Garmin devices for 6 years. And they are counted in the normal way for goals, the move bar, etc, If you are having an issue, it could be an issue with your watch and you may want to contact Garmin Support.

Avoima over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

OK, thanks Jim. Have you never experienced that your Garmin watch counted steps when you didn't move your legs, only your hands?

jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to Avoima

That can happen. With fitbits it was insane. With Garnin there's a "steps+10 logic", where steps aren't added until you get 10 or more to try and reduce steps due to hand movements that aren't real steps.,

Avoima over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

OK, that's interesting. So it seems that Garmin isn't able to separate hand and leg movements properly or fully, and has to rely on the sort of 'hacks' that you describe to increase step counter accuracy.