Edge 530 Bluetooth sensor app - change in behaviour after restart

First let me start by saying i'm not a developer. An acquaintance wrote a connect IQ app to record data from a Bluetooth sensor (Data Field app type). It is not a published app, and I have been using the app fine without problem on a Garmin Forerunner 645 via sideloading into the Apps folder on the device. It's worked perfectly for my needs, notwithstanding some limitations of the Forerunner itself. I recently also got a Garmin Edge 530 device to run the app as that would address the Forerunner limitations, but trying to run the app is giving some issues (even though it was simulated on Edge 530 when he wrote the app).

After side loading the app on Edge 530, the bluetooth sensor pairs fine and app works as intended. However as soon as i restart the device, the device no longer pairs with the Bluetooth sensor. If i reconnect the device to my PC and look in the Apps folder, i no longer see the app filename in that folder. However, on the Garmin Connect Mobile App - the app is still listed on the device. If i uninstall the app from the Garmin Connect Mobile App, then reload it - same thing - it connects fine on first try but as soon as device is restarted, it cannot pair for some reason.

Any ideas on what may be causing this and why it is working on the FR645 but not the edge 530 and/or what may be the best way to troubleshoot it?

I'll need the other person to update the source code, but given they were helping me out - i want to try narrow down what is likely to be done in advance.

Thanks

Ryan.

0 markdotai over 3 years ago

I've just been investigating something which sounds similar with Bluetooth and Edge devices.

I have a data field app which can connect to e-bikes via Bluetooth. It works perfectly on watch devices. But when run on Edge devices, it will work initially but then "later" it will stop connecting. From my tests, powering off the Edge and then powering it on will then allow the app to connect again.

I'm suspecting it is a bug in the Bluetooth library for Edge devices - We've seen other Bluetooth bugs for other Garmin devices in the past, which they have then fixed. I was going to investigate it more when I have time and get more details, and then report it to Garmin.

0 Ryinc1 over 3 years ago in reply to markdotai

Thanks for your reply. Yes the error sounds similar. However, in my case the app no longer pairs with the external sensor on the first restart, and does not work on every restart after that.

0 markdotai over 3 years ago in reply to Ryinc1

When you say restart what do you mean by that? (Just checking )

Do you long hold the power button and then select power off, and then long hold again to power on?

Or do you tap the power button to turn off the display?

0 Ryinc1 over 3 years ago in reply to markdotai

I hold the power button, a screen comes up offering the option of "Sleep", "Set alarm" or "Power off". Whether i put it in sleep mode or whether i power down completely i get the same outcome - does not connect.

Thanks

0 Ryinc1 over 3 years ago

I have found one workaround

Step 1: Remove the data field and replace it with a different data field

Step 2: Turn off the device

Step 3: Turn on the device

Step 4: Add the data field back again.

Just following step 1 and 4, without step 2 and step 3 does not work. Turning device in and out of sleep mode (instead of powering off/on for Step 2 and Step 3 does not work).

0 InigoTolosa over 3 years ago in reply to markdotai

Similar for me. One datafield that connects to an HRM works flawlessly in the simulator and also when I run it on my Edge1030. However I know about a lot of connection issues from users with Edge530/830/1030+. Seems to work for watches.

0 Ryinc1 over 3 years ago

Just reporting another easier workaround.

1.Create a dummy Activity Profile called "Bugfix",

2. Select another (non-problem) Connect IQ data field on the first data page (e.g. one that uses Ant+)

3. By first accessing activity profile Bugfix, navigating to the page with the working Data Field and then going back to the Activity Profile with the Error Data field, it somehow seems to create a new working instance.

This is a bit quicker and easier than the other workaround which requires device on and off.

0 MARCGRAVELINE over 3 years ago in reply to markdotai

So so update on this : I was able to reproduce Ryan's problem.

I received a brand new 530. From factory it had SW 8.1. I installed the exact same CIQ datafield. Boom it worked first try. Many power up/down try all kinds of things. Rock Solid

Installed 9.1. Stopped working.

So I took the NRF Blinky sample from the CIQ store. The NRF Blinky is a datafield that connects via Bluetooth to a Nordic NRF52 development board and sends button toggles, led toggles....

On a 645, connects no problem. On my now "less functional" 9.1 530. No connection.

I do the workarounds That Ryan did and I can eventually get it to connect

I tried 9.28 Beta, same as 9.1

From a code perspective, a register Profile succeeds, a scan is started but the scan results callback is never called.

If anyone had ideas, let me know !!

0 InigoTolosa over 3 years ago in reply to MARCGRAVELINE

I am facing this issue and spending lot of time and efforts trying to identify and fix it on my datafield side.

I think it's time for Garmin to let us know if there is any reason in the firmware that causes this behavior for Edge530/830/1030plus. At least, inform us that you are aware and working to fix it

0 MARCGRAVELINE over 3 years ago in reply to InigoTolosa

I was really happy to see Blinky stop working.

For me it was black and white when I went from 8.1 to 9.1

Anybody know a way to go back to 8.1 ?