Most affordable device that supports API 3.1.0 for BLE development

Kenn 11 months ago

I am developing a BLE hardware device and want to release on iOS, watchOS, Android and Garmin at relatively the same time.

I was given a Forerunner 45, and after playing around with Monkey C for a short bit discovered that my fr45 only supports API 1.4.0 which does not include Toybox.BluetoothLowEnergy and I need something that supports API 3.1.0 or newer.

I am wonder if other BLE developers out there could help point me in the right direction of a device that won't break the bank to use for field testing.

Thanks!

jim_m_58 11 months ago

Here are the supported devices for BluetoothLowEnergy:

Supported Devices:

[Hide devices]

Approach® S70 42mm
Approach® S70 47mm
Captain Marvel
D2 Air X10
D2 Air
D2 Mach 1
Darth Vader
Descent G1 / G1 Solar
Descent Mk2 / Descent Mk2i
Descent Mk2 S
Descent Mk3 43mm / Mk3i 43mm
Descent Mk3i 51mm
Edge® 1030 Plus
Edge® 1030
Edge® 1040 / 1040 Solar
Edge® 530
Edge® 540 / 540 Solar
Edge® 830
Edge® 840 / 840 Solar
Edge® Explore 2
Edge® Explore
Enduro
epix (Gen 2) / quatix® 7 Sapphire
epix Pro (Gen 2) 42mm
epix Pro (Gen 2) 47mm / quatix® 7 Pro
epix Pro (Gen 2) 47mm System 7 Preview
epix Pro (Gen 2) 51mm / D2 Mach 1 Pro / tactix® 7 – AMOLED Edition
fēnix® 5 Plus
fēnix® 5S Plus
fēnix® 5X Plus
fēnix® 6 / 6 Solar / 6 Dual Power
fēnix® 6 Pro / 6 Sapphire / 6 Pro Solar / 6 Pro Dual Power / quatix® 6
fēnix® 6S / 6S Solar / 6S Dual Power
fēnix® 6S Pro / 6S Sapphire / 6S Pro Solar / 6S Pro Dual Power
fēnix® 6X Pro / 6X Sapphire / 6X Pro Solar / tactix® Delta Sapphire / Delta Solar / Delta Solar - Ballistics Edition / quatix® 6X / 6X Solar / 6X Dual Power
fēnix® 7 / quatix® 7
fēnix® 7 Pro - Solar Edition (no Wi-Fi)
fēnix® 7 Pro
fēnix® 7S Pro
fēnix® 7S
fēnix® 7X / tactix® 7 / quatix® 7X Solar / Enduro 2
fēnix® 7X Pro - Solar Edition (no Wi-Fi)
fēnix® 7X Pro
First Avenger
Forerunner® 165 Music
Forerunner® 165
Forerunner® 245 Music
Forerunner® 245
Forerunner® 255 Music
Forerunner® 255
Forerunner® 255s Music
Forerunner® 255s
Forerunner® 265
Forerunner® 265s
Forerunner® 55
Forerunner® 645 Music
Forerunner® 745
Forerunner® 945 LTE
Forerunner® 945
Forerunner® 955 / Solar
Forerunner® 965
GPSMAP® 66s / 66i / 66sr / 66st
GPSMAP® 67 / 67i
Instinct® 2 / Solar / Dual Power / dēzl Edition
Instinct® 2S / Solar / Dual Power
Instinct® 2X Solar
Instinct® Crossover
MARQ® (Gen 2) Athlete / Adventurer / Captain / Golfer / Carbon Edition / Commander - Carbon Edition
MARQ® (Gen 2) Aviator
MARQ® Adventurer
MARQ® Athlete
MARQ® Aviator
MARQ® Captain / MARQ® Captain: American Magic Edition
MARQ® Commander
MARQ® Driver
MARQ® Expedition
MARQ® Golfer
Montana® 7 Series
Rey
Venu® 2 Plus
Venu® 2
Venu® 2S
Venu® 3
Venu® 3S
Venu® Mercedes-Benz® Collection
Venu® Sq 2 Music
Venu® Sq. Music Edition
Venu®
vívoactive® 3 Music LTE
vívoactive® 3 Music
vívoactive® 4
vívoactive® 4S
vívoactive® 5

flocsy🤠 11 months ago

You don't need a new device, so the most affordable is dependant on where you are and on which platform you're searching for 2nd hand. Anyway, when you see something cheap you can see if it supports the desired CIQ: developer.garmin.com/.../

jim_m_58 11 months ago

By the way, here's a wiki about starting with BLE. https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/w/wiki/19/getting-started-with-connect-iq-ble-development

There's also a video of the breakout session when this was introduced. https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/b/news-announcements/posts/adding-bluetooth-connectivity-to-your-connect-iq-projects

It's a limited implementation and you'll find limitations, like you can only use 3 services at a time.

Also, you may want to pick up a Nordic nRF52840 USB Dongle as with it, you can debug using the sim. Last I looked it was $12US or so.

Kenn 11 months ago in reply to jim_m_58

Thanks for the tips! Already have a few Nordic nRF52840 dev boards so probably use those.

jim_m_58 11 months ago in reply to Kenn

You will need to use nRFConnect and flash the proper hex file. It's referenced in the wiki I linked to.