Does anyone know if it is possible to communicate over WiFi between a pc and a WiFi enabled fenix 5? Without the need for the watch to be connected to a phone.
Wifi can only connect direct to the Garmin servers using the wifi networks configured in the watch. This does not require a connection to a PC. What are you trying to achieve?
I have build this app (app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.viralandroid.expeditionwear) for android wear watches which gaining quite a bit of interest in the sailing community but have got quite a few requests to get it working on the Garmin watches. The navigation software onboard the boat currently sends the data via UDP over the WiFi network which the app reads and is able to display the info. Trying to find a solution for the Garmin watches that would not require the need to use a phone as the repeater?
Unfortunately, I don't think you will be able to do that from a Garmin watch as things stand without using a companion app on a phone as a repeater which you are trying to avoid. Last I heard there were no plans to open up the wifi for CIQ app usage due to the battery drain wifi takes on the watch.
I was looking for a wifi connection, too. I came to the conclusion, that using a Rasperri PI with a scipt which sends sensor data to a MQQT brocker is currently the most attractive option to send sensor data to a target:
