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Question about communication over BLE that is supported through CIQ

NVelev
I have a question about the extent to which the Bluetooth communication can be utilized by CIQ apps.

Correct me if I've got it wrong, but it seems like the Bluetooth connection is currently reserved and only possible between a Garmin device that is Bluetooth enabled and a phone/tablet that is running the Garmin Connect application.
Examining both the Bluetooth features exposed on the device (Oregon700 in my case) and the methods in CIQ Toybox::Communications namespace do not reveal a possibility to connect the device to something else.

The reason I'm asking is because I have developed a custom application on my Oregon which I'm constantly upgrading and enhancing with features and I've gotten to the point where I'd like to connect an external sensor over BLE to read some additional data into my application (high resolution vertical speed, wind speed and direction etc.)
It should be technically possible, since the external sensor just "reports" over BLE all the measured values in a custom string with a specific baud rate and Oregon 700 is a Bluetooth enabled device.
However there seem to be this restriction taking place - connection possible only with a phone with Garmin Connect app - since I don't find any functionality exposed to allow connection between the Garmin device and something else.

I'd highly appreciate any clarification and advise on the matter.

Best regards,

Nick
  • I’m no expert, but afaik, your assessment is correct.

    Pretty sure the only way you’ll get a direct connection to a sensor is to use ANT+. I won’t speculate on the reasons why except to point out that Garmin owns that standard. Also, many of its earlier Connect IQ watches are highly resource-constrained.
  • Correct. In CIQ, BT is only used for comm with the phone app, and in the case of Edge, Oregon, and Rino devices only for comm using things like makeWebRequest. On watches, you can have a companion app on the phone, so in theory, you could have a companion app that talks to the ble sensor and passes that to the watch over the watch/mobile connection.

    Some of the newer watches do support some BLE sensors natively in the FW (like the Fenix 5), but only standard ones like HRMs. It's kind of a new thing. I'm not sure the Oregon does though.

    If it's a BLE sensor the FW understands, it can be used in CIQ (again, a HRM is an example)
  • Thank you both for your prompt replies.

    I was already pretty sure about the answer I'd get, but there was a little hope that there's a "backdoor" hidden somewhere that allows full control over the Bluetooth communication. :)

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  • in reply to jim_m_58

    It's a long time since I've asked that question about connecting to another device through BLE in CIQ, but after reading about the new features to be included in CIQ3.1 (namely a generic BLE communication capability) I now want to ask another question - Which are the devices (from the already existing ones) that are planned to get a firmware update containing CIQ3.1? Is Oregon 700/750 going to have it?

    Thank you

  • in reply to NVelev

    Not sure, but as of right now, it's on the 645 and f5+.  It's a 3.1.0 VM, so not the 3.1.1 release, but I'm using the new BLE right now.

  • in reply to jim_m_58

    Thank you for your reply. 

    I'll have to wait and hope then :) 

    I need CIQ3.1 on a handheld (ideally an update for Oregon) as I'm using the device with a specialized app on the dashboard while paragliding. A watch is not suitable for the purpose.

    Can you please drop a word here if you receive some information about the device models that are planned to get updated. 

    Best regards

    Nick

  • in reply to NVelev

    Based on the announcement article "Connect IQ 3.1 Connects You to The World", the Oregon is not identified as getting the BLE feature.

    The Connect IQ BLE APIs are available for:

    Edge 1030
    D2 Delta Series
    fēnix 5 Plus Series
    Forerunner 245 Series
    Forerunner 645 Music
    Forerunner 945
    MARQ
    vívoactive 3 Music

  • in reply to sabeard

    Thank you for this information.

    It's much appreciated. 

    All the best, 

    Nick