FIT files + workout history

We have plans to allow access to the geometry of an activity, but that is it. We don't want to encourage every app having their own way of handling activity information (BLE to iPad app in one CIQ app, ANTFS transfer to an ANT->WIFI bridge on another app, etc), because it could be very confusing to the end user. Garmin works very hard to make activity syncing as seamless and magical as possible for the user via BLE, ANT, and WIFI.

To get your data from the device to your iPad app I would encourage you to look at the Garmin Connect API. It will allow you to have Connect push the data to you when your user syncs their device.

-Alpha Monkey

So an app that wants access to a recorded file would cost the developer $5000. So not so useful for hobby developers. Also means the external device needs to have access to the internet even if it seems like you just want to get to what is on the watch nearby.

While direct file access would be nice why not at least expose a content provider on garmin's app that runs on android (app extensions on ios) to would have all the data files so third party apps can access the data? So data files can transfer between watch and phone/tablet the garmin way and still allow access to locally running 3rd party apps.

But you also can't change something if no one thinks there is desire for change. Don't expect version 1 to have everything, just don't want certain limitations to be the plan for the future too.

iOS SDK

I've been looking into this for a while because I've found that syncing my Epix (via Bluetooth) to "Garmin Connect Mobile" takes about 30 minutes for an activity that lasted about 12 hours. The FIT file that is produced by my Garmin is about 250Kb, so I would think that with Bluetooth LE speeds, it should transfer in about 1 or 2 seconds. I don't have iOS development experience, but quite a bit of Mac OS X development experience... so I'm looking into designing a stand alone app that simply retrieves the FIT files from the Activities directory - even if your phone is offline (another shortcoming of GCM - you must have an internet connection to transfer files). Once the files have been transferred to the app's container, it seems it would then be possible to implement a "share" button. The share button would allow the user to at least email the FIT file. I've already written the "back end" to this so I can get my FIT files from my watch to Strava: http://gotoes.org/strava/Strava_Email_Uploader.php I'll repost here if I get an app developed for the iPhone that accomplishes the aforementioned task. I'd also be willing to work together with anyone on this project.

In my iPhone and m F3 - I think I generate about 80-120kb sized FIT for 40mins activities.
it takes maybe <1min to transfer. Never experienced a 30min transfer even if I went biking for couple hours.

one of the reasons for me in getting the F3 and the bluetooth transfer is basically so that i don't have to tie it to the PC. majority of the tasks are handled with the phone (app)

Upload to GC. Sync w/ STrava / Tapiiriik and it goes everywhere that I want.

Different GCM experiences?

NIKEOW - thank you for your reply.

This problem may well be related to the Epix specifically... but I have communicated on the Garmin Connect Mobile thread, and it seems that others have experienced the extremely slow sync as well. By my math, every 24 minutes of activity takes about 1 minute of sync. Your experience seems to be a little different.

I'm definitely with you: one of the reasons I got the Epix was so that I would not have to bring a computer on long trips. We're going to be traveling for 3 weeks soon, and I'd like to leave the computer at home, but still upload to Strava. I've tested the Garmin Connect to Strava connection that works sometimes (without the need for tapiriik). When it works, that connection is satisfactory. The remaining hurdle is just the speed at which the files are transferred. Most of my activities the next 3 weeks will be 10+ hours, and there is no joy in spending 30 minutes of my time (and Garmin + iPhone battery) on an upload.

I appreciate your reply, and would be interested to know if other people experience the very slow sync times - or if it is just the Epix. I'd be interested to know the device, the time to sync, and the version of GCM for any others who wish to share... Thanks!

ack with thanks.
Once I have a more significant time using the watch - looooooong ride. I'll let u know.

Hello.
Unfortunately my Epix also very slow sync activity. For some time I do it only via USB cable.

Hi!

Anyone knows if nowadays it is possible to send a FIT file using CIQ API and get it on an Android/iOS App to upload it to the cloud