DataField : UK Grid Reference

I wanted a way to display the Ordnance Survey grid reference coordinates on my Vivoactive while out walking so I've developed a data field which can be added to any activity.

The data field cycles through displays showing current heading and GPS signal accuracy, and a six figure OS grid reference.

It should run on most wearable devices and can be downloaded here:
https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/2f30fe76-c14a-46e9-a606-76ced27dd776

A widget version of UK Grid Ref. is also available here : https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/07b03259-24c8-4828-b949-2e48ef04a2c5

Feedback welcome!

Thanks.

If you find this data field useful please consider donating a $1 / €1 / £1 or whatever you can afford to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) through my fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-phillips-garmin-msf

logienick over 9 years ago

Hi There - I'm only getting a "5 figure" grid reference!... More readable than the location screen in-watch, so if worked would be great. Being picky, I'd prefer a space between the 2-letter grid identifier, and again between the eastings and northings... but that's personal taste. Can we get it to work?

Mark.R.P over 9 years ago

Hi logienick - 5 figures is odd. The font size and rendering is down to the Garmin presentation logic so I limited the display to a 6 figure grid reference with no spaces to get the largest font size possible. I wonder if the last digit is being rendered off screen for you. I'll try to reproduce it on the emulator - which device do you have and what layout are you using?

It might be that if I add the spaces you suggested then the font will pop down to the next smallest size and the whole grid ref will be displayed. I can give that a try - maybe then adding additional displays to the cycle to show 4 figure eastings and nothings separately so that they get displayed in a larger font. I can give it a try.

Cheers
Mark

Mark.R.P over 9 years ago

Hi, I've updated the app to improve the spacing on the 6 figure grid ref (and to show current compass heading alongside 4 figure Eastings and Northings). I'm hoping the new format will solve the problem where you're only seeing a 5 figure reference but if it doesn't then please let me know which watch you have and which layout you're using and I'll try in the simulator to see if I can come up with another solution.
Cheers
Mark

cwartcam over 9 years ago

Thank you so much for developing and distributing this! I downloaded it as soon as I stumbled on this thread, and have left a 5* review.

hotdogpartysausage over 9 years ago

I'm using the widget rather than the datafield. Nice and simple good work.
One issue I am seeing is that if the grid ref has a leading zero it is not displayed.
ie NY 01234 56789 would be displayed as NY 1234 56789

Mark.R.P over 9 years ago

Thanks for your positive review - it gave me the motivation to create a grid ref. widget which provides a quick way to check location when you're not in an activity.

Hope you find it useful - here's a link :
https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/07b03259-24c8-4828-b949-2e48ef04a2c5

Mark.R.P over 9 years ago

HOTDOGPARTYSAUSAGE thanks for the feedback... I noticed that the leading zero is missing on the data field while I was out walking in the Brecons this weekend. I'll have a go at fixing it this week and upload a new version of both apps.

SteveL123 over 9 years ago

Can the datafield version support more watch types?

Hi, I have an FR230 and I'd like to add the OS Grid Ref datafield to a screen on the standard Run app, but my watch isn't supported at the moment. (Though it is for your widget and full app). Are you going to extend the watch types supported by the data field download some time? Cheers, Steve

Mark.R.P over 9 years ago

I'm using the widget rather than the datafield. Nice and simple good work.
One issue I am seeing is that if the grid ref has a leading zero it is not displayed.
ie NY 01234 56789 would be displayed as NY 1234 56789

Hi - just to let you know I've updated the data field and widget (both to Version 1.2). The updated version pads out the grid ref with leading zeroes when necessary.

Let me know if you have any problems.

Mark.R.P over 9 years ago

Hi Steve - I've just updated the data field to support the FR230 and a range of other devices. V1.2 is the version you need.

Let me know if you have any problems.
Cheers
Mark,