Application: dwMap - Route Maps for Vivoactive and other watches

I have just published a route map app, dwApp, which I hope will fill a hole in the Connect IQ ecosystem.
Download from App Store

The primary goal was to offer a route map display and follow capability on the Vivoactive. The app however works on all Connect IQ devices and should be an very convenient way to send a route to the watch after creating it in MapMyRun, Ride with GPS, etc. It also offers an activity recording capability while you are using the routing feature.

I look forward to your requests, feedback, questions and bug reports, in this thread!

Features
- Uses a link code mechanism to link your watch to your account on http://dynamic.watch
- Your dynamic.watch account can be linked to Ride with GPS and Under Armour (MapMyRun/MapMyRide) to import routes automatically from those accounts, or you can import GPX and Garmin Connect routes
- Indicate which route is your current route, and you watch will automatically download it next time you start the app
- App displays a map view or a dashboard (data fields) view
- Map view has three zoom levels, and shows you current position and direction
- Dashboard view shows speed, distance, HR and other common activity stats
- App uses the normal built-in recording capability of the watch, and when you stop and save the activity it is sync'ed with Garmin Connect in the usual way
- App works without a data/phone connection, using the most recently downloaded route when offline

mappicus over 9 years ago

Just wondering how this app differs from the built in course navigation on the Fenix 3?

I don't have enough hand-on experience with the Fenix 3 to give a detailed comparison (perhaps someone else can?) but dwMap is geared towards streamlining the process of creating a route (on our mobile-friendly website) and downloading it to the watch (done automatically when the app is started), and I understand this is a much easier process than creating and downloading and course to the Fenix 3's built-in navigation page.

Although dwMap's initial target was watches like the Vivoactive that do not have any map capability built-in, the Fenix 3 is our second most popular watch type, so it must be serving an unmet need there too.

Former Member over 9 years ago

I don't have enough hand-on experience with the Fenix 3 to give a detailed comparison (perhaps someone else can?) but dwMap is geared towards streamlining the process of creating a route (on our mobile-friendly website) and downloading it to the watch (done automatically when the app is started), and I understand this is a much easier process than creating and downloading and course to the Fenix 3's built-in navigation page.

Although dwMap's initial target was watches like the Vivoactive that do not have any map capability built-in, the Fenix 3 is our second most popular watch type, so it must be serving an unmet need there too.

Having to use Basecamp to import a route is a bit clunky and not terribly user friendly. I'll give your app a go!

Cheers.

Nighthawk700 over 9 years ago

If I use dwMap, would I still be able to use my Training/Workouts that I normally use when I run? (e.g. my 3 min run / 1 min walk alerts) I'm getting tired of just out and back, or running the same route, and started mapping out some new ones, but don't want to have to carry a set of directions around with me, it sounds like this would be a clearer solution. (If it matters any, I would be using on an FR235)

Thanks for any information.

Nighthawk700 over 9 years ago

141

I downloaded the app, created an account, created a route, ported it over, and if I did everything right, it looks like the answer to my above question is "no." Bummer. I'll look to see if I can find an alternate way to get the 3 min / 1 min count (e.g. through my phone) so I can use the watch for dwMap when i start on some new routes. I'll keep an eye out on this topic for any changes as well.

mappicus over 9 years ago

I downloaded the app, created an account, created a route, ported it over, and if I did everything right, it looks like the answer to my above question is "no." Bummer. I'll look to see if I can find an alternate way to get the 3 min / 1 min count (e.g. through my phone) so I can use the watch for dwMap when i start on some new routes. I'll keep an eye out on this topic for any changes as well.

OK yes as I wondered then, those particular alerts must be being generated by the Run app rather than for all apps using the activity recorder. Note that dwMap does buzz an alert at the end of each auto-lap period, though those can only be set for distance, not time.

Nikeow over 9 years ago

On the F3 - with FW 6.5 there is a serious bug happening that causes the app to 'crash' once the performance condition splash screen comes up/out.

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?340469-CIQBUG-Crash-with-performance-condition-splash-screen

it is also affecting the DWMap application as well as some of mine (when using it on the RUN activity profile)

mappicus over 9 years ago

On the F3 - with FW 6.5 there is a serious bug happening that causes the app to 'crash' once the performance condition splash screen comes up/out.

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?340469-CIQBUG-Crash-with-performance-condition-splash-screen

it is also affecting the DWMap application as well as some of mine (when using it on the RUN activity profile)

Thanks for the info Nikeow.

Former Member over 9 years ago

Is it possible to upload maps to the watch through Garmin Express from a PC?

mappicus over 9 years ago

Is it possible to upload maps to the watch through Garmin Express from a PC?

Sorry no, the upload has to be done via our website and with the watch pulling the map down via Garmin Connect Mobile running on a phone. (Currently that means iOS or Android, as the new Windows Phone version of Garmin Connect Mobile does not appear to implement data services properly for watch apps.)

Former Member over 9 years ago

This looks great. I'm giving it a test on a 6.5 hour ride tomorrow. Sounds like leaving it in North-Up is the way to go to make it last the whole ride? I prefer track-up, anybody have accounts of long life on the vivoactive with track-up enabled?