App: Hiking

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/39d3b5e8-67db-4517-93a8-5ec485269635

For the vivoactive, FR230, FR235, and FR630 (I don't plan support for other devices)

Please use this thread for questions, etc!

"Hike" records an activity as a hike or walk in Garmin Connect. It also allows you to mark "waypoints" (they show up as lap marks in Garmin connect, so you can see them on that map).

When hike starts, it waits for GPS, and looks for an available HRM and Tempe. At this point, with the up/down key or a screen swipe, you can switch between "hike" and "walk". Then, press "start" to start recording.

The current time, HR and temp (if the sensors are available) is displayed on all screens. While recording, pressing "back" marks a waypoint. To pause or end, press "start again", and you are given the options of "resume", "save", and "discard".

When you hit the start button and get the resume/save/discard menu, you can hit the back button. The menu goes away, and the recording remains paused (it's indicated next to the clock time on all pages). But you can scroll trough the data pages at the time. That way, if you're taking a break, you can sit and look at the current data.

When "paused" is displayed with the time, pressing start again resumes the recording.

There are 5 data screens that you can see when recording (up/down button, or swipe right/left on touch devices) (some not shown here due to forum limits)

The first screen is basic recording info: The time for the activity, the time that recording was active (when paused, this doesn't increase), the distance, and the number of waypoints marked

The second screen shows pace, avg pace, speed, and avg speed.

The third page shows the waypoints you marked. They are shown 5 at a time, and rotate every 7 seconds. They closest waypoint is shown in green.

The fourth page shows elevation data. This is GPS based, and sometime may be off. Elevation, total Ascent, and total Descent is shown.

The fifth page is location information. Your current lat/lon and heading, as well as your starting location lat/lon and the direction and distance back to start. GPS quality is also show, both in text and colors (green is usable or better)

Changes in version 0.12: see https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?335082-App-Hiking&p=765691#post765691

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jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

I'm using your app for my trail runnings and I like it.

As we discussed in an another thread I like the possibility to see the total ascent data even if it's obtained from GPS measurement.

I know it's not an accurate data but it's good.

I specifically say "data is GPS based" on that screen because I know it's not the best, but I know many people would like to see it!

Glad you like the app!

webvan over 8 years ago

Gave it a 5+ hour test yesterday with a mixed walk/bus ride/hike and it worked fine, well done!

For a while I couldn't understand why the map screen was timing out...until I saw the little warning pop-up about saving battery life. Would there be a way to get back to the map quicker once it times out?

Not sure if the problem was there all the time but in the end the instant speed/pace was off, maybe too much data accumulated. Will check again. A zoom would be great maybe with long presses on the up/down keys (230/235 at least)

PS : thanks for the 5 d digits

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Webvan - the timeout for the chart was something I added towards the end of this release. I did some "how long will a 100% charge last" with the vivoactive. On other screens, I was getting 8+ hours, and about 90 minutes less if it was always showing the chart. (BTW, I stopped the test when the battery level got to the point where the FW put up a "low battery" warning, which is about 10%).

One thing I should have done is add a "vibrate" when it was counting down, so you notice it, and then could just switch to the next page and switch back to restart the 5 minutes. I may also add an app setting so you can specify the time, with a 5 min default.

As far as "speed", I'm simply displaying what the recording part of the FW is telling me. I have seen "speed" be a bit show in responding when the speed changes, but that's it.

webvan over 8 years ago

Yes, a vibration could be useful, maybe putting the "chart" page at the end so you can go back to it with just one button press? No issues with speed this morning.

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Yes, a vibration could be useful, maybe putting the "chart" page at the end so you can go back to it with just one button press? No issues with speed this morning.

I actually have a test version with both of these things on my watch already! I had the vibration added yesterday, and when I got home, changed the page order. (I'm also testing a "white background" setting...) :)

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

WEBVAN - the vibration does help, and changing the page order makes it easy to get back to the chart and may keep it this way.

But I've also added an app-settings to allow the configuration of the time out. The default is still 5 mins, but added 10 mins and 15 minutes, as well as "never". (the longer the timeout, the higher the battery drain)

I'll probably have it in the store later this week.

webvan over 8 years ago

Sounds good, thanks

MikeDozer over 8 years ago

Best in the class :D Its musthave app for fr230 :)

Inverted version would be MUCH more clearer to read
Maybe navigation bug around screens pointing start point? Maybe only on screens other than map, but not necessary :)

Will this app work with livetracking? (dont have my fr230 right now)

jorgvv over 8 years ago

Hi Jim. Today was my first try off your app. I have an 235. I like the app, but I couldn't see my HRM? When I look at the pictures in the store it needs to be on the bottom of the screen, but it looks like there isn't enough room for the HRM? Am I doing something wrong?

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Hi Jim. Today was my first try off your app. I have an 235. I like the app, but I couldn't see my HRM? When I look at the pictures in the store it needs to be on the bottom of the screen, but it looks like there isn't enough room for the HRM? Am I doing something wrong?

No, the HR should be there. I've seen a couple instances where even though I request a sensor (mainly Tempe), the firmware doesn't provide the info. With version 0.14, in app settings, there is an option to use the HRM, which should be on by default, but could you check on that?