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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Anton_Vaasa over 8 years ago

Reverse color?

Is it possible to choose a white background/black text somewhere?

This is a great app. But a bit hard to read in daylight.

jorgvv over 8 years ago

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?

It's on. I also tried off. And I already tried to reinstall the app but that didn't work either. It is also not showing temp. But that could be because I walk with no internet connection?

MikeDozer over 8 years ago

It is working with livetracking function :)

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Is it possible to choose a white background/black text somewhere?

This is a great app. But a bit hard to read in daylight.

Actually I'm testing that right now! The next version (probably some time this week), will have an app setting to use a white background.

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

It is working with livetracking function :)

I've never tried it - that is good to know! Thanks for passing that on!

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

It's on. I also tried off. And I already tried to reinstall the app but that didn't work either. It is also not showing temp. But that could be because I walk with no internet connection?

For temperature, you have to have a Tempe Sensor (no internet involved). I'm not sure why you don't see the HRM stuff on the 235 - does it show up for the activity in Garmin Connect?

With version 0.14, on the top line, where it has hike or walk in ()'s, there are letters that show the sensors configured for your watch If hike thinks you have a HRM configured, you'll see a "H", and a "T" for the Tempe. so if you have both, you'll see "HT". What shows on your watch?

update: it sounds like there is a problem with the 235 FW right now, where it's not doing what's intended from CIQ apps with the HRM.

Richard714 over 8 years ago

Fantastic App

Jim, many thanks for this app.

Your app is the main reason I brought the Garmin FR235 instead of one of the competitors.

I liked the FR235's features better than the typical Activity Trackers, but basically I needed an optimized walking/hiking tracker. With your awesome app the Garmin FR235 is the best of all possible worlds.

Garmin should install your app in their default activity list!

nieldewet over 8 years ago

Problem sync'ing more than one hike

Hi Jim,

On the weekend I spent two days hiking. I was very impressed with the battery life while using this app for more than ten hours!
When I got home I tried to sync these activities. The hike on Sunday synced successfully, but the activity on Saturday isn't syncing, and according to the connect app everything is synced. However, I can see Saturday's activity in the IQ Apps' history.

Forerunner 235
Software version 3.30

Thanks

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

The hike on Sunday synced successfully, but the activity on Saturday isn't syncing, and according to the connect app everything is synced.
Thanks

If it shows in the history on your watch, it sounds like it may be a problem with GCM or GE.. Have you tried to sync again? (if you have auto-upload on, it may have just uploaded the firs one)

jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

Version 0.14a

A couple changes:

1) starting with version 0.14, the chart screen would revert after 5 minutes to save battery life with only a message displayed. In 0.14a:
- before the revert, the watch vibrates so you can change page and then back.
- the revert time can now be configured with app-settings. 5 min is the default,but you can set 10min, 15min, or "never"

2) with app settings you can change the display to have a white background.