WatchApp: Activity Recorder

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/be468042-047e-4181-ae6f-e82a3f50b04e

A simple application that allows users to record activities like the built-in apps, but with more choices of activity type and sub-type. Activities that are uploaded to Garmin Connect have the specified activity type, so you don't have to go back and edit them after the fact. Supports three user-selectable data fields on a single page; Timer, Lap Time, Heart Rate, Average Heart Rate, Calories, Time of Day, Distance, Pace, Avg, Pace, Speed, Avg, Speed, Cadence, Avg. Cadence, Elevation, Ascent, Descent, Laps, Temperature fields are available. Allows users to enable/disable sensors and GPS for each activity type/sub-type.

*Note*: You have to enable sensors and GPS in the app if you want to record the data that they provide. i.e., if you want to go on a trail run and record your track, you have to select the activity type Run/Trail Running, and then enable GPS on the options page. All sensors default to off for all activity types. You must enable them explicitly.

*Note*: The list of activity sub-types is limited due to a ConnectIQ bug that affects most devices. The most requested activity sub-type is Strength Training, and unfortunately that one is affected by this bug. I will update the app as fixes are deployed with device firmware updates.

If you have a problem or question, post it in the forums thread (https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?239790) so I can respond.

Revision History:

0.9.6
* Added auto-save prompt 3 seconds after recording is stopped, much like you'd experience with the built-in activity applications.
* Added support for additional data fields, reorganized the data field selection to match up with the 920xt apps.

0.9.5
* Initial Revision
* Supports 920XT w/ 3.20 firmware and VivoActive w/ 2.70 firmware. Please post if you have success with earlier firmware versions.

Former Member over 10 years ago

You'll need to update your firmware. The red X screen is the previous app crash screen.

travis.vitek over 10 years ago

Thanks Ken. I have notes on the app description page that indicate vivoactive w/ 2.70 firmware is known to work. I'm still curious what firmware version is being used so I can flag it as known to not work.

Former Member over 10 years ago

I believe the only firmware with that screen is the mass production build (@CharleyGirl28, please still report your firmware version). I've been told you will need to update from that build using Garmin Express on your computer (Connect Mobile cannot download and install that update).

dugeem.david over 10 years ago

Thanks for your detailed reply!

There isn't currently an activity type for sailing in ConnectIQ. I could add a menu item for sailing, but when you upload to Garmin Connect, it would come through as Uncategorized.

Ok looks like Garmin may need to add some more activities. For now I'll use rowing as the activity type.

I could do this, but I think it might work better if it were a separate app since it seems there is very little overlap between normal activities like Yoga and Strength Training and Sailing.

Sailing combines yoga and strength training with water😄

Would you want these for the sailing activity type? I'm trying to avoid completely remaking the built-in run/bike apps since the ones that Garmin provides are all pretty good. Additionally, every feature I add brings me closer to the 64kb memory limit. I originally had support for three pages of data fields and like 35 of them to pick from. The app would occasionally crash due to running out of memory.

You have opened my eyes to the memory limitations. If I had to choose 3 fields it would be speed, heading & temperature. Optionally speed (knots).

While I could do sunrise/sunset data fields, I think the cost/benefit trade-off is not there. I'm assuming the code to determine the sunrise/sunset based on position is non-trivial. This means it would take up much more code space than any other data fields (i.e., I might be able to implement 5 data fields instead of those two).

Agreed. Better to have a few more simple fields which are useful to all.

Same here. These seem specific to a sailing app.

Maybe but a timer might be of use to quite a few activities. Eg exercise, rest etc

Would people rather I made many activity specific apps (Strength Training, Yoga, Sailing, Fishing, ...) or have a single app that tries to be a reasonable compromise? I'm guessing you all want separate apps so I can add activity-specific features to each. Unfortunately that means a ton of maintenance and potentially longer times between app updates.

An interesting question. Over time it might be necessary given the app limitations. But it all takes time and effort...

Former Member over 10 years ago

I am excited for this app, however, I am using a 920XT and software version 3.30 and I can't seem to get it to work. I don't have options for activity types. It also starts and stops using two buttons the enter button and left bottom menu button. I would just like to set up options prior to using. Please let me know how.

travis.vitek over 10 years ago

I don't have options for activity types.

They're all in the application menu.

It also starts and stops using two buttons the enter button and left bottom menu button. Please let me know how.

You have to *hold* the menu button to get to the menu to appear. I'm pretty sure I can prevent pressing the menu button from being handled like an enter key press.

Travis

travis.vitek over 10 years ago

I added support for a few more data fields, including temperature. Unfortunately, I don't have a Tempe to test with, so I have no idea if it works. If someone out there has a temperature sensor, I would greatly appreciate it if you could tell me if it works or not.

Travis

Former Member over 10 years ago

Hi Travis,

First of all thanks for your kind free job, your app will fill the need for several guys like me who play tennis & other sports than running cycling and swimming.

I'm a tennis player with a vivosmart 2.70 firmware. If you need a feedback for this sport I can be one of your beta testor guy :-)

unfortunatly, today I can't run the apps, I've got several crash nearly everytime (with the latest version) and then the watch reboot, is it normal or do I have to setup something ?

Because I trust in the potential of your apps, I ready to help you and all to be succesful, and for your info, I'm ready to pay euros in the future to add apps who will provide a better experience with our watch :-)

Just for a better understanding on how to use your app, could you explain us how your app track our sport activities.

Is there some special algorythmes sport per sport to count calories & mouvements for example or the info is provided directly with an internal garmin function in the watch ?

e.g. I'm a tennis player. Could you tell us what you track and record during this activity, wich sensors you use , etc .

I can imagine that other users will expect the same thing for other sports.

I know that your app is a sport app, but you can add some life activities, like gardening, mowing the lawn, tinkering at home ... because the vivosmart is not only a sportwatch for extreme sport guy, it's a smartwatch and an daily activity tracker ... :-)

Last but not least I'm a french guy, if you need a translator to provide your app in other language, just ask me :-)

and again, thanks for your job

Bruno.

dugeem.david over 10 years ago

I added support for a few more data fields, including temperature. Unfortunately, I don't have a Tempe to test with, so I have no idea if it works. If someone out there has a temperature sensor, I would greatly appreciate it if you could tell me if it works or not.

Travis

Just tried it with my VA v2.70. Temperature doesn't show unfortunately. Also noticed that temp data field on bottom row didn't seem to stick (changed back to timer)

Also when I attempted to change the activity/subtype type the watch crashed.

cyndist over 10 years ago

Looks like a great app. But when I went into training unspecified it did a double image of the screen then froze then crashed. =)