Garmin Vivosmart 5. Get real-time heart rate data on a desktop application.

Hi, I want to retrieve real-time heart rate data from my Garmin Vivosmart 5 on a desktop application (cli app). I can see that FIT SDK can read FIT files.

I'm curious as to how to get these FIT files from Garmin Vivosmart 5 to my desktop. It would be preferable if the transfers/broadcasts happen in real-time, although a delay of a few seconds is acceptable.

Top Replies

Ben FIT over 1 year ago +1 suggested

FIT is not used for realtime data transfer. Instead you want to use the ANT or Bluetooth protocol to get realtime HR data.

Looking at the docs for the the vívosmart® 5, it will broadcast HR over ANT+ so you can…

All Replies

0 Ben FIT over 1 year ago

FIT is not used for realtime data transfer. Instead you want to use the ANT or Bluetooth protocol to get realtime HR data.

Looking at the docs for the the vívosmart® 5, it will broadcast HR over ANT+ so you can use the device like an HRM.

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-8674F17E-62B2-48DE-927A-251611664658/EN-US/GUID-3629BD02-A0FB-4F18-B1A4-600C2643C835.html

You will need an ANT Stick
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/10997

You can find libraries and example code here
https://www.thisisant.com/developer/resources/downloads/

and a description of the ANT+ HRM Profile here.
https://www.thisisant.com/developer/resources/downloads/#documents_tab

There are other resources, tools, and a forum that should help at https://www.thisisant.com/

0 Chandan Raj over 1 year ago in reply to Ben FIT

Hi, thanks for the quick reply. In the owner manual, I cannot see BLE mentioned. However, on the product page, it mentions Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ as connectivity features. So can I assume I can use Bluetooth Smart means BLE and I can use a Python script to get real-time HR?

0 Ben FIT over 1 year ago in reply to Chandan Raj

This support page lists the vivosmart 5 as being able to broadcast HR over BLE Smart, so it may do what you need it to do.

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Zj1947s6pqAHzBCAhLhrC9

0 Chandan Raj 11 months ago in reply to Ben FIT

Hi,

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm wondering if Vivosmart 4 also supports live HR broadcasts over BLE. In the manual for Vivosmart 4 and Vivosmart 5, the "Broadcast you HR data" section is the same. The specs page also mentions Bluetooth Smart in Vivosmart 4.