Just received my foot pod from Amazon. Anyone else use one with a Fenix 5 for outdoor running? If so what settings do you use? Did you perform any manual calibration or just leave it on auto calibrate? Do you notice any difference for instant pace or your final pace graphs?
To illustrate what I mean by "different graphs" I've attached a couple of screen grabs. The number of data points on the graph are far fewer with the foot pod than without. Without the foot pod the number of blobs/points plotted almost make it look like a continuous line. The pace, cadence, vertical ratio etc figures are all quite similar between those produced by the foot pod and those produced by the HRM-RUN.
The run loaded up to Garmin Connect so I assume the pace on there is taken from the foot pod? I don't see any mention of the foot pod in the stats for the activity so curious how people know that the foot pod signal was connected the whole time. (Settings: Speed always, Distance indoors)
Unfortunately there's no indication on Garmin Connect as to the source of pace (foot pod or GPS), but it's normally pretty obvious when you zoom in on the pace chart; GPS pace is usually pretty noisy and foot pod smoother. (I can't comment on 'GPS' pace from Suunto watches, as they use a system Suunto called fused pace that 'smoothes' the GPS pace using pace derived from the watch internal accelerometers)
Could you tell me what happens with footpod calibration
When one day i run 4min per km and next day 7 min per km
So calibration will be always change and i never will have current speed correct right?
I use speed always and distance indoors
As previously commented, you won't necessarily get a different calibration factor for a different pace or running up/down hill; but many people do find that their calibration factor is a little different for different speeds and types of terrain. That's simply down to different running forms for different speeds/terrains can throw the foot pod accelerometer algorithms off by slightly different amounts. That said, I find I get a calibration factor of around 92.5 for road running and 93.5 for off road running in mud; so if I split the difference and use 93.0, I'm only going to be half a percent out for either scenario (and for a mixed run it'll average out to be spot on).
and to show what I mean by gaps in the foot pod data here is another image -
The only running dynamic metric that the foot pod provides is cadence, but only if an HRM Run is not connected (HRM Run is higher on the sensor hierarchy to provide cadence). All of the metrics you show can only come from the HRM Run (or a running dynamics pod if you have one).
Have you checked what the charts look like in Garmin Connect Mobile (or if you expand the charts by clicking of the symbol top right)? I sometimes see those 'spotty' charts on the Garmin Connect website, but everything usually looks fine in Garmin Connect Mobile.
If you get the Stryd foot pod you will have the most accurate foot pod out there (in my experience) and you will get all the running dynamics in addition to running power.
Thanks Crispin. I downloaded http://fitfilerepairtool.info and I can see that the source for cadence etc is the HRM-RUN. The only thing I can't find using that tool is Stride Length, I'll have another look for that tonight but I imagine it'll be the same deal and the HRM-RUN will be used as the source. As for the gaps in data points they are present in connect mobile as well as connect web. The only thing I can imagine is that static build up may have caused some interference? I wear a Skins compression top and they do get very staticky and with this being an interval run that will have generated more static. As for the run that shows sparse data points I don't have a clue. I'll head out for another run tonight to see what happens.
Another newbie question- I have the 5s and have my first Ultra next month. I have no idea how long this will take me. I'm guessing between 11-13.5 hours. The battery life on the 5s is estimated up to 14 hours.
Could I use ultratrac and a footpod to save battery but to have more accurate speed/distance data?
Could I use ultratrac and a footpod to save battery but to have more accurate speed/distance data?
Absolutely yes (set foot pod to Speed>Always and Distance>Always). From my limited testing of Ultratrac, even if you don't have the foot pod the watch uses its own internal accelerometer to derive pace and distance anyway (ultratrac GPS is just simply not appropriate), giving surprisingly good results. A calibrated foot pod should be even better though.
Could you tell me if i have always footpod on distance/speed and i will always run outside speed will ok ? Footpod will be always calibration automatically?
Hi!
I have a Fenix 5 and I'm thinking about upgrading it with a Pod for more running Metrics.
But I don't quite understand what Pod to go for...? :confused:
I'm looking at Garmin RD, Garmin Foot Pod or Stryd (are there others worth checking out...?)
Stryd seems quite expensive and maybe overkill for my needs but I'm willing to pay if there's a big difference.
I'm interested in current pace, stride length, SPM and GCT to be able to perhaps vary som things in my running.
Also ability to use on Treadmill to get better pace/distance indoors (though I haven't tested the F5 alone on a Treadmill yet, I believe it will be inprecise like other devices...?)
Well, am I correct looking at these products? Any inputs?
