Feature Request: include foot pod in step count

Former Member over 6 years ago

This request would apply to other watches too but I’m putting it here because the Fenix is what I’m wearing.

There are a number of ways of walking where steps aren’t detected: pushing a shopping cart, walking with a cane in the watch hand, treadmill while holding handles, etc. Lots of times when it would be useful in rehab and isn’t.

Could we have the device count footpod data toward the step count? Make it a switchable option if there is a concern with battery drain. Expecting this to work is why I bought the footpod.

Thanks for consideration.

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0 54439ec710d94c7b9c4dd5bbf96d089b over 2 years ago in reply to trux

Will the Vivoki overwrite the steps tracked by the watch in an activity? Can it paid like a footpod to be the driver during said activity? I recently got a zwift runpod and it does not track steps.

0 trux over 2 years ago in reply to 54439ec710d94c7b9c4dd5bbf96d089b

Vivoki only counts steps, it does not deliver any running dynamics data like foot pods do. It will sync steps data when your watch is not connected. I do not know how it works when you wear both the vivoki and the watch in the same time, but I guess that the watch takes the priority (as long as it is set as the priority tracker).

0 54439ec710d94c7b9c4dd5bbf96d089b over 2 years ago in reply to trux

hmm so not what I need then. My wifes Venu 2 plus has the worst step tracking I have come across in a fitness tracker. Step tracking happens to be the most important metric to her as well. Back to the drawing board of trying to find a footpod that will sync while she uses the walk activity and track steps.

0 trux over 2 years ago in reply to 54439ec710d94c7b9c4dd5bbf96d089b

I do not think it is possible to use a secondary device counting steps, as long as you simultaneously wear the watch that is set as the primary activity tracker. You better have the Venu 2 replaced, if it does not count steps correctly.

0 54439ec710d94c7b9c4dd5bbf96d089b over 2 years ago in reply to trux

So I was skeptic on it as well but here is what a Garmin rep told me:

As long as the foot pod is paired to your watch as a foot pod it will override the watch and record as the sensor for step data while you are in an activity.

As for replacing the Venu 2. This is already the second one. The first did the same thing out of the box. This one worked as expected for about 2-3 weeks and then got way off. At this point I am more inclined to believe its a software issue or maybe even a bad sensor being used for the Venu 2's.

0 trux over 2 years ago in reply to 54439ec710d94c7b9c4dd5bbf96d089b

54439ec710d94c7b9c4dd5bbf96d089b said:
Garmin rep told me

Well, Garmin's website tells something else:

Improving the Step Distance Accuracy of My Garmin Outdoor Watch | Garmin Customer Support

Using a foot pod will NOT affect the total number of steps for the day. Using a foot pod can improve distance and pace readings, but only while recording a timed activity. Daily step totals are only recorded using the internal 3-axis accelerometer of a Garmin watch that has an activity tracking feature. For additional troubleshooting suggestions with regard to accuracy of step counting, see Related below.

However, this is not the best forum for discussing problems with Venu 2. This forum is dedicated to Fenix 5 series. You better ask on the Venu 2 forum whether other owners have similar problems.