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Compass and Heading in IQ datafields

SteveRodkey
over 5 years ago

I have been having a problem with compass direction and heading in Connect IQ data fields.  They seem to work when the bike is stationary, however when I am riding, they jump all around the place.  The normal Garmin fields for these work just fine.  I know these things work on other edge models like 1030.  Does anyone know if there is an issue with the Connect IQ API where something needs to be done differently with an 830 vs a 1030?  Has anyone else tried these on an 830?  The data fields I have tried are HMs DIY and Compass Orientation Course.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    In order to explore more, I wrote my own IQ datafield.  It seems info.currentHeading is returning random junk when the bike is moving.  I found a bug report for the same issue on the 530 from two months ago.  Can someone from Garmin provide feedback?  This is something which needs to be addressed.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Same for me but with Fenix 5. 

    I've recorded info.currentHeading during a running activity with a F5. The following chart shows the heading for a straight part of my running course in degrees 

    E.g. the heading direction changes suddenly from 100deg at time=48s to 302deg at time=51s, i.e. from ~E to ~NW. This is nearly the opposite direction.

    I understand that heading may swing somewhat. But as the chart shows it swings at a magnitude which means that the running direction changes randomly from forward to backward almost every few sec.

    I've now tested all possible compass settings and calibrated the compass many times, but the oscillation remains stable.

    If I interrupt the running an walk the oscillation decreases as can be shown in this chart e.g. between time 1:43:20 and 1:45:00

    This seems to indicate that the oscillation depends on the movement of the arm/watch during running.

    Furthermore I've also observed that the compass is orientation dependend. If the watch face points to the sky the compass shows a plausible North direction. If I rotate the watch so that it's watch face points to the bottom, the North and South directions are exchanged.

    forums.garmin.com/.../1073953

    Can anyone explain to me what is going on there?

    Fenix 5, SW 20.00
    GPS 2.60
    CIQ 3.1.8
    SDK version 3.1.9

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to subra

    I don't know what's going on in the Fenix 5, but I would expect it would need the face to be held horizontal, as you would do with a compass, to get a good magnetic heading.  Heading is different from course.  Heading is the direction you're facing and course is the direction you're traveling.  These can be different. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to looigi

    Thank you for the response.

    From my POV it seems to be a bug in the SW and I just try to clarify this in the CIQ forum

    https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/f/discussion/234714/during-running-a-straight-course-info-currentheading-oscillates-strong