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New Garmin sailing app

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Created by dachopper > 9 months ago, 22 Jan 2020
dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
22 Jan 2020 5:54PM
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So guys, I've just finished my first garmin watch app targeting sailing, kiting, windsurfing, and it's free.
In the connect IQ store.
App Name : sail Racer
Included speed, max speed, VMG directly upwind, angle off the wind, track , elapsed distance, session recording with Google earth output, speed graph .... and the masterpiece
In the main menu a polar logger. It records max speed against all compass headings, and saves so you can make a polar graph using excell to find out your target speeds to give best upwind or downwind performance. Let me know what you think, or if you have any suggestions I can implement






AquaPlow
QLD, 1051 posts
22 Jan 2020 9:14PM
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awesome.. will look at getting garmin
qu re polar readout. where you testing it with a power boat???
i am clueless to the wind direction
cheers
AP

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
22 Jan 2020 10:18PM
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AquaPlow said..
awesome.. will look at getting garmin
qu re polar readout. where you testing it with a power boat???
i am clueless to the wind direction
cheers
AP


I was riding my Bike around the block :) hence why I was off the wind 10 degrees at max speed :)

Wind Direction on the graph is 360

brinm
75 posts
23 Jan 2020 4:38AM
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G'day, well done, does your app have to receive Garmin files or can it interprete stuff from other devices suh as Navi GT series (.gpx, .sbn and other file types)?
Maybe have a look at gpsresults.com...they have a pretty mature product...only thing missing is jumps...

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
23 Jan 2020 1:40PM
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brinm said..
G'day, well done, does your app have to receive Garmin files or can it interprete stuff from other devices suh as Navi GT series (.gpx, .sbn and other file types)?
Maybe have a look at gpsresults.com...they have a pretty mature product...only thing missing is jumps...


It's written in the garmin code, so i think its locked to them.

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
23 Jan 2020 5:36PM
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Version 1.1 uploaded today - Race Countdown added, Polar log filter added to detect tacks / gybes and only log if you have a steady GPS track. If you donwload - please give the app a rating so it appears higher in the store visibility & I'll keep developing it. Waypoints are next on the list.

brinm
75 posts
24 Jan 2020 2:52AM
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with the demise of other gps trackers (Trace, Xensr et al) u might have an opportunity if you can read other types of file.....there is a gap in the market for a good user-friendly, intelligent app made by someone who understands our actual need.....

MikeyG
WA, 156 posts
24 Jan 2020 6:35AM
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I've searched the store and can't find it? I've got a Fenix 3 - is it compatible?

looking at your screen shots, only thing missing is the time of the day. Always useful as I'm sure many of us have jobs / families etc to get to.

Thanks

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
24 Jan 2020 9:34PM
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MikeyG said..
I've searched the store and can't find it? I've got a Fenix 3 - is it compatible?

looking at your screen shots, only thing missing is the time of the day. Always useful as I'm sure many of us have jobs / families etc to get to.

Thanks


Sail Racer?

It's in there,,, it's the first app that comes up.. it has time if day, I think every field that has elapsed time, rotates every 4 seconds to time if day in the app.

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
25 Jan 2020 7:27AM
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Version 1.2 uploading today.
Added sport selection ( kitesurf/windsurf/Sail/ etc... ) with remembering of your preference
Added record data- max speed of all time, longest distance all time, as well as session max and session distance to the activity summary on your phone.
Session total number of tacks and number of gybes
Formatted polar data for ease of plotting, with all values defaulting to zero.
main menu has change wind added as an option in session.
Added race countdown timer which can be set after you hit start, or changed on the fly in the middle of a countdown
Coming shortly....
Tack angle and Gybe angle calculator, which will also be added to the session summary.
Adding the beeps and vibrations.

Question... at present when you start recording, the Elapsed time increases.... do you think you would like any other indication aside from ET counting up? I could add some red graphics easily? Or keep it clean it will be easier to read?

Plummet
4862 posts
25 Jan 2020 11:07PM
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What about jump height? Is that possible?

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
26 Jan 2020 12:38AM
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Plummet said..
What about jump height? Is that possible?


Yep... I've just done tack and gybe angle calculator and beeps.

Then waypoint nav is next

Then jumps

kiter64
WA, 45 posts
26 Jan 2020 11:47AM
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Doesnt appear to be compatible with Fenix HR3 .... pity

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
26 Jan 2020 1:26PM
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kiter64 said..
Doesnt appear to be compatible with Fenix HR3 .... pity

Unlucky....I made it compatible with any connect iq3 watch, to take advantage of all the new features available.

natho6026961
WA, 115 posts
26 Jan 2020 8:40PM
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whoa how does it know where "upwind" is from that polar plot?

Still using my $20 underwater watch from Decathlon, tells the time beautiful.

airsail
QLD, 1239 posts
27 Jan 2020 8:04AM
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Seems starting an activity is problematic. Fenix 5, There seems to be no indication that the app is running, or idle awaiting start.
Other apps a large green arrow appears accompanied by a beep and vibe. With this app this is not the case and a session is easily missed while watch remains at idle.

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
27 Jan 2020 11:06AM
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airsail said..
Seems starting an activity is problematic. Fenix 5, There seems to be no indication that the app is running, or idle awaiting start.
Other apps a large green arrow appears accompanied by a beep and vibe. With this app this is not the case and a session is easily missed while watch remains at idle.


There is an elapsed timer on most pages, if that time is increasing... your session is running.
The current version I also have vibrations for start, two vibrations for stop and 3 for save session. ( Uploading shortly after I test it today )

Do you think the elapsed time increasing is enough? I could add a red box around the time or a RED circle or dot somewhere.... however, it does start to clog up the page and the elapsed time is the giveaway.

The system times swaps between system and elapsed time every 4 seconds.

i'm also going to add race countdown vibrations.

airsail
QLD, 1239 posts
27 Jan 2020 7:51PM
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Yes, I see the elapsed time now, these over 50 eyes aren't the best on the small text on land, let alone on the water. The vibration on start will help a lot, I look forward to the update. Where do we access the polar graph?

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
27 Jan 2020 9:22PM
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You need to use the app( not the datafield). On your PC, drop a blank text file into the garmin/apps/ log folder in your watch, the polar gets written in there at the end of the session. When you click save. It does over write itself also, so you need to enable polar log in the menu, record one session, then plug your watch into the pc and copy the polar data from the text file, to say an excell. Excell has polar chart options... called radar charts.

It's a bit of a pain to do it, put if you want polar data - it all ways will be.

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
28 Jan 2020 10:05PM
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Uploaded version 1.4 TodayImproved display compatibility if you have a smaller watch resolutionAdded vibrations to all menus that save data + the race countdown at 3 min 2 min 1 min 30 sec, 20 sec, 10 secs.Added Tack and Gybe min speed filter ( adjustable ) to stop the watch recording a tack if you walk across a boat, or on the shore.


ActionSportsWA
WA, 950 posts
29 Jan 2020 10:37AM
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Hi Dachopper,

Is there a simple user manual for the app. I have installed it and tried using it the other day but it didn't record my data after I failed to push go once the app opened. I cant seem to find where the start sequence is initiated.

The app is cool for sure and the display is good for max and current speed etc, but with my old eyes, without my glasses I can't take advantage of any of the smaller fonts on the face.

I've been looking for an app that does a 5 minute countdown timer and then switches to data recording and GPS tracking for the races. Currently I use either Sailing Timer for starts and that's great but doesn't track the course after start, only elapsed time. I also use VMG app which is sensational for working on VMG and training or collecting GPS tracks and data.

Is it possible to hit Lap to start a fresh sequence for multiple races or do you save abd start a fresh session?

Thanks for the hard work.

DM

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
29 Jan 2020 9:02PM
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Hey DM..... Thanks for the wetty BTW :) ....

if you have the version I just uploaded, it will vibrate when it starts recording once, you also see the elapsed time increasing, and if you click on the back menu, there is Save, and Save and exit where it beeps 3 times to indicate it was saved. Big thing is the elapsed time at the bottom of the display.... counting up = recording

For the countdown, you can either hit Menu, once on the main screen and find race countdown, and then select the one you want.... it will sit at - X minutes until you click start....... or just click start when the start sequence commences, and then select the countdown that it should be, and the time will change to a countdown realtime. ie you don't have to pre-select 5 minute countdown, you can select it after starting the recording of the session and it will still work for you,

On the manual, I will look at something when it's finished, still trying to figure out ergonomics of waypoint data entry and navigation

The countdown timer, is also the same timer used for the session record... so if the time is increasing the session is recording.

I would recommend starting another session, if you want your data separate, otherwise you will have 1 huge session in garmin connect..

Just click on start again , and if it was recording, it will take you to the save page, and then back to 0 ready for another start sequence

ActionSportsWA
WA, 950 posts
30 Jan 2020 12:04PM
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dachopper said..

For the countdown, you can either hit Menu, once on the main screen and find race countdown, and then select the one you want.... it will sit at - X minutes until you click start....... or just click start when the start sequence commences, and then select the countdown that it should be, and the time will change to a countdown realtime. ie you don't have to pre-select 5 minute countdown, you can select it after starting the recording of the session and it will still work for you,




Hey Nick,

I can't get the countdown/start sequence function to work. Hitting Menu from the main screen only turns the screen backlighting on or off. I have a Fenix 5 if this makes a difference.

The start function is the most important part of my race, all the rest is nice to have, but not need to have. A good start is the difference between winning and losing. The other functionality is great for training and having the data to analyse after the race is cool.

Any thoughts? It's a very comprehensive app and for training its a hit.

DM

Lorgra
WA, 215 posts
30 Jan 2020 12:44PM
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ActionSportsWA said..

dachopper said..

For the countdown, you can either hit Menu, once on the main screen and find race countdown, and then select the one you want.... it will sit at - X minutes until you click start....... or just click start when the start sequence commences, and then select the countdown that it should be, and the time will change to a countdown realtime. ie you don't have to pre-select 5 minute countdown, you can select it after starting the recording of the session and it will still work for you,





Hey Nick,

I can't get the countdown/start sequence function to work. Hitting Menu from the main screen only turns the screen backlighting on or off. I have a Fenix 5 if this makes a difference.

The start function is the most important part of my race, all the rest is nice to have, but not need to have. A good start is the difference between winning and losing. The other functionality is great for training and having the data to analyse after the race is cool.

Any thoughts? It's a very comprehensive app and for training its a hit.

DM


Darren

I have the Fenix 5.

Just woked it out. Once in the app press and hold the middle button on the left hand side then scroll down and select Race Countdown the scroll to select countdown time.

Will give the app a go on the week end.

Looks great so far.

Cheers G

ActionSportsWA
WA, 950 posts
30 Jan 2020 4:48PM
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Hey Grant,

Sweet find! Thanks also to Nick. Works great In an ideal world, the start timer would take up half the screen as all data besides start timer is irrelevent before the start. If it could be made large font and then shrink back to it's current size at zero countdown, it would be perfect.

Maybe just a thought for future updates if even at all possible. Everything else seems to run as described.

Great App

DM

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
30 Jan 2020 6:22PM
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ActionSportsWA said..
Hey Grant,

Sweet find! Thanks also to Nick. Works great In an ideal world, the start timer would take up half the screen as all data besides start timer is irrelevent before the start. If it could be made large font and then shrink back to it's current size at zero countdown, it would be perfect.

Maybe just a thought for future updates if even at all possible. Everything else seems to run as described.

Great App

DM


Do u need anything else ? just timer? That's easy

bolgo
WA, 880 posts
30 Jan 2020 8:04PM
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down loaded to my Fenix 6x
will give it a crack
good work

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
30 Jan 2020 9:26PM
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DM - Done, Full page Countdown for Speed 1 or Nav 1 page, if the countdown has been selected until Time == 0.

version 1.4.2

dachopper
WA, 1784 posts
31 Jan 2020 8:18PM
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Sail Racer User Guide :
When you first open the App, turn the watch left or right to decrease / increase the wind speed, and click (start) once your approximation of wind speed is displayed. This is not used in computations, but is displayed in your Connect IQ activity - Session Summary. Next, point the arrow into wind, and click next. This will store the wind direction, which is used for VMG upwind / downwind and angle off the wind calculations. If the wind changes during the session, you can re-set the wind from the Sail Racer main menu.Screens - currently there are 7 main screens, with the general purpose screen displaying first, selecting up or down will cycle through 3 speed oriented screens, and 3 navigation oriented screens. Access to the main menu, and start / stop session can be done from any of these screens.Most of the screens have local watch Time / Session record time towards the bottom, that will cycle between the two values every 4 - 6 seconds.
Recording - Prior to recording, if you wish to also record Polar Data, select this option in the main menu. If you have done this in the past, then the watch will remember your preference. To start recording, click start, the watch session time near the bottom will change to RED colour and start increasing ( on all screens ) and the watch will vibrate once. To stop recording, push the same button, the watch will vibrate twice and the Save / Discard / Save and Exit / Exit menu will be displayed. Move up or down to select the option desired, and if Save is selected, the watch will vibrate 3 times to indicate save completed and exit, or be ready to record another session.
Race Countdown - The race countdown uses a modified session recording time, to display a countdown for use in any pre-race countdown situation. To use this feature, simply start recording when the 5 or 10 minute gun / flag is displayed, and then enter the main menu to select the desired countdown. This will then be applied to the session time that is already running realtime. There are built in vibrations at 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 secs, 20 secs and from 10 secs to zero secs to go. The Speed 1 screen and Nav 1 screen will show the race countdown covering the entire screen, until time = 0, then go back to the normal display screen. You may also set the race countdown timer before you start recording in the main menu, and it will remain at - X minutes until you select record.
Main Menu - To access the main menu from any of the 7 screens, hold the menu button for 2 - 3 seconds until the menu is displayed. To navigate use the Previous / Next buttons and Start to select an Item.
-Reset Wind Direction
-Enable Polar Logging
-Edit / Enter Waypoint information ( Not Available until version 2.0+ )
-Edit / Enter Courses ( Not Available until version 2.0+)
-Select Race Countdown-Select Activity Type - as shown in your Activity Summary in Garmin Connect
-Adjust Tack / Gybe Filter
The Tack / Gybe filter, allows you to set a minimum speed that needs to be held as you pass through the wind direction. This is to filter out tacks being recorded when you are walking around on the beach, floating in the water or walking on a boat deck. By default 2 kts upwind, 3 kts downwind. It's recommended to set this higher if your tack or gybe angles occasionally appear incorrect. After a tack or gybe, the heading you are on will not be recorded until your speed has stopped increasing and is stable, to give an accurate tack angle
Polar Log feature - this feature allows you to record polar data, to later obtain a plot of max speed vs wind angle on a PC / Mac. To use this feature first go into the main menu and enable polar logging. The instant log, records max speed Vs angle off the wind, every second without filters, and as a result, if you preform fast tacks / gybes / you will have unsustainable speeds recorded against some of the angles. The Average log reduces this by adding 5 seconds of recordings together, and averaging the resulting vector out. And by ignoring all speed values that occur when the heading is not steady.To record the polar log you must place a blank Text document on your watch in the Garmin / Apps / Log folder, and call it Sail Racer. Every time you record a session, or exit the watch application, the Polar log and tacking information will be overwritten. So if you want Polar data off your watch from a session, enable polar logging, ensure the text file is in the folder on your watch, Start the session, Save and exit once finished. Do not open the app again, until you have plugged it into a PC and copied the data from the text file. If you open the app before copying, or start another recording session, the polar data will be overwritten.Once Polar data is in the text file, you can copy and paste into a program such as MS excel, use the import wizard when you paste, click next and select Comma to separate the separate values.Then Highlight all the excel data boxes, right click quick analysis, chart, radar chart. It's a bit of a pain, but the only way it can be done at present. Enjoy... Nick

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
31 Jan 2020 9:32PM
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ActionSportsWA
WA, 950 posts
1 Feb 2020 11:58AM
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Jesus Nick!

That's bloody fantastic! Love your work. Can I be a little critical? The countdown timer is legible in daylight with my old buggered eyes, but in the shop, I struggle to make it out. Is it possible to easily make the font the same size as, say the Speed reading? I can get by with it the way it is, but it would be so much easier to read in a bigger font.

Many thanks, great app! Will recommend the race crew get onto it

DM



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"New Garmin sailing app" started by dachopper