Released for Fitbit Ionic is Waypoints the first Navigation app for Fitbit Ionic.
Overview
Waypoints is a full feature navigation aid, which uses the inbuilt GPS in the Ionic to guide you via a route made up of Waypoints.
Disclaimer
Note that the accuracy of the Ionic GPS may be impaired if not in the open. The direction of travel and estimated time of arrival are indicative and the route may not be possible or safe. Waypoints should be used as a guide only, you should always check your position on a map/chart.
Mobile App
Waypoints allows you to enter 4 Routes, each with up to 20 waypoints through the mobile device. Routes are entered as comma separated variable lists as
route name, Lat1, Long1, Lat2, Long2, etc.
You do not need to leave a space between the name or Lat/Long, but a comma must be included. 5 decimal places is enough for the accuracy of the Ionic.
An example using two waypoints is myroute,51.12345,-1.67890,51.1235,-1.67
(+ are north and east, - are south and west.)
Note the different number of decimal places, it doesn't matter. Waypoints validates your route for correct syntax and can display a route summary once it is loaded.
Routes can be compiled offline using Google Earth/Maps or other navigation program/website (www.maps.ie and https://www.gps-coordinates.net are very good). They could be edited as a text file/email and then pasted in to the mobile device.
Other settings are 12/24hr mode, Units (Km, Miles, Km), The GPS Update rate (Continuous or in steps up to 10 minutes) and Auto-Waypoint Distance.
For Walking we suggest an GPS update rate of 45 or 60 seconds, but to extend battery life or if slow moving you could set a longer interval. For running 15 or 30 seconds could be used. Continuous will drain the battery in a few hours, so use with caution.
Auto-Waypoint Distance automatically determines when you are close to a Waypoint and sets the next Waypoint. If walking 50 or 100m is usually okay, but if you are moving fast or using a longer rate then you might want to experiment with larger distances, otherwise you will have to manually select the next waypoint.
Ionic
Waypoints uses the button as follows,
- Left is exit,
- Top Right is menu/hide
- Bottom Right is Start/Stop/Select.
Select a route
To use Waypoints enter your routes and user settings in the mobile device and sync to Waypoints. Then press the top right button and click on routes. Select a route, Waypoints will show you summary details. Press the Top Right button to go back to the menu.
Preview
You can now preview your Waypoints by clicking on Waypoints. The distance and bearing is from the previous Waypoint. Press the top right button to get back to the main screen.
Start
To start the selected route press the Bottom Right button, then press start. You can stop and pause the route. Note the GPS only runs whilst the route is running to save battery power. Press the Bottom Right button to return to the main display. When Waypoints acquires the GPS it will give you a buzz.
Waypoints main screen
Waypoints now shows you your speed and heading, distance and direction relative to your direction of travel and an estimate of the time to go.
If your position is up to date, then your heading and speed are shown in green. If you have missed an update (loss of GPS signal) it is shown in white and if you miss two or more updates heading and speed are shown in red. When you loose the GPS updates the last valid heading and speed are shown.
The heading and speed are calculated between two GPS reads and is only valid whilst you are moving, so it takes at least two GPS positions to give you an indication. The direction to the next Waypoint is based on your current position and heading. The arrow is colour coded to show if you are heading towards or away from the Waypoint.
If you are within 45 degrees it is shown in green
If you are between 45 and 90 degrees it is shown in white
If you are greater than 90 degrees, you are heading away from your Waypoint and it is shown in red
Time to Go (Estimate)
The 'Time to Go' to the next Waypoint is an estimate based on how fast you are heading towards your next Waypoint. Remember that the direction and 'Time to Go' are all based on straight lines and this route might not be practical or safe. It is up to you to confirm on the map.
Auto-Waypoint
When you are close to a Waypoint, Auto-waypoints detects you have arrived and buzzes. The next waypoint is displayed.
Manual selection
If you miss a Waypoint or want to skip to another part of the route, press
the Top Right Button, then click on Waypoints, use the 'Next', 'Last' buttons to select the Waypoint you want to go to (the distance and bearing from your present location is shown) and press the Bottom Right button. The Waypoint heading will turn Green to show it has been selected. Press the Top Right Button to close.
GPS Position
The current GPS position, speed and altitude can be displayed by pressing the Top Right button and then clicking on GPS.
About the App
Waypoints was developed for walking, but could be used for any sport where some sort of a route is needed to be followed, e.g. cycling, running, sailing, canoe. I wrote it to avoid having to take my map or phone out when hill walking, the Ionic is waterproof and because it is 'always on' it is always ready to let you know where you are.
If you use 30 seconds or 1 minute battery life is really good, easily lasting all day.
Waypoints can be downloaded here
https://gam.fitbit.com/gallery/clock/24e04cdf-0097-4b35-9712-d86f78189580
It is currently priced at $1.99, but has a 30 day free trial and lots of discounts.
Leave a reply or message me for further help.
