8,153
edits
Changes
From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
no edit summary
This is a pair of small Windows utilities utility that analyzes a run and calculates the appropriate recalibration for your [[Best Running Watch|Garmin]] [[Footpod]]. Important note: The software Garmin Connect web site is available as a GUI and a Command Line Interfaceno longer exporting the needed footpod data in the TCX file. Note, this is open source and I've released under [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GPL]a beta version of the utility that will read the raw FIT files. ==Device Support==The following devices have been tested.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|'''Garmin 310XT'''910XT |Supported|Using TCX File
|-
|'''Garmin 910XT'''iPhone with iSmoothRun |Supported|Using TCX File
|-
|'''iPhone with iSmoothRun'''Garmin Fenix 2 |Supported|Requires Beta for FIT file support.
|-
|'''Garmin Fenix 2'''620 |Supported |To convert the Requires Beta for FIT file to TCX, upload to Garmin Connect, then export as a TCX filesupport.
|-
|'''Garmin 620'''610 |Supported |To convert For the FIT file calibration run the speed source must be set to TCX[[Footpod]], upload to Garmin Connect, then export as a TCX not GPS. Requires Beta for FIT filesupport.
|-
|'''Garmin 610'''210 |Supported |For the calibration run the speed source must be set to [[Footpod]], not GPSRequires Beta for FIT file support.
|-
|'''Garmin 210'''405 |SupportedTCX Unsupported (FIT untested)|The watch saves a .fit file but you can use Does not write any speed or distance information from the website garmin Connect [[Footpod]] to export as .tcxthe TCX file.
|-
|'''Garmin 405'''410 |TCX Unsupported(FIT untested)|Does not write any speed or distance information from the [[Footpod]] to the TCX file.
|-
|'''Garmin 410'''305 |TCX Unsupported(FIT untested)|Does not write any speed or distance information from the [[Footpod]] to the TCX file.|-|'''Garmin 305'''|Unsupported|Exports from [[Garmin Connect]] contain what looks like speed data from the [[Footpod]], but it matches the GPS signal perfectly.
|}
The Garmin devices record your position along with other data such as [[Heart Rate]] every few seconds. If the [[Footpod]] is active, then the speed according to the [[Footpod]] is also recorded. By looking at each position that is recorded, you can work out how far you've traveled and how long it took. That should be the same as the foodpod speed if the GPS is accurate and [[Footpod]] is calibrated.
This is using the same principle as the Garmin calibration run, where you tell the Garmin to calibrate and then run about 1 Kilometer. The calibration run is comparing the GPS distance covered with the [[Footpod]] reported speed. The advantage of this utility is that you can use any run to check the calibration and you can run much further.
The biggest flaw in the approach is that it relies on the GPS signal, and GPS is not that accurate itself. If you do not have a GPS signal, such as a [[Treadmill|treadmill]] run, then there is no calibration possible and this utility will show that no calibration can be automatically performed. That is because the Garmin recorded data is based on the [[Footpod]], so it's calibrating the [[Footpod]] against itself.
The best run to use for calibration is a run that has the most accurate GPS data. That will be a run that is reasonably straight, as twists and turns tend to reduce the [[GPS Accuracy|GPS accuracy]]. A good view of a clear sky can also help a little.
A better approach would be to run a known distance, either on a track or using a known course and calibrate against that known value. The GUI version allows this type of adjustment.
* Why is the 'actual distance' different from what I ran?
** The 'actual distance' field is updated based on 'good data', and ignores data where the [[Footpod]] and the GPS are wildly different.
* Check the executable for viruses ([[Trust No One]]!)
There is no further installation ;}
This utility does not require a special calibration run to gather data. Any run with your Garmin 310XT and Foot Pod enabled will provide the data needed. Running at a steady pace will provide good data. If you take [[Walking Breaks]], this will tend to produce a lot of variability.
My code has been ported to an online version at http://dashr.net:4000. However, this version is not always available.
* Run the executable (GarminFootpodCalibration.exe).
* On startup If you click on the "Open History Files…" it will look for the history files transferred for the Garmin Ant Agent.===Easy Mode===* On startup, and you should will see a screen similar to the one below.
[[File:EasyMode.jpg]]
* If you have the TCX or FIT file, you can open them directly. * Use the tree view on the left to select the file you are interested in. You can expand a file with laps to view each lap seperatelyseparately.
* Entering your current calibration factor will show a new calibration factor you can enter based on the selected exercise or lap.
* If you know the distance you ran, such as a marked course or a treadmill, you can enter that value for a more accurate calibration.
* Hovering the mouse will produce extra help.
* You can load a file that has been exported from [[Garmin Training Center]] (see below) using the File, Open menu.
* The graphs give a visual representation of the calibration data.
** The top graph is the distance recorded by GPS and the [[Footpod]]. The values vary, as the Garmin does not record at even intervals,
** The bottom graph is the scaling factor. The horizontal lines show the average and the standard deviations. ===Expert Mode===* Clicking on the 'Expert Mode' check box gives more detail and more options.
[[File:ExpertMode.jpg]]
As always [[Contact Me]] if you have a problem and I will try to help. Emailing me the TCX file helps debug any issues.
You can also download the source code from http://fellrnr.com//Utilities/CalibrateFootPod/ParseTCX.zip
If you get this message, it is probable that you don't have the .NET framework version 2.0 installed. Version 2.0 has been around a long time, and most users should have it available; I've only had this error reported once by a someone using an XP partition on a Mac.
The first thing to check is that you’re you're running a version of XP with at least service pack 2 installed, preferably 3. If you go to control panel, then system, the general tab should have "service pack X" shown. If you don’t don't have SP2 or SP3, windows update should handle the upgrade for you.
If you have SP2 or SP3, you can download .NET 2.0 and the updates for .NET 2.0 SP2 from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa731542
* V2.7
** Get iRunSmooth support right this time.
* V2.6
** Fix build bug in 2.5.
** Initial release
** Available as http://fellrnr.com//Utilities/CalibrateFootPod/ParseTCX_1.0.exe and http://fellrnr.com//Utilities/CalibrateFootPod/ParseTCX_1.0.zip
[[Category:Software]]