Integration with Gmap-Pedometer

! THIS POST IS NOW OUT OF DATE - for integration with GoogleMaps see www.runsaturday.com including the super new mapper - DO IT!

OK... So it may seem a bit odd... You may ask why would I want to integrate my GPS with a pedometer... but actually this is about me finding a way to quickly share my GPS routes with other peeps.

With the latest version of the code, whenever I browse to the excellent GMAP Pedometer site then the toolbar asks me if I want to insert a GPS run onto the google map - then once I've done that I can use the "normal" pedometer facilities in order to save the route and share it with others :-)

Overall it seems to work quite well at present. There are a few problems I've seen:

• It can be a bit slow - I wish there was a quicker way of getting hold of the track information from the Garmin but currently the only way is to get hold of all the track information (which can take quite a lot of time!).
• You can only upload the last 32 "runs" - that's all that the Garmin seems to store.
  
• Google maps does cause Internet Exploder to explode occasionally (which is particularly bad in this current heat)
• I'm currently not uploading all the details to the map - there are just too many data points - instead I upload about one point every half minute of exercise - I might work on this later!

An example uploaded route is my half marathon jaunt in Cheshire last weekend - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=308635

Also in the latest installer (available on http://lodge.stuart.googlepages.com/HollywoodInstall.msi) is:
- small fix to missing value (fastest speed) in summary info for Fetch
- some small speed improvements for collecting information from the 301.
- the addition of a few extra UI feedback features (including the requested double-clicking within the select run dialog).

Please note that all testing is currently being done only on the Forerunner 301 v 3.20 talking over USB to a PC running Windows XP SP2.

I have looked at some prototype code for the 201 connected via RS232, but haven't yet tested it (due to lack of hardware and time).

Installer on the web

I've finally found a place on the web for the installer.

Using Googlepages I've uploaded the latest installer to http://lodge.stuart.googlepages.com/HollywoodInstall.msi

The latest installer includes:

• A fix to a rounding problem with the average heart rate
• Detection of miles versus kilometers in your Fetch settings
• Some minor fixes to the colours used in the Fetch "Add Training Run" fields
  
• A hopeful fix to some of the installation issues - but I'm afraid users may still have to tweak the install a little - they may still have to manually twice choose "View|Toolbars|Hollybar" when they first install it - still not sure what this is :-( - but since other toolbars don't need to do it then I know I will hunt this one down one day soon!
  

I've not yet worked out all the details for getting this to work with the Forerunner or Foretrex 201 over RS232 - but I will look at this when I get some more time and someone who's got a 201 and a COM Port spare!

Other fixes on the way include a few more options - especially for the "Notes" field which has gotten rather large especially if you cycle and leave the autolap feature on!

The code is out there...

There are a "few" beta testers out there now.

And so far there's only been one bug found - and that was in the installer/COM registration code.

However, I'm sure there will be more bugs along any minute :-)

Also, there's lots of code that could be changed and adapted. One thing I've already noticed is that the blurb generated for the "notes" can get far too long - so it would be nice to make this blurb optional or configurable - maybe to get the hollybar to merge multiple laps together.

Oh yeah.... and (as I'm sure the beta testers have already noticed) I've added some colour marking code to the training log.

I've also had a few 201 enquiries... will have to think about how to work on these...

Fixed a few bugs...

Just had a little play again...

There were a few problems with the Heart Rate readings - especially when the Garmin observed average heart rate exceeded the min or max heart rate settings in Fetch.

And there were a few issues with the installer (I love Windows!)

But overall it seems to be working OK as a Beta.

Although there are lots of things I'd like to change.

But I should really be working!

In action

THIS POST IS OUT OF DATE - DON'T USE HOLLYBAR TO INTEGRATE YOUR FORERUNNER TO THE WEB - USE RUNSATURDAY INSTEAD - www.runsaturday.com - DO IT!

The toolbar

... in action in IE 6 ...


It works here... I hope this works on other PCs too!

Beta version available

After a little while of playing....

I've got something vaguely working with my Garmin Forerunner 301.

There's still plenty more to do (and I do mean plenty), but I'm ready to share it with a few select peeps.

To be elligible for the beta you need:

• To have a Garmin Forerunner (and 301 is the only model that I know works at the moment!)
• To have Windows XP and Internet Explorer
• To have faith in my software
• To have signed up to the registration list here
• To email "Hollywood" via Fetch or Runnersworld.co.uk for more information....

I'll then send you what you need...

What?

This blog contains the development ramblings of a mad runner.

My mission: an attempt to get my Garmin 301 to communicate with my running log on www.FetchEveryone.com

I've spent some time on it and...