New Connect IQ Apps

[brandon]

Hi, I just released a new, completely free app called IridiumFind. It builds on the functionality of IridiumWhere, but adds some specific features tailored for ham radio enthusiasts. If you have a moment to give it a try, I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you find it useful, leaving a 5-star review would mean the world to me and really helps others discover it!

If you do run into bugs, please report them on the IridiumFind App page or reply to me here.

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Also check out my other free app for the 67i, FlightTrackIQ, it tracks flights using ADS-B (requires Garmin Connect for internet).

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Right now my apps only support the GPSMAP 67 and 67i, with experimental support for the H1/H1i & eTrex Touch.

[GPSrChive]

I installed and tested both apps today on my GPSMAP 67.

IridiumFind:

• May want to reconsider the colors on the full screen map, the 'Visible' are not very visible, and the 'Not Visible' are very easy to see! Maybe just have them all as hollow rings like they are now, but FILL the ones that are in range? Or just change the color from blue to green, keeping same style otherwise? Or not visible = Grey, visible = Blue?
• Was wanting to save some screen captures to share, but that function is locked out - not sure if this is controlled by the device or the app?

FlightTrackIQ:

• I had way more fun with this one than I thought I would.
• Overall layout and functionality are well thought out.
• I wonder if there can be any more info to show when viewing individual flights, like aircraft type, etc?
• We frequently have friends and family visit via small airline, and I track their flights on my phone, would love to be able to enter a specific flight code and track just that flight - perhaps a whole new app would best for this?
• Was wanting to save some screen captures to share, but that function is locked out - not sure if this is controlled by the device or the app?

I like them both, and will have some ideas for a future app for another 'yet to be named' device.

Also, please consider adding support for other devices, for example - the Montana 7x0, with its incredibly gorgeous screen!

Thank you for building these apps!

[riogrande]

Thanks for releasing this! At the moment my 67i has been outside for over an hour and it's still "searching for satellites". Everything else on the device is working. I'll leave out for a while longer and see what happens.

[brandon]

Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it! I will be reviewing these suggestions and will see what I can implement in the next revision of each app. I think Garmin locks out the screenshot function for Connect IQ apps so the only way for me to get screenshots is via the simulator.

The GPSMAP H1 and eTrex Touch use API v5.0 while the 67i uses v3.2. Unfortunately the 66 series, Montana 7xx, and Oregon 7xx all use an even older v3.0 API. I ran into issues with device behavior differing on these from the simulator so I’ve pulled support for those devices for now but will look into re-adding them in the future. (I wish Garmin would provide a loaner device for devs)

Thanks again, by the way- I have another app on the way soon!

[GPSrChive]

I have access to all of those devices, so if you should need some real world on device testing, let me know!

[brandon]

That would be great! I'll release a revised version this weekend that includes those devices and try to do as much testing as I can in the simulator. In IridiumFind, I've revised the grid color from white to grey, and the "VISIBLE" sats to white, which has greatly improved the contrast. I'm also addressing some text alignment issues. In FlightTrackIQ, I'm looking at adding the ability to track both flights and individual tail numbers.

I really appreciate the help. I'm doing this mainly for fun and not to make money off these apps, so your feedback and testing are incredibly valuable in making them as useful and polished as possible for the community.

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update

gpsmaph1.png

[riogrande]

Brandon, there is another thread about device CIQ/API. My 67i is at 3.2.8, and your IridiumFind initial version stalls at finding the satellites.
I'll look for your next update and try that.

I am also happy to help test IridiumFind for you, assuming I can get it to run.