How To...

Activity

  1. What is an activity?
  2. Creating an activity
  3. Deleting an activity
  4. Navigating an activity
  5. Transferring an activity to/from a Garmin GPSr
  6. Convert one or more activities into a single IMG map
  7. Common activity settings
  8. Track vs Trip Computer

 

 


1. What is an activity?

  1. Activity Overview

    • An ordered sequence of coordinates that can include additional information such as time, elevation, temperature, heart rate, speed, cadence, etc.
    • Garmin devices save activities in an encrypted *.fit (Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer) file format.

  2. Garmin Definition
    • An activity is a set of coordinates connected together (breadcrumb trail) and their associated data (elevation, time, distance, heart rate, etc.).
    • Activities are saved in *.fit file format which can be used for reviewing fitness related data in Garmin Connect or other platforms that read *.fit files.

  3. Application

    • Activities are used for recording and saving a path that you have taken during an activity such as backpacking, hiking, running, etc.
    • Saved activities are a fixed sequence of points that can be used for reviewing where you went, reviewing activity data, or for future navigation.
    • Activities can be used to navigate a fixed path.
      • When leaving the path, most navigators will alert that you are off course, but the path will not be altered or recalculated.
    • Activities can be useful for helping you find your way back to your starting location.

  4. Activity Types

    1. Current Activity

      • Activity points are accumulated only when the GPSr is powered on and a track recording is active
      • Contains all recorded activity segments since last time the track was cleared
      • Contains activity points for your current activity
      • Can be cleared at the start of a new activity
      • Will auto-archive older activity points when the current activity memory is full
      • Most GPSr allow the user to select [Save Activity] and/or [Save Portion] for the current activity
      • Can be saved for future access (see below)

    2. Saved Activity

      • Can be configured to [Show On Map]
      • Many GPSr allow the user to select [Copy Reversed] and/or [Save as Track]
      • Saved activities may be transferred between the GPSr and BaseCamp
      • Saved activities can not be shared wirelessly between compatible Garmin GPSr
      • The maximum number of data points for a saved activity will vary for each GPSr model
      • Saved only in [GPSr]\Garmin\Activities\ directory

  5. Garmin GPSr Activity Limits

    • The GPSr can index activities up to a specified number of data points in length that is unique to each model.
    • Activities exceeding the maximum number of data points may be filtered to maximize rendering efficiency without modifying the original file.
    • Most GPSr can auto-archive the current activity and begin a new recording when approaching the maximum activity point limit.

  6. Garmin GPSr Activity Management

    • Activities are always saved in the [GPSr]\Garmin\Activities\ directory.
    • Externally created activity (*.fit) files may be copied to the [GPSr]\Garmin\Activities\ directory.

 

 


2. Creating an activity

  1. To enable activity recording on a Garmin GPSr without a 'Current Track', 'Current Activity', or 'Recording Controls' page:

  2. To enable activity recording on a Garmin GPSr with a 'Current Track', 'Current Activity', or 'Recording Controls' page:

  3. To record an activity using GPS elevation values on a Garmin GPSr equipped with a Barometric Pressure Sensor:

    • Open [Setup > Altimeter] and configure:
      • Auto Calibration = Off (prevents altimeter from being recalibrated during track log recording)
      • Barometer Mode = Fixed Elevation (disables barometric pressure derived elevation value recording)
      • Calibrate Altimeter = GPS Altitude (establishes current GPS elevation value baseline)
    • Tip: Clear the current activity before starting a new recording!

 

 


3. Deleting an activity

  1. Open the 'Activity History' or 'Recorded Activities' page on the GPSr.
  2. Select the desired Activity.
  3. Open the Option Menu.
  4. Select 'Delete'.

 

 


4. Navigating an activity

  1. See Navigation - Navigating an activity

 

 


5. Transferring an activity to/from a Garmin GPSr

  1. Transfer activities manually

    1. To see a list of common activity file names, see Data Management - Common Files
    2. Connect your GPSr via USB and copy the desired *.fit files to/from the device.
      1. Saved activities are located in the [GPSr]\Garmin\Activities\ directory.
      2. Courses are located in the [GPSr]\Garmin\Courses\ directory.

  2. Transfer activities using BaseCamp

    1. Connect your GPSr via USB and open BasCamp application.
      1. Import track from GPSr using BaseCamp
      2. Export track to GPSr using BaseCamp

  3. Transfer activities using the 'Share Wirelessly' feature

    1. Not supported

 

 


6. Convert one or more activities into a single IMG map

  1. Open desired activities (*.fit) and 'Save as Track' (*.gpx)
  2. See Create a single IMG map from one or more GPX files

 

 


7. Common activity settings

  1. Available settings will vary for each device:

    1. Record Method

      • Distance (may be preferred for slower moving activities to prevent a cluttered track recording)
      • Time (may be preferred for faster moving activities to prevent a loss of track detail)
      • Auto (adds new track points based on elapsed time and changes in speed or direction)
      • Smart (adds new track points based on elapsed time and changes in speed or direction)
      • Every Second (adds a new track point once every second regardless of changes in speed or direction)

    2. Interval

      • Will require trial and error testing to determine which interval works best for the selected Record Method and Activity.

    3. Auto Pause

      • Pauses tracking automatically when you stop moving.
      • Tip: When available, choose an activation speed threshold carefully:
        • Selecting a speed that is too low may result in a recording that is never paused.
        • Selecting a speed that is too high may result in a recording that never restarts.

    4. Auto Start

      • Starts recording a track automatically once the device has acquired satellite signals.
      • Tip: Enabling this option when Activity Mode is enabled will prevent the Status Menu from persistently appearing on screen.

    5. Activity Type

      • Has no affect on device recording - Used only by Garmin Connect to assign activity category to recorded track.

    6. Output Format

      • Activities (FIT) - records activity with fitness information tailored for Garmin Connect.
      • Tracks (FIT + GPX) - records both an activity and a traditional tracklog file.
      • Tip: GPSr with options for both FIT and GPX files default to FIT only - Be sure to select both if GPX recording is desired!

    7. Auto Archive

      • When Full (device saves current track recording and starts a new recording when maximum track point limit is approached)
      • Daily (device saves current track recording when powered on and a new calendar day is detected)
      • Weekly (device saves current track recording when powered on and a new calendar week is detected)

    8. Auto Save

      • When Full (device saves current track recording and starts a new recording when maximum track point limit is approached)
      • Daily (device saves current track recording when powered on and a new calendar day is detected)
      • Weekly (device saves current track recording when powered on and a new calendar week is detected)
      • Auto (auto saves current recording based on factors such as length of recording and number of track points, etc.)
      • Never (filters current recording when near maximum track point limit, saving redundant data to temporary FIT/GPX file)

    9. Trip Recording

      • 'During Activity or 'When Tracking' (Trip Computer accumulates new data only when track recording is active)
      • Always (Trip Computer always accumulates new data regardless of track recording status)
      • Tip: Do not select 'Always' if you want your Trip Computer Odometer and Track distances to agree with each other!

    10. Recorded Data Reset

      • Track and Trip (device automatically clears both track and trip data after saving the current track recording)
      • Prompted (device prompts user to select which (if any) data is cleared after saving the current track recording)

 

 


8. Track vs Trip Computer

  1. Why do the Track Distance and Trip Computer Odometer not agree?