F3b Applications

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Support F3b get 2 years free F3b apps with Garmin CIQ Wearable or Edge purchase at Garmin.com

 

Giving or received a Garmin watch, Edge Cycle Computer or Garmin Hand Held, add my award winning Garmin Connect IQ apps! My applications make a great add-on for any Garmin CIQ watch or Cycle Edge Computer. Email Gift Cards are available, too.

Go to my CIQ Application Store (https://www.fbbbrown.com/garmin-connect-iq/ ) to activate your f3b application. There are 2 purchase options to choose from, that allows you full pick and choose what application you want.

Gift Cards make great gifts!

Thanks,

Brian Brown

F3b Owner

Non-GPS Distance is Zero

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I have been getting a lot of questions pertaining to the zero distance in the main bubble and activity sticker in Connect Mobile App saved activity.

The Distance is zero (or incorrect) on the Connect Activity Sticker and on the Activity main bubble, due to Garmin Policy does not allow CIQ applications to write NON-GPS values. However, these policies only applies to CIQ applications not the native Garmin apps.

I cannot change the decisions of the Garmin Executives, however if there is enough complaints they may change there policy.

I encourage you to politely complain to “Garmin” (in the Garmin threads below) to follow and use the IQ SDK Fit Contributor class ‘nativeNum’, which overrides the data in the FIT file as the Garmin Built-in apps do.

I want this functionality as a Garmin User as much as you do.

Add the “@AlphaMonkeyC” to the post.

https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/f/discussion/4854/fitcontributor-nativenum-functionality/916794#916794

Garmin blocks the distance in the following applications: Elliptical, Dance, StairStepper, SwimSports, work, any step based distance or non-GPS distance.

Here is a 30 minute elliptical workout distance is zero in the main field, but the distance is shown in the IQ section.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4314844288

Until the policy changes, I provide the distance in the IQ Section.

Thanks,

-Brian B.

#HappyYouYear

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Tips for better optical heart accuracy

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Yes, the Garmin’s first, second and third generation optical heart sensor hardware produces results with lower values than the Chest HRM.

Why is Optical Heart Rate generally lower:

1.) Wrist movement

2.) loose watch fit

3.) poor sensor contact

4.) hair, sweat or dirt will affect the values too

5.) Garmin Software filtering

Why are the high heart rate (Peaks) and low heart rate (valleys) missing:

Garmin Software imposes additional filters (Fast Fourier Transforms, FFT) in Activity types Strength Training, Tennis, Soccer and flexibility, due to high wrist movement in these activities. These FFT filters (advanced math) reduce the recorded peaks and valleys of a heart rate and calories calculations. Calories are based on heart rate, age, weight, gender and time.

There are a few solutions to improve the optical heart rate values:

1.) Wear the watch tighter. Poor sensor contact will result in lower HR values.

2.) Reduce wrist hair under sensor.

3.) Reduce wrist movement when possible, high movement reduces sensor contact.

4.) Chest HRM Gives best results.

Garmin Video explaining the difference between Optical and Chest Heart Rate monitors.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LgQFD6GqlBs

SwimSports + Update

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SwimSports + v4.7 (Nov 20, 2025)

• Includes all 8.3.0 SDK updates

• Corrects possible IQ! when using Open Swim

• Adds Graph to Connect of watch temperature

• Improvements to start menu

• SaO2 enable/disable to start menu (if sensor is supported)

• Stability Corrections

• Adds all new models

• Using Connect IQ SDK-8.3.0-2025-09-22-5813687a0

StairStepper+ Update

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StairStepper+ v7.0 (Oct 25, 2025)

Download StairStepper+ (https://apps.garmin.com/apps/2b90113b-b86a-418d-ad1f-57afe376871c)

• Adds Cadence or Step sensor select option CIQ 2.0+

• Adds Step Rucking support CIQ 2.0+

-Adds 2 Calorie datafields and save to Connect IQ data

– Calorie formulas supporting Step Rucking

— Instantaneous Calorie Sum (hr) Weight adjusted

— Adjusted Calories average Heart Rate (avghr) Weight adjusted

• Enhanced Start Screen App Menu

• Stability Update

• Added new models

• Includes all updates with Connect IQ SDK 8.30

• Using Connect IQ SDK 8.3.0-2025-09-22-5813687a0

Thanks,

-Brian B.

Skiing+ update

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Skiing+ v2.1 (September 23, 2025)

• Run Detection algorithm update

Skiing+ v2.0 (September 22, 2025)

• Screen Updates

• Stability Updates

• Saves Downhill Ski distance to Connect as IQ data

• Saves Lift distance to Connect as IQ data

• Reduced FIT File size (saves faster)

• Adds all new models

• Includes all updates with Connect IQ SDK 8.2.3

Skiing+ update

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Skiing+ v2.0 (September 22, 2025)

• Screen Updates

• Stability Updates

• Saves Downhill Ski distrance to Connect as IQ data

• Saves Lift distance to Connect as IQ data

• Reduced FIT FIle size (saves faster)

• Adds all new models

• Includes all updates with Connect IQ SDK 8.2.3

Thanks,

-Brian B.