FIT-File support vs Ant+ FE

[MahargGraham]

Hi. At the moment I connect my Garmin watch to ORM via Ant+ FE. I see now that you can directly import a FIT file. Does that include all the metrics you would get from Ant+ FE and, if so, do I even need to use my Garmin watch whilst rowing?

[JaapvanEkris]

Hi. At the moment I connect my Garmin watch to ORM via Ant+ FE. I see now that you can directly import a FIT file. Does that include all the metrics you would get from Ant+ FE and, if so, do I even need to use my Garmin watch whilst rowing?

Good question! It depends a bit on your setup. Our FIT-file contains all data that a fit-file can record for rowing and ORM knows. And that is the same info we send via ANT+ and gets recorded by your Garmin Watch. But, some Garmin watches know more: in my case my HRM strap sends breathing rate data to the watch, but not to ORM. And that data is included in your watches' recording. To me, breathing rate (related to my stroke rate) is quite an essential metric as leaving Zone 2 typically is first seen by me breathing twice per stroke.

An experiment you might do is leave your watch next to you and let it be fed by your HRM strap and ORM. I don't think it will record differently (something I have to try myself as well).

[Abasz]

Just to chip in here as I use heavily my Garmin fr255.

There is a plethora of data that Garmin calculates from the HR and pace and watt data that is recorded solely by the watch. It feeds the body battery, the stress score the, training status vo2max etc.

So while you are correct in the sense that purly workout metrics perspective fit import is fine but Garmin adds a new layer (not to mention that upload to Garmin connect is automatic).

Breathing: actually Garmin calculates the respiration rate from the heart rate variability. Thus, technically orm could calculate this too, as the strap sends this data to orm I just don't know the algorithm they use.

[MahargGraham]

Thanks. I’ll try it out with my watch next to me and see what happens.

Abasz, I’m not too worried about anything other than the workout metrics. I never look at body battery, stress score etc. I did at first but didn’t find it very useful.

[Abasz]

This is the point:) It's up to you. I was just saying what is the addition compared to what a bare fit file provides :)