As a premise, I might be wrong, but I’ve always thought that “boys love graphs” lol. As one of those “boys”, I’d like to talk about how I connect the gadgets I use…
While I have reasons for purchasing each individual item, lately I’ve been buying things with data integration in mind. If you don’t consider data integration when purchasing, you might not be able to transfer data when buying a new item again, or you might need to reinstall unnecessary apps. I hope the data relation I’ve built can be of use to someone.
Introduction to Each Device and Service
I’ll briefly touch on the explanation of each device, as some have appeared in past articles. For those with past articles, I’ll include links in the device explanations.
CATEYE STRADA SMART
This is a cycle computer. It’s an item that can be purchased at a reasonable price. It can collect data by connecting with ISC-12 (speed/cadence sensor) and HR-12 (heart rate sensor). Data can be accumulated in CATEYE Atlas, allowing you to check past trips. It can also link with a STRAVA account, enabling direct data transmission to STRAVA.
[Link to past article]
Insta360 X3
This is an action camera capable of 360-degree shooting. It can be linked with Garmin Connect, allowing you to overlay data obtained from Garmin onto recorded videos. By pressing the edit button for each video and selecting the dashboard, you can overlay information such as speed and incline on the video.
[Link to past article]
AfterShokz (Shokz) Air
These are bone conduction headphones. As they are wireless headphones, you can listen to audio output from any Bluetooth-connectable device via bone conduction. They’re very convenient as they don’t block your ears, allowing use in environments where you need to be aware of external sounds.
[Link to past article]
Garmin Vivoactive 5
This is a smartwatch primarily focused on activity tracking. It keeps a life log and has an active tracker that supports over 30 types of sports. It also supports electronic money, allowing payments via the watch if charged. It can be registered with various music streaming services, enabling music playback on the device by downloading created playlists.
[Link to past article]
OMRON HBF-230T
This is a body composition monitor. It can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and accumulate data in OMRON Connect. It can measure 8 items including weight, body fat percentage, and body age.
Various Services
In addition to each device having its own app, there are hub apps and data aggregation apps. Here’s a brief explanation.
Device services: CATEYE: CATEYE Atlas / Garmin: Garmin Connect, Connect IQ (IQ Store) / OMRON: OMRON Connect / Insta360: Insta360 (Studio)
Services used other than device-specific apps: STRAVA / Health Sync / Amazon Music / Google Fit / Lose It!
While services associated with devices are necessary for device management, for non-device-specific services (apps), I use Health Sync as a hub for data exchange, sending activity and sleep information from Garmin Connect to Google Fit. As device-independent data, I use Lose It! to record calorie intake (meals), allowing comparison of calorie input and weight.
This is where device selection becomes relevant. TANITA’s body composition monitor had terrible compatibility with Garmin. Some people seem to use an app called MyFitnessPal to transfer data to Garmin Connect, but this requires using Apple products as a prerequisite. Since I use Android, I gave up on using TANITA’s body composition monitor. Also, Garmin’s scale was too expensive…
Overall Picture of Data Integration
I’ve explained the devices and services above, but I’ve created a diagram showing the overall picture of data exchange between devices. The solid red lines indicate the current active direction of data exchange, while the dashed red lines show past data transfer directions. There’s a new device not mentioned in the article, the HBF-230T, but I’ll touch on that another time.
Music Integration
Transferring Data from Amazon Music to Vivoactive
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 can connect with various music streaming services. Here’s how to connect with Amazon Music:
- Open the Garmin Connect app and go to device settings.
- Select the “Music” section and tap “Music Providers”.
- Choose Amazon Music and follow the account linking instructions.
- After linking, you can download playlists or albums to your Vivoactive.
Note: Wi-Fi connection is required. Also, be mindful of your Vivoactive’s storage capacity.
Playing Music from Vivoactive on AfterShokz
- Put AfterShokz in pairing mode.
- From Vivoactive’s Bluetooth menu, select AfterShokz and pair.
- In music controls, select AfterShokz as the output destination.
Now you can listen to music directly from Vivoactive on AfterShokz. Being bone conduction headphones that don’t block your ears, you can safely enjoy your workout while still hearing surrounding sounds.
Cycling Data Integration
Data Transfer from ISC-12 to Vivoactive
You can use CATEYE’s speed and cadence sensor as is.
- From Vivoactive’s Bluetooth menu, select CATEYE’s sensor and pair.
- Select “Cycling” activity on Vivoactive.
- Customize the screen to display speed, distance, heart rate, etc.
*Note: You can mount it on your bicycle to use as a cycling computer, but doing so prevents heart rate data collection, so I keep it on my wrist.
Utilizing the STRADA Unit While Riding
You could remove STRADA, but I keep it to see riding speed. It also serves as a backup, so I run it independently.
- Keep STRADA running as a backup.
- Prepare for troubles like battery depletion.
- Use for cross-verification of data.
Workout Data Integration
Data Management Centered on Garmin Connect
- Aggregate all workout data in Garmin Connect.
- Enable detailed analysis by activity type.
- Utilize for checking long-term trends and setting goals.
Setting Up Data Transfer to STRAVA and Google Fit
STRAVA Connection:
- Select STRAVA from “Partner Apps” in the Garmin Connect app.
- Follow the account linking procedure.
Google Fit Connection:
- Install the Health Sync app.
- Set Garmin Connect as the sync source.
- Customize sync frequency and items.
How to Utilize Data in Each App
- Garmin Connect: Detailed analysis, training plan development
- STRAVA: Social features, segment challenges
- Google Fit: Integration with other health apps, overall health status understanding
Weight Data Integration
Data Transfer from OMRON Scale to OMRON Connect
- Install the OMRON Connect app on your smartphone.
- Follow the app’s instructions to pair with HBF-230T.
- After measurement, data is automatically transferred to OMRON Connect.
Integration from OMRON Connect to Other Apps
Weight data can be sent directly to Google Fit.
- From OMRON Connect settings menu, select “Linked Apps & Services”.
- Set Google Fit as the sync destination.
Calorie Management and App Integration
How to Use Lose It!
- Record daily meals with photos.
- Automatically calculate calorie intake.
- Check and improve nutritional balance.
Workout Data Integration
Integration with Google Fit and Garmin Connect is possible.
Google Fit Integration:
- Select Google Fit from the automatic tracking item in the profile screen.
- Turn ON “Read/Write Foods and Nutrients”.
- Turn ON “Read/Write Weight”.
- Turn OFF “Write Exercises to Google Fit”.
Garmin Connect Integration:
- Select Garmin from the automatic tracking item in the profile screen.
- Select tracking items and complete (except Weight and Body Fat).
*Note: There’s no need to turn on weight and body fat percentage as they’re not imported into Garmin.
Aggregated Data
The final data aggregation points are Google Fit and Lose It!, which have similar data. This is because Google Fit and Lose It! can exchange data with each other. Regarding the connection between Google Fit and Garmin, although it’s possible to bring activities via STRAVA from Garmin Connect, there will be many missing data such as sleep data and step count. It’s better to send data from Garmin via Health Sync.
As long as Lose It! can read weight from Google Fit, it can directly read sleep and activity data from Garmin. Conversely, Google Fit must obtain calorie intake information from Lose It!. Due to this relationship, Google Fit and Lose It! become the final destination for data aggregation.
Pros and Cons
Pros
By linking devices and services, you can see calorie intake and required exercise amount. You can also receive advice leveraging the strengths of each app, enabling comprehensive health management. Above all, visualizing data in graphs makes various information visible, helping maintain high motivation. Once again, “boys love graphs” lol. You can grasp your health condition by looking at the dashboard, and more importantly, it becomes easier to set indicators when you want to improve something.
- Comprehensive health management possible
- Motivation boost through data visualization
- Analysis leveraging the strengths of each app
- Backup function between devices
Cons
- Complex initial setup
- Need to manage multiple devices and apps
- Costs involved (some subscription services as well)
- Privacy concerns
Troubleshooting
Not only device linking settings but also data exchange may not go smoothly sometimes. Be aware that since service providers are different, synchronization may not occur due to server maintenance, etc.
Common problems and solutions:
- Sync errors → Restart apps, reconnect devices
- Battery drain → Adjust sync frequency, turn off unnecessary functions
- Data inconsistency → Manual sync, check for app updates
How to handle failed data synchronization:
- Check Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connection
- Restart apps and devices
- Check for app updates
- Check device firmware updates
- Reinstall apps
Privacy and Data Security
As you’ll be managing multiple apps, it might be better to set privacy settings from the start. Make sure to set the correct sharing range.
Privacy settings in each app:
- Garmin Connect: Set data sharing range, manage connected apps
- STRAVA: Set activity visibility, restrict location information
- Google Fit: Manage data access permissions
- OMRON Connect: Check data sharing options
Points to note when sharing data:
- Be careful with location information disclosure (possibility of identifying home or workplace)
- Be cautious of unintended data sharing when linking with SNS
- Regularly change passwords and review access permissions
Conclusion
Advantages of the entire system:
- Enables multifaceted health management
- Centralized data management and detailed analysis
- Improved data reliability through device complementarity
- Support for maintaining motivation and achieving goals
Well, the desire to “integrate data” is kind of my hobby, so there might not be many people who are as passionate about it… But if there’s anyone who thinks “I want to aggregate and manage data” or “Connecting devices seems fun”, please feel free to use this as a reference.
