While we all wait impatiently for Strava and Samsung to fix the upload compatibility issue between Samsung Health and Strava, we all have some sort of partial workaround that at least allows us to get some elemnet of accurate data onto Strava.
I think for most of us then distance and time are the most important, probably followed by pace and heart rate and then maybe cadence
Certainly when I bought the Active2, it was its integrated heart rate monitor that was a key feature as I hated wearing a chest strap.
Couple of questions - Has the latest edition of the Strava watch app sorted the data upload issue re accuracy of distance, time and pace ?
Problem with this of course is that there is no heart rate monitoring annd the functionality of the Stara App is appaling. Can't read the screen on the go as it is too small, no screen customisation and I still haven't figured out how to stop it measuring before you are sure it has acquired a good GPS signal
I see from post on here that some people are separately uploading GPX files. Surprised this works to be frank but what a faff and a bridge too far for me. Never mid the fact that the basic GPX file only includes location and time data.
Samsung have recently issued a Samsung Health App update but has this sorted anything ? From the message from the Sumsung support person that was posted on this thread, it was clear that they had completely misunderstood the issue we are all facing. Very dissapointing. Does anyone know if this has resolved any of the issues ?
I've been out for run the last couple of days but not dared to use the Samsung Health App that we all want to work. I'm simply fed up having inaccurate data on Strava so have stuck with my own work around until someone else confirms it works ??? Any joy ?
My own workaround is the GearTracker App which I think is the best workaroud in that it does give prety accurate distance, time and heart rate data when uploaded to Strava when using 'GT Timing' setting, and it does it all automatically without any manual input.
The GearTracker app is infinitely configurable and the designer has really gone to town on what you can see on the watch with easy switch between fully configurable screens on the go. Post excercise analysis is also prety good on the watch but obviously can't compete with a full size computer screen or phone screen.
One limitation is that the GearTracker app doesn't have a phone or PC application for easier viewing and analysis. This would be a really worthwhile addition for GearTracker but with reasonable uplaod to Strava it isn't too much of a problem. It is really easy to fip between differnt workmout types and the screens are so easy to read. Much better then Strava or Samsung Heath. It is also very easy to confirm you have a GPS signal on the watch and picking up heart rate before you press start and set off. The autopause also works correctly. Despite confirming that you have a heart rate signal beore starting it prety much always doesn't read heart rate properly for the first 1-2 miles before it settles down and then seems to read OK bar the occaisonal spike. However I found exactly the same issue when using Samsung Health so may be something fundamnetal to the heart rate monitoring on the watch.
Average pace on the Gear Tracker App seems to be OK but when lookign at it in more detail it is fluctuation up and down much more then in reality. So still not perfect. It does throw out the mile interval pace out a little but not so much. The spike in pace recording are shorter term then that, so the mile pace is still reasonably accurate.
So all in all I'm prety happy with the GearTracker App, the problem is that it doesn't seem to pick up my 4iiii cycle power meter. But then again neither does Samsung Health. To yet again I have another expensive peice of hardward in the form of my power meter crank that I can't seem to integrate with my other data and get onto Strava.
I really wish I'd bought a Garmin watch and separate cycle computer. Their hardware and software seem to integrate all these devices seamlessly.
The only thing I do hear is some issue with the Gramin's crashing part way through an exercise which is clearly frustrating, but this does seem to be the exception rather then the rule. I think this is maybe down to it trying to integrate so many other accessories and devices and the software integration this requires. I'd rather have all the data that is accurate most of the time rather then some of the data that is inaccurate all of the time, so the Garmin wins out until Samsung and Strava get their act together
If GearTracker would just :-
1) integrate the 4iiii power meter
2) work on the issues with pace (and heart rate) data accuracy to eliminate the short term spikes (I think the heart rate issue is maybe fundamnetal to the watch as the Samsung Heath App does the same, but the pace data on Sumsung Health doesn't appear to show the same short term spikes that it does on GearTracker. The fact that the mile interval pace is broadly accurate on GearTracker means I can live with it)
Then it would be perfect. Perfect and automatic upload to Strava for distance, time and heart rate, excellent customisation functionality (best I've ever seen on any app of any kind) and easy to read screens that are easy to control on the move.
I've been meaning to write to GearTracker about these 2 issues above. If those were sorted, I could forget about Samsung Health altogether.
