This object is in archive! 

Bluetooth thermo sensor support

Jordan Nikolov shared this idea 7 years ago
Completed

Hi,

The possibility to be able to connect an external thermo sensor is great. Currently only an ant+ thermo sensors seems to be supported. However there are already several Bluetooth sensors. Do you plan to integrate a Bluetooth thermo sensors support as well?

Regards

Jordan

Thermometer sensor, which one you miss?

Replies (12)

photo
1

Hi Jordan,


I've changed this ticket to a generally accessible idea for which other users can vote. If it gets enough votes we'll think about it :)

photo
1

Here is a link to the sensor i have. I have also a Garmin Tempe but i face some problems with ANT+ support on my handy so hope will switch to the bluetooth one soon


http://www.weatherhawk.com/myblue-t

photo
1

I have added my "Yes" vote for Jordan Nikolov's feature request (which I think is a functional duplicate of a similar, earlier request made by Daesoo Kim; see http://help.locusmap.eu/topic/bluetooth-thermometer-support).


In an effort to inspire additional Yes votes from Locus users, I would also like to try to articulate fully the rationale for why Locus should be developed to accept input from Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) external temperature sensors.


Like the equivalent ANT+ temperature sensors, BLE temperature sensors can be positioned on equipment (clipped to a pack, a pannier, etc.) well away from body heat, and sometimes also out of direct sunlight, in order to get accurate measurements of ambient temperature.


To a lot of people, the usefulness of external temperature sensors is obvious, and does not need further explanation. Popularity of mainstream ANT+ temperature sensors like the Garmin Tempe suggests there is substantial market demand for integrating this data in the user interfaces of satnav receivers. The proposal here is simply to extend the ANT+ temperature sensor capability already present in Locus to BLE temperature sensors, too. If you agree with this proposal already, then you can stop reading here, and please vote "Yes" for Jordan's feature request!


Or, are you a skeptic? There is indeed a view that says, "why do you need a sensor to know it is cold outside?". Good humor! But seriously, in-app BLE external temperature data would be very useful to a lot of Locus users.


Anyone running Locus on a device having an ANT+ radio is already well-served by Locus' existing support for sensors like the Garmin Tempe. However, a lot of rugged Android handheld devices with hot-swap battery capability, which otherwise function so well as satnav receivers and miniature travel computers (for email, internet access, telephony, etc.) are oriented mainly to the industrial market -- and, as such, they lack ANT+ capability. Traditionally, ANT+ has been a sport-market feature. Rugged, hot-swap Android devices include Panasonic Toughpad, Winmate, and Juniper products. While these devices (and also many simple, non-rugged smartphones) lack ANT+, they do have BLE. And so the Locus user experience on all BLE-enabled devices (rugged or not) that lack ANT+ radios would benefit from Locus supporting BLE temperature sensors.


Just like with ANT+ temperature sensors, users of BLE temperature sensor data in Locus would include touring bicyclists, hikers, climbers, and motorcyclists, among many others.


Use case 1 — "Encamped": A temperature sensor left outside the tent (i.e., physically distant from error-causing body heat) is a big help in knowing how to dress upon waking, especially in cold conditions. Also, in extreme cold, it is helpful in deciding if the weather is deteriorating so much that it is better to pack up camp and make a run for better shelter or lower elevation.


Use case 2 — "On the move": In rain, snow, or simple cold, during hard exertion it is easy to misperceive the true air temperature. Obviously, the environment can seem warmer when a person is putting out a lot of metabolic heat. By having objective, accurate air temperature information, it is easier to make good choices about how to adjust clothing layers, whether and when to seek shelter, etc. This can lead to better athletic performance, better progress towards an objective, better comfort, and better safety. If it is 70 degrees Fahrenheit and pouring rain, I might nevertheless decide to continue in shirtsleeves if I am hiking or bicycling vigorously uphill. But if the temperature drops substantially, without thermometer data I might not notice this immediately due to my exertion, and risk hypothermia. Or in the heat, sometimes it is hard to differentiate between safe conditions of, say, 80-90F, and riskier conditions as the air exceeds 100F. Armed with accurate data, I might decide to retreat to shade for a few hours, and continue my journey later in the day. Accurate temperature information facilitates good judgment.


For these kinds of situations (and numerous others) it would be great if Locus could build upon the support it already provides for ANT+ temperature sensors, by adding support for BLE sensors, too.


If there are technical reasons why supporting all BLE temperature sensors would be difficult in Locus, then it would make sense to pick just one such sensor, from a reputable, stable manufacturer, and begin by supporting that one. Since these BLE temperature sensor modules are relatively inexpensive, and since (unlike the heartrate monitor situation) users probably do not alreay own one and therefore are not committed to a particular product, it should be ok to support just one such sensor device. In addition to the "myBlue-T" sensor mentioned by Jordan, sensors from MbientLab and RuuviTag might also be candidates (and these latter two also have the benefit of containing BLE barometric pressure sensors).


Some BLE temperature sensor hardware products have their own, stand-alone apps. Theoretically, one could use those manufacturer apps (when they exist) to access temperature data from the sensor. But generally, manufacturer apps don't seem to be very good. For example, Amazon reviews for the myBlue-T sensor suggest the hardware maybe is ok, but the Android app for it is poor. So instead of being forced to use those poor-quality manufacturer's apps (and switch into and out of Locus to get data) it would be great to be able to see the remote temperature information directly in Locus.


Bluetooth ANT+ bridges, such as North Pole Engineering's "CABLE" product, do allow compatible Bluetooth-only devices to receive data from some ANT+ sensors. But these bridges themselves require periodic recharging, adding yet another gizmo to the list of items to which many off-the-grid, long-distance hikers and bicyclists struggle to supply electrical power. And in any case, temperature sensors are not supported by bridges such as CABLE (which relay only speed, cadence, and heart rate data).


So, with all this in mind, please vote "Yes" for Jordan's feature request for BLE temperature sensor support in Locus!

photo
3

Good day Niles, thanks for useful comment and correct point on duplicate topic. Even older, but without comments and less votes, so merged to this Jordan's topic, thanks.

My comment to this: Bluetooth system in Locus needs a rewrite. Once we start on it, I'll keep this topic in mind ...

photo
1

Hi Menion,

that's great! And could you please at this point in time then also keep in mind that recording temperature values (as well as barometric values) in the GPS track would be very helpful and useful!


Best regards

Bernhard

photo
1

Hi Menion, a chart of recorded temperature data would be nice also if you rewrite the Bluetooth system.

photo
1

I'd love to see Bluetooth sensors supported 👍

photo
1

Hi guys,

I have partially good news. Few months ago, I've started, finally, work on the new system for work with the connected sensors. It is now done and ready for testing in the app beta versions.

Yesterday, I've starting to add support for a BT thermometer, namely for a "Thermometer WS07". To my surprise, there is no united system for work with thermometers, so it is highly possible that every thermometer will need its own special support in the app.

Who owns this one, please give it a try and let me know. If anyone has any other thermometer and is willing to spend some time and help me to give it support in the Locus Map 4 as well, please let me know.

Warning: feature will be available only in the new Locus Map 4 version, not in the older Locus Map Pro, thanks for understanding.

photo
1

The product I found in China is called "YC-AT-05"


http://asq.kr/zB31CN

https://www.ycnit.com/?list_5/23.html

It looks like a copy of the SensorPush product.

It may be possible in Europe, but the price is $17.35 without shipping, and of course it's a Bluetooth thermometer.

The advantage of this thermometer is that it can measure down to -40 degrees Celsius.

The products sold by Ali Express in China have the disadvantage of a long delivery time, but the products are generally okay.


Can this product also be supported?

photo
1

Hi Dong,

I've added "SensorPush" sensor to my to-do list, so later. Hopefully, this sensor will have exactly same also communication. Thanks for the tip.

Menion

photo
1

Menion,


Thank you very much for your new work on this, and for keeping us users informed on the progress. Clearly you are disciplined and diligent about keeping a "to-do" list, and then carrying out your plan — even if it takes some time.


I for one am very excited to see this feature continue to develop in Locus.


I apologize that I personally cannot participate in testing right now, because temporarily I am without a device able to run Locus. However, I wanted to respond to your recent update to express my thanks and support for your ongoing work on this. Much appreciated.


I hope my fellow users will be in a position to help in the testing, and I will be watching with interest as they provide feedback. Thank you!

photo
1

Thanks, appreciate it. Do you use any widely used BT sensor to measure temperature? Any tips for any sensors, easily purchasable in the Europe and not too expensive, are welcome, thanks.

photo
1

Your recent work has prompted me to spend some time researching BT thermometer products currently on the market. From my perspective, the SensorPush HT.w looks very promising. If it would help, I would be happy to contribute to the project by donating a SensorPush HT.w to Locus for development use.


(If I understand correctly, a couple of alternatives are no longer in production: the Myblue-T, which Jordan mentioned, and the SensorBlue WS07.)

photo
1

Hi, thanks for your research. SensorPush looks good. Little pricey (maybe because of the nice app) compare to SensorBlue WS07 I've purchased a week ago and which now works quite well.

I'm searching if any app is able to connect to this sensor (except the app from the manufacturer) and can't find any.

The best should be if more users will want to use this sensor. It should be a good reason to purchase it as well and try to add support for it. Thanks for the "donating" offer btw :).

Jiří M. aka Menion

photo
1

Hi guys,

in the latest app Locus Map 4 version is supported for the first thermometer sensor. If you miss any other, write a comment here and I'll add it to the poll at the start of the topic ... and vote there of course :). Unfortunately, these sensors have always the unique style of communication so it has to be added manually one by one ...

Menion

photo
1

I own serveral RuuviTags and would like to see them supported.

Unter https://ruuvi.com/ -> Developers there seems to be free support for indepent developers. Up to I use the RuuviStation software on Android an just found out that there exists a (working) software to reead RuuviTags on Garmin IQ-Connect-Devices (smartwatches, bike computers etc.)


Rolf

photo
1

I had also bought some Ruuvi Tags (3 in 1 multisensors) and i would like to see them integrated with Locus, please..

photo
2

Open source firmware( with bluetooth phone uploading of newly user developed firmware) with open source android application..Many user-case scenarios (even lap counting for racing/timing) !!

photo
1

Is this request still alive? I'd like to know if something like the Tempo disc could be supported. I own one already and the app can find the sensor and connect to it. I just get "no valid data" in sensors manager.

photo
4

Hello Will,

with temperature sensors it is complicated. Unfortunately, there is no united system of communication so every sensor is unique.

If you or anyone other has any nice, ideally globally available sensor, create please a new Idea on this help desk with the tag "temperature" (so it will appear in this list: https://help.locusmap.eu/search/tag:temperature ). If more people will be interested in this certain sensor, I may at least look at it or contact the manufacturer directly with the hope, they will reveal the communication method.

Thanks for understanding.

Replies have been locked on this page!