Apple Watch HR to Karoo 2

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Kristóf Szabó

Interesting thing happened:

I used my Karoo 2 with an app (ECHO Heart Rate app) which can receive HR data from my Apple watch and broadcast it via standard bluetooth HR protocol to the Karoo 2. It worked until the 1.386.1509 update. After this update the Karoo 2 can detect the HR stream, it shows that the HR sensor is connected, but the HR value is almost always 0.
I tried the ECHO app with a Garmin Edge GPS, and it worked without any issue, and tried with a Strava app on another iPhone, and worked fine. I tried to reconnect the sensor and pair it again, but it didn't solve the problem. Sometimes it works for a few minutes, but it is a very rare occasion.

While I opened a ticket to Hammerhead, I downloaded another HR broadcast app, the 'HRM Heart Rate Monitor' app. The result is the same like the ECHO Heart Rate app. It doesn't work with the Karoo 2, but it does work with Garmin and with iPhone Strava app.

Do you have the same experience, or I am alone with this issue?

If I understand well these apps broadcast HR data via standard BL HR protocol same protocol that the normal chest HR straps use. Why these apps work well with other devices, but do not work with Karoo 2? Is it a bug, or is it an intentional limitation in the Karoo?

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    Kristóf Szabó

    Today I did a "hard reset" on the Karoo 2. It solved the issue temporary. The ECHO app connected instantly, and worked well until I rebooted the Karoo and tried to connect the sensor again. I did a "hard reset" again, and I could use it for one ride.

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    Jason K

    Have tried various software solutions with mixed results as many have noted. Switched to hardware based AW relay via Watch Link Pod and haven’t had any issues.

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    Guido Del Giudice

    are there any Apple watch apps that currently work with the Karoo 2?

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    Bruce Coakley

    Seems as if hammerhead doesn’t want to address this issue or just come out and say, we don’t want our product and our customers to be able to use Apple products

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    Guido Del Giudice

    I really doubt they will address this issue

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    Ali

    Hi All,

    Apple watch and Karoo integration is not currently possible, similar to how an Apple watch cannot pair with an Android phone. There are ways to hack it around, but do those hacks are not seamless or without issues. It is primarily due to how Apple has implemented the hardware/software - they use a closed protocol that doesn't allow broadcasting as a Bluetooth sensor.

    That said, we have seen some workarounds when browsing various forums and one such post is pinned on our forum:
    https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/community/posts/360039269934-Using-your-Apple-Watch-heart-rate-with-the-Karoo-Beta-test

    This is for using 3rd-party apps like HeartCast.

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    Jewl Kay

    Hi Ali,

    this is not quite right! Please refer to Apple‘s GymKit which makes this possible to let the Apple Watch HR and workout details be broadcasted to K2 as it is done with the Peloton Bike (which is also Android). Peloton also offers a dedicated App which can be leveraged as alternative to push HR information!

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    Ali

    Hi Jewl. yes we are aware of the Peloton and other devices that do connect with Apple watch through GymKit. These devices and other gym equipment are compatible through NFC reader that allows data sharing with Apple watch. NFC is not present on Karoo 2, so in order to get that working would mean a change in whole or Karoo 2's hardware. Using 3rd party apps on your Watch to broadcast HR data is the best and simplest way. I used it for a while personally before switching to a HRM + strap for more reliable data.

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    Jewl Kay
    • Edited

    Hi Ali,

    thanks for the clarification, that makes sense and then I believe we need to hope this might be included in the next iteration of the Karoo ;-)

    Cheers,
    Jewl

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    Thomas Knäschke

    Hello,

    i bought the new karoo, it is possible to transfer the heart rate to apple watch?

    Thank you.

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    Jewl Kay

    Only Ali knows ;-) but I do not believe they have added this to the new Karoo as they might have promoted it then actively!

    I gave up on this tbh.

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