Garmin MK
Garmin MK
Is there something in the pipeline to support Bluetooth for downloading from the Garmin MK dive computer to the IOS version, or is there something for the OS version via cable or Bluetooth. The current workaround with FIT files is a pain when at a resort or on a boat.
Re: Garmin MK
Hi,
Garmin's Mk1 and Mk2 (and Mk2i) have slightly different answers. I suspect that you are asking about the MK2i, but I will attempt to address both models here for everyone's edification.
Unfortunately, there is no way for a 3rd party app to download the Mk2i directly via Bluetooth (safely). This is a restriction imposed by Garmin and it would put your Mk device at risk of corruption if we tried to do it (we’ve worked extensively with Garmin on both the MK1 and MK2 and while they would love for us to be ale to do this it is just not possible).
One feature of our import support in Dive Log is the ability to combine the imported dive data with manually entered data. This feature can be helpful when there is no internet access available to get your FIT files downloaded. You can manually add dives as you do them in Dive Log and capture things like weather condition, dive site information and signatures then, when it is convenient, you can fetch your FIT files and import them in such a way that the FIT data is integrated with the manually entered dives.
The Mk1 can, with some work, be directly connect to your iPhone or iPad so that you can directly fetch the FIT files from the device with no need to use the internet. This is possible because the Mk1 supports USB disk mode. Unfortunately, with the Mk2, Garmin decided to support MTP mode which can not be directly supported on iOS so there is no way to directly connect the Mk2 to an iPhone or iPad (the story is slightly different for the Mac but it is still an issue as macOS also does not support MTP natively).
To directly connect the Mk1 to your iPhone or iPad (requires iOS 13 or later) you would need an adaptor and mostly likely a power connection as well (the Mk1 has high power requirements that the ports on the iPhone and iPad can not usually supply). Here are all the details for how to import fit files directly from the Descent:
You do need an extra adapter to get the Descent and the iPhone/iPad to physically connect. If you have a iPhone or an iPad that uses a traditional Lightening connector you need to get a USB to Lightening adaptor. The catch is that Apple only allows a small amount of power to be provided by the Lightening connector and the Descent requires too much power so you either need this adapter from Apple:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0W2AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0
and you’ll want to use one of Apple’s higher power USB power bricks. Or, if you have this one:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD821AM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0
you would also need to use a powered USB hub. However, using the first one (I’ve tested both) you can just plug your regular power adapter into the Lightening port on the adapter and that should provide enough power to power the Descent and allow it to connect.
If you have an iPad that has a USB-C connector then it is a bit easier as that should provide enough power to drive the Mk1 (you might need to have your Mk1 relatively fully charged in this case if you are not using a powered adapter). The adapter you need converts from regular USB to USB C. There are two options from Apple. The first has a way to provide additional power to the Descent (which you might need but I doubt it):
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MUF82AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0
or this one that does not have a way to apply power (which *should* work … I don’t have a USB C iPad to test with):
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0
Once you’ve got that hooked up you simply plug the Mk1 into the adapter and plug the adapter into the iPhone/iPad. It can take a minute for the iPad/iPhone to detect and mount the Mk1 the first time (it seem to be much quicker after the first time). Then you just use the Import option on the Synchronization tab in Dive Log to import the dives directly from the Mk1 (no network needed).
One thing that can help with the power requirements is to make sure that your Mk1 is full charged before you try to connect it to your iOS device. Also note that you may need more power that you can get from the small 5w iPhone power adaptor. One of the 10w or 20w iPad adaptors tend to work better.
Sorry that I don't have a better answer for you. The Mk1 and Mk2 are great dive computers. Unfortunately, due to Garmin's desire to fit with the rest of their ecosystem they are a bit more difficult to use with 3rd party applications that we'd like.
Cheers,
Greg
Garmin's Mk1 and Mk2 (and Mk2i) have slightly different answers. I suspect that you are asking about the MK2i, but I will attempt to address both models here for everyone's edification.
Unfortunately, there is no way for a 3rd party app to download the Mk2i directly via Bluetooth (safely). This is a restriction imposed by Garmin and it would put your Mk device at risk of corruption if we tried to do it (we’ve worked extensively with Garmin on both the MK1 and MK2 and while they would love for us to be ale to do this it is just not possible).
One feature of our import support in Dive Log is the ability to combine the imported dive data with manually entered data. This feature can be helpful when there is no internet access available to get your FIT files downloaded. You can manually add dives as you do them in Dive Log and capture things like weather condition, dive site information and signatures then, when it is convenient, you can fetch your FIT files and import them in such a way that the FIT data is integrated with the manually entered dives.
The Mk1 can, with some work, be directly connect to your iPhone or iPad so that you can directly fetch the FIT files from the device with no need to use the internet. This is possible because the Mk1 supports USB disk mode. Unfortunately, with the Mk2, Garmin decided to support MTP mode which can not be directly supported on iOS so there is no way to directly connect the Mk2 to an iPhone or iPad (the story is slightly different for the Mac but it is still an issue as macOS also does not support MTP natively).
To directly connect the Mk1 to your iPhone or iPad (requires iOS 13 or later) you would need an adaptor and mostly likely a power connection as well (the Mk1 has high power requirements that the ports on the iPhone and iPad can not usually supply). Here are all the details for how to import fit files directly from the Descent:
You do need an extra adapter to get the Descent and the iPhone/iPad to physically connect. If you have a iPhone or an iPad that uses a traditional Lightening connector you need to get a USB to Lightening adaptor. The catch is that Apple only allows a small amount of power to be provided by the Lightening connector and the Descent requires too much power so you either need this adapter from Apple:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0W2AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0
and you’ll want to use one of Apple’s higher power USB power bricks. Or, if you have this one:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD821AM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0
you would also need to use a powered USB hub. However, using the first one (I’ve tested both) you can just plug your regular power adapter into the Lightening port on the adapter and that should provide enough power to power the Descent and allow it to connect.
If you have an iPad that has a USB-C connector then it is a bit easier as that should provide enough power to drive the Mk1 (you might need to have your Mk1 relatively fully charged in this case if you are not using a powered adapter). The adapter you need converts from regular USB to USB C. There are two options from Apple. The first has a way to provide additional power to the Descent (which you might need but I doubt it):
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MUF82AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0
or this one that does not have a way to apply power (which *should* work … I don’t have a USB C iPad to test with):
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter?fnode=91&fs=f=adapter&fh=4588%2B45b0
Once you’ve got that hooked up you simply plug the Mk1 into the adapter and plug the adapter into the iPhone/iPad. It can take a minute for the iPad/iPhone to detect and mount the Mk1 the first time (it seem to be much quicker after the first time). Then you just use the Import option on the Synchronization tab in Dive Log to import the dives directly from the Mk1 (no network needed).
One thing that can help with the power requirements is to make sure that your Mk1 is full charged before you try to connect it to your iOS device. Also note that you may need more power that you can get from the small 5w iPhone power adaptor. One of the 10w or 20w iPad adaptors tend to work better.
Sorry that I don't have a better answer for you. The Mk1 and Mk2 are great dive computers. Unfortunately, due to Garmin's desire to fit with the rest of their ecosystem they are a bit more difficult to use with 3rd party applications that we'd like.
Cheers,
Greg