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How to use the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt cycle computer as a collection device

JamOrHam edited this page Apr 26, 2019 · 1 revision

What is this?

There is support in recent firmware for the Elemnt Bolt cycle computer to allow it to be configured as an xDrip+ collector.

The idea is that you can use the cycle computer while riding and see the numbers on the screen of the cycle computer without needing to have your phone with you.

This has been tested with the G6 only. It may also work with the G5. The "Elemnt Bolt" device has been confirmed as working. Firmware update for the "Elemnt" model should be coming soon but is not available at the time of writing.

This is designed to work in conjunction with your phone. So you use your phone and/or the cycle computer as a collector. If you also use the official hardware receiver or a pump with your G5/G6 then you will need to follow the special instructions to get it working and in that case the Wahoo device takes the place of your phone.

The G5/G6 can only work with two different receiving devices at the same time. If you try to use more than two or try to coexist the same slot on the transmitter with two receivers then it will likely stop reception on both of them.

The feature once activated is not configurable in the Wahoo companion app. The numbers simply will be displayed on the screen as a fixed data box. Records from collection will also be exported in the .Fit file. They are not synced back to xDrip phone app.

How to configure it

  1. Make sure you are running a recent version of xDrip+ (Nightly recommended)
  2. Make sure your Elemnt Bolt is updated to the latest released firmware
  3. Check out this instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VoZAgXCQcM

How to turn it off again

  1. Set your collector to disabled in the xDrip phone app and then repeat the usb configuration process described above. This will set the collector to disabled on the Wahoo device.

How to run the Wahoo in the phone slot

This allows the Wahoo device to occupy the "phone" slot of the G5/G6 so that you can use the Wahoo and another device like a G5/G6 enabled pump. In this mode you better make sure your phone is switched off or out of range or has the xDrip collector disabled whenever your Wahoo device is on or they will conflict.

The method for enabling this is a bit complex as it is actually designed for something else within xDrip, but follow these instructions and it will work:

Within xDrip, select the top left burger menu -> Settings -> Smart Watch Features -> Android Wear Integration

On this page the option you need has its control disabled, to enable it, flip the Android Wear Integration switch to On and then enable both "Enable Wear Collection Service" and "Force Wear Collection Service"

At this point you can enable the option you need which is lower down the page "Only use Wear" -> Enabled

Once you have that enabled, then uncheck "Enable Wear Collection Service" and then flip the top "Android Wear Integration" switch back off.

Now when you use the usb configuration feature it will write the setting: "onlyEverUseWearCollector": true, in to the configuration.

To revert this setting if it is not needed (Eg they are using phone + bolt as receivers) - To do that you follow the same sequence except you uncheck the "Only use Wear" option.