How CrewLink Works & Technical Guide
A battery-efficient live GPS beacon and telemetry system designed for Garmin athletes, ultramarathons, trail running, and support crews.
3-Step Setup Walkthrough
Getting started with live telemetry on your Garmin watch takes under 2 minutes:
1
Install Connect IQ App
Download the CrewLink datafield onto your watch from the Garmin Connect IQ Store ↗.
2
Claim Link & Pair
Create your runner handle on crewlink.run. Paste your 6-character pairing code into the Connect IQ app settings in Garmin Connect Mobile.
3
Live Tracking for Crew
Add CrewLink to your Garmin activity data screen and start your run. Your crew opens your permanent tracking link in any browser—no login or app needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CrewLink compare to Garmin LiveTrack?
CrewLink provides permanent personalized URLs (e.g.
crewlink.run/yourname), real-time aid station arrival ETAs calculated from GPX route pacing, elevation profiles, watch battery percentage monitoring, distance calibration to fix GPS drift, and a live spectator map with crew location—all without expiring session links.
Is CrewLink free to use?
Yes, CrewLink is completely free during our public beta. While we may explore optional premium features in the future, core live tracking will always remain accessible for athletes and support crews.
Does my support crew need to install an app or create an account?
No. Support crews, friends, and family do not need to download an app or create an account. They simply open your personalized tracking link in any desktop or mobile browser to follow your live progress in real time.
Can I use CrewLink without a preloaded GPX course?
Yes. If you don't load a GPX course file, CrewLink still tracks your live GPS coordinates, distance, duration, elevation, pace, heart rate, and watch battery. Loading a GPX course enhances the experience by adding aid station arrival ETAs, route snapping, and elevation profiles.
Which Garmin devices are compatible with CrewLink?
CrewLink supports modern Garmin watches with Connect IQ background service support. Compatible models include Fenix 8, Fenix E, Fenix 7/7S/7X (Pro), Enduro 3, Epix (Gen 2 / Pro), Forerunner 965, 955, 265/265S, 255/255S, 165, Venu 3/3S, Vivoactive 5, and Instinct 3 / E series.
Is CrewLink an App, a Widget, or a Data Field?
CrewLink is a lightweight Connect IQ Data Field app. This means you can add it directly as a data screen within your existing native Garmin activity profiles (e.g. Trail Run, Run, Ultra Run, Bike) without replacing your preferred sport app, navigation, or workout screens.
How much battery does CrewLink consume on my Garmin watch?
CrewLink is engineered for long runs, marathons, ultra runs, and multi-day events. Connect IQ 5.0.0+ allows high-efficiency foreground network calls with sub-kilobyte payloads. In standard 5-minute ping mode, battery impact is negligible (< 1–2% additional drain over 12 hours). Even in high-frequency 1-minute race mode, the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) burst is so brief that watch GPS and optical heart rate remain the dominant power consumers.
Does CrewLink require my phone during the activity?
Yes. CrewLink transmits live telemetry over Bluetooth from your Garmin watch to the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone, which uploads the data to the CrewLink live map over cellular data.
What happens when I enter a cellular dead zone with no reception?
Your Garmin watch continues recording your activity normally. The CrewLink live map displays your last known position and timestamp. As soon as your phone reconnects to cellular service, the latest live telemetry will resume broadcasting to your crew.
Can my crew see how much battery is left on my Garmin watch?
Yes. Live watch battery percentage is transmitted with every telemetry ping, so your support crew knows exactly when you might need a power bank or charger at an aid station.
How does CrewLink calculate Aid Station Arrival ETAs?
When a GPX course with waypoints is uploaded, CrewLink calculates your real-time ETA for upcoming checkpoints and aid stations by projecting your recent rolling average pace along the remaining trail distance of the route.
How does Distance Calibration and GPS Drift Correction work?
Over long distances or under dense tree cover, Garmin watch GPS distance can drift relative to official race course markers. When Distance Calibration is enabled, CrewLink snaps your position to the GPX track and calibrates your progression to match the official course distance.
Can my support crew see their own location on the course map?
Yes. Spectators and crew members can tap "Show My Location" on the tracking page to display their real-time blue location marker on the course map, making it easy to navigate to the correct crew access point or cheer spot. Crew location stays strictly in the browser and is never stored on servers.
Can I make my live tracking private with a password?
Yes. In your Runner Settings, you can set an optional Crew Passcode. When enabled, spectators visiting your tracking link will be prompted to enter the passcode before viewing your live telemetry and map.
Can I upload multiple GPX courses to my profile?
Yes. You can save multiple GPX courses to your CrewLink library and switch between them anytime. You can also enable "Auto-Select on Watch Start" so CrewLink automatically detects and activates the course closest to your starting coordinates.
What happens on the map when I finish my run or pause my watch?
When you finish your activity on your Garmin watch, the live map status updates to "FINISHED" (or "STOPPED" / "PAUSED") and displays your complete trail, overall time, total distance, and ascent. Your track remains visible for your crew to review.
Does CrewLink support cycling, hiking, and other sports?
Yes. While optimized for trail and ultramarathon runners, the CrewLink datafield can be added to any Garmin activity profile including Cycling, Mountain Biking, Gravel, Hiking, Walking, and XC Skiing.
Live Telemetry & Metrics Specification
CrewLink transmits lightweight, low-overhead background beacons from your Garmin watch via your smartphone's Bluetooth connection to the live spectator dashboard.
| Telemetry Field | Metric Unit | Details |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Position | Latitude, Longitude | High-precision WGS84 coordinates from Garmin GPS/GNSS sensor. |
| Elapsed Time | hh:mm:ss | Accurate activity moving duration. |
| Distance Covered | Meters (km / miles) | Total workout distance, with optional GPX track calibration. |
| Pace & Speed | min/km (min/mi) & km/h (mph) | Current instantaneous speed and rolling session average pace. |
| Heart Rate | BPM | Live heart rate and overall workout average heart rate. |
| Elevation & Ascent | Meters (m / ft) | Current elevation and total cumulative elevation gain. |
| Watch Battery | Percentage (%) | Real-time Garmin watch battery level. |
| Activity State | Status String | Active, Paused, Stopped, or Completed with start timestamp. |
| Sport Identifier | Garmin Sport ID | Mapped to 60+ Garmin sport profiles (Trail Run, MTB, Gravel, Hike, etc.). |
Update Frequencies & Battery Conservation
- Active Recording Telemetry (Connect IQ 5.0+): Handled directly from the foreground watch process via
Communications.makeWebRequest(). Configurable via dropdown in Runner Settings to 15 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min (default), 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, 30 min, or 60 min. Immediate 0-second beacon push on workout start ensures your crew sees you active instantly. - Background Tracking Interval: Optional passive location tracking when not actively recording an activity, scheduled via Garmin's temporal event service to 5, 15, 30, 60 (default), or 120 minutes (2 hours).
Ultra-Endurance Tested: In 5-minute ping mode, CrewLink contributes less than 1–2% additional battery drain per 12 hours on modern Garmin watches (e.g. Fenix 8, Enduro 3, Forerunner 965). In high-frequency 1-minute race mode, battery life easily spans 20+ hours of continuous GPS recording.
Device & Sport Compatibility
CrewLink operates on Garmin watches supporting Connect IQ System 7 (API Level 5.0.0+):
Supported Garmin Hardware:
- Fenix & Enduro Series: Fenix 8 (AMOLED & Solar), Fenix E, Fenix 7 / 7S / 7X (Standard & Pro), Enduro 3
- Epix Series: Epix (Gen 2), Epix Pro (42mm, 47mm, 51mm)
- Forerunner Series: Forerunner 965, 955, 265 / 265S, 255 / 255S / Music, 165 / 165 Music
- Venu & Vivoactive: Venu 3 / 3S, Vivoactive 5
- Instinct Series: Instinct 3 (AMOLED & Solar), Instinct E
Supported Sport Profiles:
Add the CrewLink Data Field into any built-in Garmin sport profile: Trail Running, Ultra Running, Running, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Gravel Riding, Hiking, Walking, Track Running, Treadmill, and Cross-Country Skiing.