How do I use Garmin data in a video overlay?

Export your activity as a FIT or GPX file from Garmin Connect (web or app), then load it into Stamptivity Overlay alongside your video. Speed, heart rate, cadence, elevation, and power (if recorded) load automatically. Position your gauges, sync the timing, and export as MP4.

Should I export FIT or GPX from Garmin Connect for video overlay?

FIT is better. Garmin's GPX export omits power data and may not include cadence. The FIT file contains all recorded channels — speed, HR, cadence, power, elevation, temperature — at the original resolution. In Garmin Connect web: gear icon (⚙) → Export Original to download the FIT file.

What is the best Garmin device for video overlay cycling?

Any Garmin Edge cycling computer (530, 830, 1040, 1050) or GPS watch with cycling mode (Fenix, Forerunner 965, Epix) works well. Edge computers sample at 1-second intervals and record cadence, power, and HR via ANT+ sensors. Export as FIT from Garmin Connect for the full dataset.

Does Stamptivity work with Garmin FIT files?

Yes. Stamptivity Overlay and Stamptivity Stamp both accept Garmin FIT files directly — no conversion needed. Speed, heart rate, elevation, cadence, and power load automatically from the FIT file.

What replaced Garmin VIRB Edit?

Garmin VIRB Edit is no longer actively maintained since Garmin discontinued the VIRB camera line. Browser-based tools like Stamptivity Overlay provide a modern replacement — no install, works on any OS, and accepts both FIT and GPX files from any Garmin device.

Garmin GPS Data Video Overlay — Add Speed, HR & Map to Your Videos

Garmin is the dominant GPS brand across cycling, running, triathlon, skiing, and hiking. If you use a Garmin device, you already have the most accurate GPS data available for consumer sports recording — in a file format (FIT) that contains more data than almost any other export format.

Here's how to take that Garmin data and overlay it live onto your video footage — speed, heart rate, cadence, elevation, and a moving map — using a free browser-based tool that requires no software install.

Why Garmin Data Is Ideal for Video Overlays

FIT is Garmin's native file format, and it stores significantly more than the standard GPX format:

Data field	FIT	GPX
GPS coordinates + altitude	✓	✓
Speed	✓ (sensor + GPS)	✓ (GPS-calculated)
Heart rate	✓	Sometimes
Cadence	✓	Rarely
Power	✓	✗
Temperature	✓	✗
Timestamps (full UTC)	✓	✓

By using the FIT file rather than the GPX export, you get all the recorded data at original resolution. For cyclists with a power meter, this means watts on screen. For runners with a foot pod, cadence. For triathletes, all three disciplines in sequence.

Step 1: Export Your Garmin Data

From Garmin Connect Web (Recommended)

Go to connect.garmin.com and sign in
Navigate to Activities and open the activity you want
Click the gear icon (⚙) in the top-right of the activity
Select Export Original — this downloads the .fit file, not the processed GPX

Export Original vs. Export to GPX: "Export Original" gives you the raw FIT file from your device with all data fields intact. "Export to GPX" generates a converted file that drops power and may drop cadence.

From the Garmin Connect Mobile App

The mobile app does not support direct FIT export. Options:

Use the web version on a mobile browser (request desktop site)
Use the Garmin Connect IQ or Third-party sync apps like Intervals.icu, TrainingPeaks, or Strava, then export from those platforms

From the Garmin Device Directly

Connect your Garmin Edge or watch via USB. The device mounts as a drive. Navigate to the Activities folder — .fit files are stored here directly. This is the rawest form of the data, before any Garmin Connect processing.

Step 2: Add Garmin Data Overlay to Your Video

What you need:

Your video file (MP4 from GoPro, Insta360, DJI, iPhone, or any camera)
Your Garmin FIT file (or GPX if FIT isn't available)

Steps:

Open Stamptivity Overlay in a desktop browser — Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. No install, no account.
Load your video — drag and drop the MP4 into the video panel, or click to browse. The video plays directly in the browser.
Load your Garmin file — drag and drop the .fit (or .gpx) file. Stamptivity reads the data immediately:
- Speed channel → feeds the speed gauge
- HR channel → feeds the heart rate gauge
- Cadence → cadence gauge
- Elevation → elevation gauge + elevation profile chart
- GPS coordinates → moving map
Add gauges — click any gauge in the left sidebar to place it on the canvas:
- Speed — current speed, numeric or arc gauge style
- Heart Rate — current HR with optional zone colouring
- Elevation — current altitude
- Cadence — current cadence (rpm)
- Map — moving route trace with current position
- Elevation chart — sparkline showing the climb/descent profile
Position gauges — drag each gauge anywhere on the canvas. Resize by dragging the corners.
Sync timing — press play, find a clear reference moment (start of motion, passing a landmark), drag the time offset slider until the speed and map match what you see on screen. Most Garmin + camera combos sync within 5–10 seconds.
Export — click Export to render the finished MP4 with all gauges burned in at full resolution.

Open Stamptivity Overlay →

Compatible Garmin Devices

Cycling computers:

Device	Key data	Best for
Garmin Edge 1050 / 1040	Speed, HR, cadence, power, elevation	Road and gravel cycling
Garmin Edge 830 / 540	Speed, HR, cadence, power, elevation	Road and trail
Garmin Edge 530	Speed, HR, cadence, elevation	Road and trail
Garmin Edge Explore 2	Speed, HR, elevation	Casual and touring

GPS Watches:

Device	Key data	Best for
Garmin Fenix 7X / 8	Speed, HR, elevation, HRV	Multisport, trail, skiing
Garmin Forerunner 965 / 265	Speed, HR, cadence, elevation	Running, triathlon
Garmin Epix Pro	Speed, HR, elevation	Multisport
Garmin Vivoactive 5	Speed, HR, elevation	General fitness

What About Garmin VIRB Edit?

Garmin VIRB Edit was the official Garmin desktop application for creating GPS data video overlays. It worked well and supported FIT files natively. However:

Garmin discontinued the VIRB camera line
VIRB Edit has not received meaningful updates since ~2021
Apple Silicon compatibility is inconsistent on newer macOS versions
The interface is dated compared to current browser tools

Feature	Garmin VIRB Edit	Stamptivity Overlay
Price	Free	Free
Platform	Windows, macOS	Any desktop browser
Install required	Yes	No
FIT file support	✓	✓
GPX support	✓	✓
Power data display	✓	Via FIT
Actively maintained	✗	✅
GoPro GPMF support	✗	Via extracted GPX

For most Garmin users, Stamptivity is the practical modern replacement — no install, works on any OS, and handles FIT files directly.

Activity-Specific Overlay Setups

Road cycling:

Speed + heart rate + cadence + moving map. If you have a power meter, add power. Position the map in one corner, speed and HR in the opposite corner, cadence below speed. This is the standard format for cycling YouTube channels.

Running:

Pace + heart rate + elevation chart. Cadence if you use a running pod. Map in the corner. HR is the compelling data for running content — show it prominently.

Triathlon:

Load the multi-sport FIT file (all three legs in sequence). Stamptivity reads the full activity — swim GPS may be sparse (open water), but bike and run data will be complete.

Skiing:

Speed + current elevation (altitude) + map. Use the Garmin Fenix or Forerunner ski mode to record — it optimises GPS settings for mountain terrain. Export FIT from Garmin Connect → load into Stamptivity.

Hiking:

Elevation chart + current altitude + moving map. Distance as a supporting stat. For long days with big vertical, the elevation profile is more interesting than speed.

Troubleshooting

FIT file won't load: Confirm you used "Export Original" from Garmin Connect web, not "Export to GPX". The original file should have a .fit extension.

Heart rate not showing: Check that you had an HR monitor paired during the activity. If you recorded without an HRM, the FIT file simply has no HR data. Export via "Export Original" — the "Export to GPX" path can drop HR on some account types.

Speed is in wrong units: Switch between km/h and mph in the gauge settings after placing the gauge on canvas.

Map looks wrong or has straight-line jumps: GPS dropout — usually from tunnels, underpasses, or dense tree cover. This is in the source data and can't be corrected in the overlay. The speed gauge is unaffected by brief position dropouts.