The FLORA NeoGeo Watch is very easy to use. It has three modes. To change between modes, press and hold the button for about 2-3 seconds. You can hold down the button and it will change from mode 1 to mode 2 to mode 3 and then back to mode 1. The three modes are:

  1. Watch Mode
  2. Navigation Mode
  3. Compass Mode

Watch Mode works by having showing the "hour hand" as an orange LED, the "minute hand" as a yellow LED, and if both "hands" are on top of each other, the LED will glow purple. When you first turn on your watch, you need to give the GPS a clear view of the sky. Once the GPS locks on, it will automatically update the time for you. Now, if you lose a GPS signal, it will still remember the time (until you disconnect the watch from power).

Navigation Mode works by pointing an LED in the direction you need to go to reach the coordinates you entered in the sketch. When you get close to your destination, the LED will change from yellow to red. You need to have a constant GPS lock for this mode to work.

Compass Mode works by always pointing north with a blue LED.

The code for the FLORA NeoGeo Watch is pretty simple and straightforward. We are using the standard Adafruit GPS Library, a Time Library, the LSM303 Compass Module Library, and the FLORA Pixel Library. You will find links to the libraries at https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/tree/main/Flora/Flora_NeoGeo_Watch.

To get the code, click the Download File button below.

// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 Anne Barela for Adafruit Industries
//
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT

// Test code for Adafruit Flora GPS modules
//
// This code shows how to listen to the GPS module in an interrupt
// which allows the program to have more 'freedom' - just parse
// when a new NMEA sentence is available! Then access data when
// desired.
//
// Tested and works great with the Adafruit Flora GPS module
// ------> http://adafruit.com/products/1059
// Pick one up today atAdafruit https://www.adafruit.com/
// and help support open source hardware & software! 

#include <Adafruit_GPS.h>
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#include <TimeLib.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
#include <Adafruit_LSM303DLH_Mag.h>


Adafruit_GPS GPS(&Serial1);
/* Assign a unique ID to this sensor at the same time */
Adafruit_LSM303DLH_Mag_Unified mag = Adafruit_LSM303DLH_Mag_Unified(12345);

// Set GPSECHO to 'false' to turn off echoing the GPS data to the Serial console
// Set to 'true' if you want to debug and listen to the raw GPS sentences
#define GPSECHO false

// this keeps track of whether we're using the interrupt
// off by default!
boolean usingInterrupt = false;

//--------------------------------------------------|
//                    WAYPOINT                      |
//--------------------------------------------------|
//Please enter the latitude and longitude of your   |
//desired destination:                              |
#define GEO_LAT                48.009551
#define GEO_LON               -88.771131
//--------------------------------------------------|
//Your NeoPixel ring may not line up with ours.     |
//Enter which NeoPixel led is your top LED (0-15).  |
#define TOP_LED                1
//--------------------------------------------------|
//Your compass module may not line up with ours.    |
//Once you run compass mode, compare to a separate  |
//compass (like one found on your smartphone).      |
//Point your TOP_LED north, then count clockwise    |
//how many LEDs away from TOP_LED the lit LED is    |
#define LED_OFFSET             0
//--------------------------------------------------|

// Navigation location
float targetLat = GEO_LAT;
float targetLon = GEO_LON;

// Trip distance
float tripDistance;

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(16, 6, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

// Offset hours from gps time (UTC)
//const int offset = 1;   // Central European Time
//const int offset = -4;  // Eastern Daylight Time (USA)
const int offset = -5;  // Central Daylight Time (USA)
//const int offset = -8;  // Pacific Standard Time (USA)
//const int offset = -7;  // Pacific Daylight Time (USA)

int topLED = TOP_LED;
int compassOffset = LED_OFFSET;

int lastMin = 16;
int lastHour = 16;
int startLED = 0;
int startLEDlast = 16;
int lastCombined = 0;
int start = 0;
int mode = 0;
int lastDir = 16;
int dirLED_r = 0;
int dirLED_g = 0;
int dirLED_b = 255;
int compassReading;

// Calibration offsets
float magxOffset = 2.55;
float magyOffset = 27.95;

// Pushbutton setup
int buttonPin = 10;             // the number of the pushbutton pin
int buttonState;               // the current reading from the input pin
int lastButtonState = HIGH;    // the previous reading from the input pin
long buttonHoldTime = 0;         // the last time the output pin was toggled
long buttonHoldDelay = 2500;      // how long to hold the button down

// the following variables are long's because the time, measured in miliseconds,
// will quickly become a bigger number than can be stored in an int.
long lastDebounceTime = 0;     // the last time the output pin was toggled
long debounceDelay = 50;       // the debounce time; increase if the output flickers
long menuDelay = 2500;
long menuTime;

float fLat = 0.0;
float fLon = 0.0;

void setup()
{
  // connect at 115200 so we can read the GPS fast enough and echo without dropping chars
  // also spit it out
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println("Adafruit GPS library basic test!");

  // 9600 NMEA is the default baud rate for Adafruit MTK GPS's- some use 4800
  GPS.begin(9600);
  // uncomment this line to turn on RMC (recommended minimum) and GGA (fix data) including altitude
  GPS.sendCommand(PMTK_SET_NMEA_OUTPUT_RMCGGA);
  // uncomment this line to turn on only the "minimum recommended" data
  //GPS.sendCommand(PMTK_SET_NMEA_OUTPUT_RMCONLY);
  // For parsing data, we don't suggest using anything but either RMC only or RMC+GGA since
  // the parser doesn't care about other sentences at this time
  // Set the update rate
  GPS.sendCommand(PMTK_SET_NMEA_UPDATE_1HZ); // 1 Hz update rate
  // For the parsing code to work nicely and have time to sort thru the data, and
  // print it out we don't suggest using anything higher than 1 Hz

  // Request updates on antenna status, comment out to keep quiet
  GPS.sendCommand(PGCMD_ANTENNA);

  /* Initialise the sensor */
  if(!mag.begin())
  {
    /* There was a problem detecting the LSM303 ... check your connections */
    Serial.println("Ooops, no LSM303 detected ... Check your wiring!");
    while(1);
  }
  // Ask for firmware version
  Serial1.println(PMTK_Q_RELEASE);

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'

  // Make input & enable pull-up resistors on switch pins for pushbutton
  pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(buttonPin, HIGH); 
}

uint32_t gpsTimer = millis();
uint32_t startupTimer = millis();
uint32_t compassTimer = millis();

void loop() // run over and over again
{
  compassCheck();
  // read the state of the switch into a local variable:
  int buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin);

  if (buttonState == LOW) {
    buttonCheck();
  }

  lastButtonState = buttonState;

  //Serial.println(buttonState);
  // read data from the GPS in the 'main loop'
  char c = GPS.read();
  // if you want to debug, this is a good time to do it!
  if (GPSECHO)
    if (c) Serial.print(c);
  // if a sentence is received, we can check the checksum, parse it...
  if (GPS.newNMEAreceived()) {
    // a tricky thing here is if we print the NMEA sentence, or data
    // we end up not listening and catching other sentences!
    // so be very wary if using OUTPUT_ALLDATA and trytng to print out data
    Serial.println(GPS.lastNMEA()); // this also sets the newNMEAreceived() flag to false
    if (!GPS.parse(GPS.lastNMEA())) // this also sets the newNMEAreceived() flag to false
      return; // we can fail to parse a sentence in which case we should just wait for another
  }

  // if millis() or timer wraps around, we'll just reset it
  if (gpsTimer > millis()) gpsTimer = millis();

  if (start == 0) {
    if (GPS.fix) {
      // set the Time to the latest GPS reading
      setTime(GPS.hour, GPS.minute, GPS.seconds, GPS.day, GPS.month, GPS.year);
      delay(50);
      adjustTime(offset * SECS_PER_HOUR);
      delay(500);
      tripDistance = (double)calc_dist(fLat, fLon, targetLat, targetLon);
      start = 1;
    }
  }    
  // approximately every 60 seconds or so, update time
  if ((millis() - gpsTimer > 60000) && (start == 1)) {
    gpsTimer = millis(); // reset the timer
    if (GPS.fix) {
      // set the Time to the latest GPS reading
      setTime(GPS.hour, GPS.minute, GPS.seconds, GPS.day, GPS.month, GPS.year);
      delay(50);
      adjustTime(offset * SECS_PER_HOUR);
      delay(500);
    }
  }

  if (GPS.fix) {
    fLat = decimalDegrees(GPS.latitude, GPS.lat);
    fLon = decimalDegrees(GPS.longitude, GPS.lon);
  }

  if (mode == 0) {
    clockMode();
  }

  if (mode == 1) {
    navMode();
  }

  if (mode == 2) {
    compassMode();
  }
}

// Fill the dots one after the other with a color
void colorWipe(uint32_t c, uint8_t wait) {
  for(uint16_t i=0; i<strip.numPixels(); i++) {
    strip.setPixelColor(i, c);
    strip.show();
    delay(wait);
  }
}

void buttonCheck() {
  menuTime = millis();
  int buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin);
  if (buttonState == LOW && lastButtonState == HIGH) {
    buttonHoldTime = millis();
  }

  if (buttonState == LOW && lastButtonState == LOW) {
    if ((millis() - buttonHoldTime) > buttonHoldDelay) {

      if(mode == 2) {
        mode = 0;
        lastMin = 16;
        lastHour = 16;
        colorWipe(strip.Color(0, 0, 0), 20);
        buttonHoldTime = millis();
      } 
      else {
        mode = mode + 1;
        colorWipe(strip.Color(0, 0, 0), 20);
        buttonHoldTime = millis();
      }
    }
  }
}

void clockMode() {
  if (start == 1) {
    strip.setPixelColor(startLEDlast, strip.Color(0, 0, 0));
    strip.show();

    float gpsMin = (minute() + (second()/60.0));
    unsigned int ledMin = 0;
    int minTemp = 0;
    minTemp = topLED - (gpsMin + 1.875)/3.75;

    if (minTemp < 0) {
      ledMin = minTemp + 16;
    } 
    else {
      ledMin = minTemp;
    }

    float gpsHour = (hour() + (minute()/60.0));
    if (gpsHour > 12) { 
      gpsHour = gpsHour - 12; 
    }
    unsigned int ledHour = 0;
    int hourTemp = 0;
    hourTemp = topLED - (gpsHour + .375)/.75;

    if (hourTemp < 0) {
      ledHour = hourTemp + 16;
    } 
    else {
      ledHour = hourTemp;
    }

    if ((ledHour == ledMin) && (lastCombined == 0)) {
      strip.setPixelColor(lastHour, strip.Color(0, 0, 0));
      strip.setPixelColor(lastMin, strip.Color(0, 0, 0));
      strip.setPixelColor(ledHour, strip.Color(255, 0, 255));
      strip.show();
      lastCombined = 1;
      lastHour = ledHour;
      lastMin = ledMin;
    } 
    else {
      if (lastHour != ledHour) {
        strip.setPixelColor(lastHour, strip.Color(0, 0, 0));
        strip.setPixelColor(ledHour, strip.Color(255, 50, 0));
        strip.show();
        lastHour = ledHour;
      }
      if (lastMin != ledMin) {
        strip.setPixelColor(lastMin, strip.Color(0, 0, 0));
        strip.setPixelColor(ledMin, strip.Color(200, 200, 0));
        if (lastCombined == 1) {
          strip.setPixelColor(ledHour, strip.Color(255, 0, 0));
          lastCombined = 0;
        }
        strip.show();
        lastMin = ledMin;
      }
    }   
  } 
  else {
    // if millis() or timer wraps around, we'll just reset it
    if (startupTimer > millis()) startupTimer = millis();

    // approximately every 10 seconds or so, update time
    if (millis() - startupTimer > 200) {
      startupTimer = millis(); // reset the timer
      if (startLED == 16) {
        startLED = 0;
      }
      strip.setPixelColor(startLEDlast, strip.Color(0, 0, 0));
      strip.setPixelColor(startLED, strip.Color(0, 255, 0));
      strip.show();
      startLEDlast = startLED;
      startLED++;
      //delay(200);
    }
  }
}

void navMode() {
  if (start == 1) {

    compassCheck();

    headingDistance((double)calc_dist(fLat, fLon, targetLat, targetLon));

    if ((calc_bearing(fLat, fLon, targetLat, targetLon) - compassReading) > 0) {
      compassDirection(calc_bearing(fLat, fLon, targetLat, targetLon)-compassReading);
    } 
    else {
      compassDirection(calc_bearing(fLat, fLon, targetLat, targetLon)-compassReading+360);
    }

  } 
  else {
    // if millis() or timer wraps around, we'll just reset it
    if (startupTimer > millis()) startupTimer = millis();

    // approximately every 10 seconds or so, update time
    if (millis() - startupTimer > 200) {
      startupTimer = millis(); // reset the timer
      if (startLED == 16) {
        startLED = 0;
      }
      strip.setPixelColor(startLEDlast, strip.Color(0, 0, 0));
      strip.setPixelColor(startLED, strip.Color(0, 0, 255));
      strip.show();
      startLEDlast = startLED;
      startLED++;
    }
  }
}

int calc_bearing(float flat1, float flon1, float flat2, float flon2)
{
  float calc;
  float bear_calc;

  float x = 69.1 * (flat2 - flat1); 
  float y = 69.1 * (flon2 - flon1) * cos(flat1/57.3);

  calc=atan2(y,x);

  bear_calc= degrees(calc);

  if(bear_calc<=1){
    bear_calc=360+bear_calc; 
  }
  return bear_calc;
}
void headingDistance(int fDist)
{
  //Use this part of the code to determine how far you are away from the destination.
  //The total trip distance (from where you started) is divided into five trip segments.
  float tripSegment = tripDistance/5;

  if (fDist >= (tripSegment*4)) {
    dirLED_r = 255;
    dirLED_g = 0;
    dirLED_b = 0;
  }

  if ((fDist >= (tripSegment*3))&&(fDist < (tripSegment*4))) {
    dirLED_r = 255;
    dirLED_g = 0;
    dirLED_b = 0;
  }

  if ((fDist >= (tripSegment*2))&&(fDist < (tripSegment*3))) {
    dirLED_r = 255;
    dirLED_g = 255;
    dirLED_b = 0;
  }

  if ((fDist >= tripSegment)&&(fDist < (tripSegment*2))) {
    dirLED_r = 255;
    dirLED_g = 255;
    dirLED_b = 0;
  }

  if ((fDist >= 5)&&(fDist < tripSegment)) {
    dirLED_r = 255;
    dirLED_g = 255;
    dirLED_b = 0;
  }

  if ((fDist < 5)) { // You are now within 5 meters of your destination.
    //Serial.println("Arrived at destination!");
    dirLED_r = 0;
    dirLED_g = 255;
    dirLED_b = 0;
  }
}


unsigned long calc_dist(float flat1, float flon1, float flat2, float flon2)
{
  float dist_calc=0;
  float dist_calc2=0;
  float diflat=0;
  float diflon=0;

  diflat=radians(flat2-flat1);
  flat1=radians(flat1);
  flat2=radians(flat2);
  diflon=radians((flon2)-(flon1));

  dist_calc = (sin(diflat/2.0)*sin(diflat/2.0));
  dist_calc2= cos(flat1);
  dist_calc2*=cos(flat2);
  dist_calc2*=sin(diflon/2.0);
  dist_calc2*=sin(diflon/2.0);
  dist_calc +=dist_calc2;

  dist_calc=(2*atan2(sqrt(dist_calc),sqrt(1.0-dist_calc)));

  dist_calc*=6371000.0; //Converting to meters
  return dist_calc;
}

// Convert NMEA coordinate to decimal degrees
float decimalDegrees(float nmeaCoord, char dir) {
  uint16_t wholeDegrees = 0.01*nmeaCoord;
  int modifier = 1;

  if (dir == 'W' || dir == 'S') {
    modifier = -1;
  }

  return (wholeDegrees + (nmeaCoord - 100.0*wholeDegrees)/60.0) * modifier;
}

void compassMode() {
  dirLED_r = 0;
  dirLED_g = 0;
  dirLED_b = 255;
  compassDirection(compassReading);   
}

void compassCheck() {
  // if millis() or timer wraps around, we'll just reset it
  if (compassTimer > millis()) compassTimer = millis();

  // approximately every 10 seconds or so, update time
  if (millis() - compassTimer > 50) {
    /* Get a new sensor event */
    sensors_event_t event; 
    mag.getEvent(&event);

    float Pi = 3.14159;

    compassTimer = millis(); // reset the timer

    // Calculate the angle of the vector y,x
    float heading = (atan2(event.magnetic.y + magyOffset,event.magnetic.x + magxOffset) * 180) / Pi;

    // Normalize to 0-360
    if (heading < 0)
    {
      heading = 360 + heading;
    }
    compassReading = heading; 
  }  
}  

void compassDirection(int compassHeading) 
{
  //Serial.print("Compass Direction: ");
  //Serial.println(compassHeading);

  unsigned int ledDir = 2;
  int tempDir = 0;
  //Use this part of the code to determine which way you need to go.
  //Remember: this is not the direction you are heading, it is the direction to the destination (north = forward).

  if ((compassHeading > 348.75)||(compassHeading < 11.25)) {
      tempDir = topLED;
  }
  for(int i = 1; i < 16; i++){
    float pieSliceCenter = 45/2*i;
    float pieSliceMin = pieSliceCenter - 11.25;
    float pieSliceMax = pieSliceCenter + 11.25;
    if ((compassHeading >= pieSliceMin)&&(compassHeading < pieSliceMax)) {
      if (mode == 2 ) {
        tempDir = topLED - i;
      } 
      else {
        tempDir = topLED + i;
      }
    }
  }

  if (tempDir > 15) {
    ledDir = tempDir - 16;
  }

  else if (tempDir < 0) {
    ledDir = tempDir + 16;
  } 
  else {
    ledDir = tempDir;
  }

  if (mode == 1) {
    ledDir = ledDir + compassOffset;
    if (ledDir > 15) {
      ledDir = ledDir - 16;
    }
  } 
  else {
    ledDir = ledDir + compassOffset;
    if (ledDir > 15) {
      ledDir = ledDir - 16;
    }
  }

  if (lastDir != ledDir) {
    strip.setPixelColor(lastDir, strip.Color(0, 0, 0));
    strip.setPixelColor(ledDir, strip.Color(dirLED_r, dirLED_g, dirLED_b));
    strip.show();
    lastDir = ledDir;
  }
}

Follow the FLORA Pixel tutorial for more information about installing the library. Test out the pixel sample code to be sure your pixels are functioning properly.

Next, we need to test out the GPS module. Enter this code into the Arduino IDE and upload to your FLORA with the GPS module attached:

// test a passthru between USB and hardware serial
void setup() {
 while (!Serial);
 Serial.begin(9600);
 Serial1.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
 if (Serial.available()) {
 char c = Serial.read();
 Serial1.write(c);
 }
 if (Serial1.available()) {
 char c = Serial1.read();
 Serial.write(c);
 }
}

To make sure your GPS has a direct view of the sky, hang your watch out the window (but don’t let it fall out). I used a USB extension cable so I could have the watch out the window but still plugged in to the computer!

Open the Arduino IDE serial monitor. You can access the serial monitor by clicking the magnifying glass icon to the far right of the top toolbar. Make sure the dropdown in the lower right of the serial monitor is set to “9600 baud.” If you see a constant stream of GPS data, your GPS module is correctly installed.

The next step is to test out the compass module. With the LSM303DLHC library (https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_LSM303DLHC) installed in your Adafruit Arduino IDE, open up the magsensor example, or manually enter the code below and upload to your FLORA.

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
#include <Adafruit_LSM303_U.h>
/* Assign a unique ID to this sensor at the same time */
Adafruit_LSM303_Mag_Unified mag = Adafruit_LSM303_Mag_Unified(12345);
void setup(void)
{
 Serial.begin(9600);
 Serial.println("Magnetometer Test"); Serial.println("");
 /* Enable auto-gain */
 mag.enableAutoRange(true);
 /* Initialise the sensor */
 if(!mag.begin())
 {
 /* There was a problem detecting the LSM303 ...
 check your connections */
 Serial.println(
 "Ooops, no LSM303 detected ... Check your wiring!");
 while(1);
 }
}
void loop(void)
{
 /* Get a new sensor event */
 sensors_event_t event;
 mag.getEvent(&event);
 /* Display the results (magnetic vector values are in micro-Tesla (uT))
*/
 Serial.print("X: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.x);
 Serial.print(" ");
 Serial.print("Y: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.y);
 Serial.print(" ");
 Serial.print("Z: "); Serial.print(event.magnetic.z);
 Serial.print(" ");Serial.println("uT");
 delay(500);
}

Again, open the serial monitor and make sure you don’t get the “Ooops, no LSM303 detected … Check your wiring!” warning. You should see the X, Y, and Z values change as you move your NeoGeo watch around.

Now that you have confirmed all of the sensors are working, it is time to modify the main NeoGeo watch sketch. Find this part of the code near the top of the sketch:

//--------------------------------------------------|
//                    WAYPOINT                      |
//--------------------------------------------------|
//Please enter the latitude and longitude of your   |
//desired destination:                              |
  #define GEO_LAT                44.998531
  #define GEO_LON               -93.230322
//--------------------------------------------------|
//Your NeoPixel ring may not line up with ours.     |
//Enter which NeoPixel led is your top LED (0-15).  |
  #define TOP_LED                1
//--------------------------------------------------|
//Your compass module may not line up with ours.    |
//Once you run compass mode, compare to a separate  |
//compass (like one found on your smartphone).      |
//Point your TOP_LED north, then count clockwise    |
//how many LEDs away from TOP_LED the lit LED is    |
  #define LED_OFFSET             0
//--------------------------------------------------|

We like getLatLong.net for finding latitudes and longitudes online. Dump in a location, such as your home, so you will always be able to find your way home.

We also know that your NeoPixel Ring and compass sensor won't line up perfectly with our design (even our two prototypes didn't line up exactly). So, we made it easy for you to calibrate your watch. The first thing you want to do is calibrate your NeoPixel Ring. This is as simple as lighting up each pixel using the NeoPixel code and determining which pixel is your top pixel (from 0-15). In the code, it is set to pixel 1.

Next, you need to make sure your watch knows which way north is. This is really easy to do. When your watch is on, hold down the button until you get to mode 3, which is the compass mode. Then, using a compass on your smartphone, or the old fashioned kind, point your TOP_LED north. Count clockwise how many pixels away the lit LED is away from the TOP_LED. So, if you aim your TOP_LED north, and the LED 4 spots over (counting clockwise) is lit up, you would change the 0 in the LED_OFFSET code above and replace it with 4.

That's it, you should be ready to upload the code to your FLORA, and start using your NeoGeo Watch!

This guide was first published on Sep 25, 2013. It was last updated on Mar 26, 2024.

This page (The Code) was last updated on Mar 26, 2024.

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