Connect 66i to Instinct Watch? ANT+?

This was a feature with the InReach Mini, and I believe the Explorer too. But when I try and connect the 66i to my Garmin Instinct watch it doesn't seem to do anything. Just says it can't find a compatible device. I checked the 66i specifications and it says Ant+ is in the device, so I can't see a good reason why this would not work. This page clearly says 66i and Instinct are compatible: https://www.thisisant.com/directory/gpsmap-66i

Am I doing something wrong, or is this just another feature that wasn't completed in time for the product launch? If so, Garmin folks, are you working on this along with the missing weather features?

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0 twolpert over 4 years ago

The watch pairing features are not included in the current firmware. That's all any of us non-Garmin folks can say for sure.

0 daniel over 4 years ago in reply to twolpert

Ok thanks. Awaiting some official word then...

At this point I feel like they should have been asking people to pay for the device in instalments and then they can have some more money every time they add the basic features that people expect and assume will be in the device.

Years ago no company would ever think about launching a device before it was feature complete. How did we get to the point where companies as big as Garmin can hold their heads up high while releasing products that clearly weren't ready. I'm less worried about niggling little bugs that get found when the product finally undergoes mass usage, but missing huge features like this and the weather function - selling points of InReach devices - is unacceptable.

0 IceBear over 4 years ago in reply to twolpert

We do have some official word: "GPSMAP 66i is also compatible with Garmin wearables like the fenix 5 Plus series, Instinct, Taxtix Charlie and MARQ Expedition for viewing messages, replying and initiating an SOS while the device is secured in a pack."

Full press release: newsroom.garmin.com/.../garmins-flagship-handheld-navigator-meets-global-communication-new-gpsmapr-66i

0 daniel over 4 years ago in reply to IceBear

Oh ok, thanks for sharing that.

Anytime you want to make your press release true then, Garmin, that's fine with us :)

0 evinrude1846 over 4 years ago

I too just encountered this issue as well. Hey Garmin, any idea when the firmware that implements this feature will be ready?

+1 twolpert over 4 years ago

Just released with 4.30. See the sticky post in this forum.