Fenix 5S/5 - 2.96 Beta Release

Hello Fenix 5S/5 users,

We have new beta software ready for your upcoming adventures! Please read the 'notes' and 'installation instructions' in the 'Updates and Downloads' page found in the links below for your specific device. We look forward to your feedback.

Fenix 5S:http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=11661
Fenix 5:http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=11663

Please send all bug reports to [email][email protected][/email], and indicate which model of the fēnix 5 series you have in the subject line.

Note: Please allow for the updates to propagate across all servers. There is no need to post that the link does not work. It will after a bit of patience. :)

2.96 Change Log Notes:

Added support for a new app, 'Boating'.
Improved the responsiveness of steps auto-goal.
Improved the power controls menu and introduced a ‘disabled’ state for connected features like Find My Phone, Music Controls etc. These applications will no longer disappear from the power controls menu, when the user has lost connection to the Garmin Connect Mobile App.
Improved the lap times accuracy reported by the Stopwatch.
Fixed a potential issue, where ‘Music Controls’ would intermittently lose connection with the smartphone.
Fixed an issue, where the device could crash when attempting navigation to a nearby location with all GPS enabled profiles disabled.
Fixed an issue, where the watch would incorrectly report that GPS signal was lost, while using UltraTrac.

Send all bug reports to [email][email protected][/email]

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Yep. That's what I plan on doing. It'd be nice if they noted the whole thing in the manual still

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Just installed on my F5 Sapphire. It went on without any problems and all of my data looks to be intact. So far I think the bluetooth connection to my iPhone 6s now has a far greater range. I'll try taking it for a run tomorrow to see how it fairs.

0 carl.andersson over 8 years ago

I still get them as well, but at a tiny bit more distance, which is around 30 or so feet. Difference now is, the time between disconnect/connect is more, so it's not annoying like it was on 2.95 and prior.

So before I picked up my F5 I was reading all the comments about the BT dropouts and thinking "oh no that's not a good sign - I didn't have issues like that with my Fenix 3".
But now I have my F5 I started experiencing the constant phone lost/phone connected alerts and it brought back memories of that happening all the time with my F3.
I "solved" it by turning off the alert with my F3 and then promptly forgot about the issue - I've now done the same with my F5, but I don't rely on notifications being sent to my watch and I suspect that if you do then this wouldn't be a good way to "fix" the problem.

0 tpajak over 8 years ago

Anyone experiencing WIFI connection issues? After updating to latest beta 2.96, I can't connect to my WIFI networks (BT on the phone is turned off just to be sure). So I can't sync my activities via WIFI. Should I configure WIFI networks again after upgrade (with Garmin Express)?

0 meste7 over 8 years ago

Anyone experiencing WIFI connection issues? After updating to latest beta 2.96, I can't connect to my WIFI networks (BT on the phone is turned off just to be sure). So I can't sync my activities via WIFI. Should I configure WIFI networks again after upgrade (with Garmin Express)?

yes, that should do it.

0 tpajak over 8 years ago

Unfortunately, I can’t connect WIFI anymore, I tried:
1. Update network password in Garmin express > sync > disconnect device and try connect to WIFI
2. Unlink the watch from Garmin express and link it again > sync > disconnect device and try connect to WIFI
3. Delete all WIFI networks and add them again > sync > disconnect device and try connect to WIFI

No luck, every time I try to connect to WIFI I immediately receive: “Connection error. Try again.”
This alert is so fast that I suspect that watch don’t even try to connect or search WIFI networks.

0 rickj2903 over 8 years ago

I have been asked by Garmin to update to Beta 2.95 to see if it helps with the Altimeter variances that I have been experiencing, however i am not getting the option to download this software through Garmin Express. Could this be because I am using a MAC? I have read the install instructions and the system requirements and they only mention Windows PC's.

0 jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

For beta releases (like 2.95 and now 2.96), you have to download a zip file and copy some files to the watch yourself. There's a sticky here with the details.

If a release ends in something other than a 0 (like 2.95), it's a beta, if it's 0 (like 2.90) then it's production and will come by way of express or OTA.

0 tpajak over 8 years ago

Finally, WIFI is working again. Just to let you know:
1. Disconnect from Garmin Express
2. Unpair device from Garmin Express
3. Kill Garmin express process (Windows Process Manager)
4. Reboot F5 (soft rebook - hold few seconds flash button)
5. Connect device via USB and link f5 to Garmin Express
6. Update Wi-Fi passwords in GExpress
7. Sync GExpress and F5

and now WIFI is working. uff ;)

0 rickj2903 over 8 years ago

For beta releases (like 2.95 and now 2.96), you have to download a zip file and copy some files to the watch yourself. There's a sticky here with the details.

If a release ends in something other than a 0 (like 2.95), it's a beta, if it's 0 (like 2.90) then it's production and will come by way of express or OTA.

Thanks jim_m I didn't realise that I had to drop the files directly into the watch, i've managed to do it now thanks to you, much appreciated.;)