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Current recommended F5 firmware version

occamsrazorben
over 8 years ago
Hi,

I should receive my F5 tomorrow... Have been reading all the various threads detailing a bunch of issues.
So I was just wondering which firmware version people would recommend I start with.

Normally I would always go straight to the latest which currently is 4.10 I believe.... is that what you would suggest?

Is there anything else specific I need to do at the start that may not be in the setup guide?

In case relevant I will be using it synced to an iPhone 5S, and connected to a Scosche Rhythm HRM (Bluetooth + ANT). For running indoors and outside, some cycling, and gym use.

I also have an Edge 520 that is currently syncing with the iPhone's Garmin Connect and Garmin Express. Do I need to remove it first? (PS - I realise there is no true 2-way syncing between devices).

Thanks
  • 0 over 8 years ago
    What issues are you concerned about with 4.10? I personally can't see any reason to not update to 4.10. Best to update using Garmin Express on PC/Mac for a 'swift' experience (it takes forever for the software updates to download via BLE from the Garmin Connect Mobile app). One key reason to update to the latest software is that the CIQ version on the watch is then aligned with the latest developer version of CIQ that the apps/widgets/watch faces will be using; if you stay on an older watch software version, the newer/updated CIQ apps may not work properly.

    Just follow the start-up guide but also do have a look at the manual; there's a lot in there and may stop you coming back the forum to ask a question where the response will be "RTFM" http://static.garmin.com/pumac/fenix5S_OM_EN.pdf

    I have an iPhone SE, so very similar to the 5S you have, and everything has worked fine for me with the Garmin Connect Mobile app. Just be aware that at present, when you sync with Connect, the device settings and alarms in Garmin Connect (and in the app) will overwrite those same settings/alarms you might have manually entered on the watch; this is (really, really, super) annoying, but it's just the way it is at present (Garmin may 'fix' a 2 way sync between the watch and Connect in due course..... but don't hold your breath). I have a scosche rhythm+ and you can pair to it either as an ANT+ or BLE sensor; I'd suggest sticking with ANT+ so that your phone can still talk to the Scosche on the single BLE channel (I'm sure you are aware that multiple devices can connect to one sensor via ANT+, but only one device can connect to a BLE sensor at a time. A stupid limitation of BLE sensors IMO, but that's just the way it is and nothing to do with Garmin).

    With regards the 520, there no need to remove it. The Garmin Connect Mobile app should ask if you want the Fenix 5 to be your primary activity tracking device, which should then mean that it defaults to using the Fenix 5 data if there is duplication. So if you record a bike activity on both the Fenix 5 and 520, the calories are only counted for the Fenix 5 activity; this is how I have observed things working when I record runs/rides/gym sessions on both my Fenix 5 and Fenix 3 at the same time. What won't happen is the activities recorded on one device being transferred/synced to the other device; which makes sense to me, as I'd want to keep the unique data each device has recorded if I use both to record the same activity.
  • 0 over 8 years ago
    Thank you for your exceedingly helpful answer....

    What issues are you concerned about with 4.10? I personally can't see any reason to not update to 4.10. Best to update using Garmin Express on PC/Mac for a 'swift' experience (it takes forever for the software updates to download via BLE from the Garmin Connect Mobile app). One key reason to update to the latest software is that the CIQ version on the watch is then aligned with the latest developer version of CIQ that the apps/widgets/watch faces will be using; if you stay on an older watch software version, the newer/updated CIQ apps may not work properly.


    No issues in particular, was just wondering if anyone had a particular reason to say "don't update it yet". Good point re: CIQ version.

    I have an iPhone SE, so very similar to the 5S you have, and everything has worked fine for me with the Garmin Connect Mobile app. Just be aware that at present, when you sync with Connect, the device settings and alarms in Garmin Connect (and in the app) will overwrite those same settings/alarms you might have manually entered on the watch; this is (really, really, super) annoying, but it's just the way it is at present (Garmin may 'fix' a 2 way sync between the watch and Connect in due course..... but don't hold your breath).


    I'd been reading the thread on alarms but didn't realise it affected all settings. That's a really bad glitch that Garmin needs to sort out ASAP... So for initial setup would you advise to set up as much as possible from the Garmin Connect app? the website connect.garmin.com? ...before making settings on the watch?

    I have a scosche rhythm+ and you can pair to it either as an ANT+ or BLE sensor; I'd suggest sticking with ANT+ so that your phone can still talk to the Scosche on the single BLE channel (I'm sure you are aware that multiple devices can connect to one sensor via ANT+, but only one device can connect to a BLE sensor at a time. A stupid limitation of BLE sensors IMO, but that's just the way it is and nothing to do with Garmin).


    That's interesting... I currently use the Scosche with my iPhone and various apps on it such as Strava, Motifit, etc. One thing I was thinking was to have the Scosche conencted to both the iPhone and Fenix, so e.g. on a treadmill I would record with the Fenix cbut have the HR displayed larger on the iPhone. So I think I could:

    Scosche > ANT HR> Fenix
    Scosche > BLE HR > iPhone
    Fenix > BLE sync > iPhone
    iPhone > BLE audio > Bluetooth headphones

    .... and it should all work ok?

    IThe Garmin Connect Mobile app should ask if you want the Fenix 5 to be your primary activity tracking device, which should then mean that it defaults to using the Fenix 5 data if there is duplication. So if you record a bike activity on both the Fenix 5 and 520, the calories are only counted for the Fenix 5 activity; this is how I have observed things working when I record runs/rides/gym sessions on both my Fenix 5 and Fenix 3 at the same time.


    Good to know, thanks, I will do it that way also.

    What won't happen is the activities recorded on one device being transferred/synced to the other device; which makes sense to me, as I'd want to keep the unique data each device has recorded if I use both to record the same activity.



    I was aware of that issue having read the other threads on the matter, and have to disagree with that, I very much would like to see all activities synced both ways to both devices.... but that's a discussion for another thread.

    Thanks you again for the advice, much appreciated!
  • 0 over 8 years ago
    I'd been reading the thread on alarms but didn't realise it affected all settings.

    It's not all of the possible watch settings, but just those that are listed under 'Device Settings' in Garmin Connect (including Alarms). This issue has always been there, but didn't bother me much on the Fenix 3 as the list of settings in Garmin Connect for the Fenix 3 was very short (just things like 12/24 hrs format and didn't include alarms); with the Fenix 5 the list of settings in Garmin Connect has been significantly increased and includes alarms. Garmin probably included what were assessed as the most commonly used settings; hence it being super annoying as this one way sync purposefully targets the most important settings and alarms (the alarms is beyond annoying.....there are words, but I'd get in trouble with the moderators...).

    That's interesting... I currently use the Scosche with my iPhone and various apps on it such as Strava, Motifit, etc. One thing I was thinking was to have the Scosche conencted to both the iPhone and Fenix, so e.g. on a treadmill I would record with the Fenix cbut have the HR displayed larger on the iPhone. So I think I could:

    Scosche > ANT HR> Fenix
    Scosche > BLE HR > iPhone
    Fenix > BLE sync > iPhone
    iPhone > BLE audio > Bluetooth headphones

    .... and it should all work ok?

    Yes, that setup should work just fine.

    I was aware of that issue having read the other threads on the matter, and have to disagree with that, I very much would like to see all activities synced both ways to both devices.... but that's a discussion for another thread.

    We'll have to agree to disagree there; I'd be livid if I'd recorded an activity on both my Fenix 5 and Fenix 3, then GC 'decided' to replace the activity data on my Fenix 3 with the activity data from my Fenix 5. I'm entirely happy with the way it is now. All that said, what does sync across all devices is daily activity tracking stats; things like daily steps, stairs climbed, intensity minutes and calories. This is what the Garmin TrueUp feature implemented https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/fitness/garmin-connect-updates/ . So I'm entirely happy with what TrueUp does, I just wouldn't want to see the recorded activities synced between devices for the reason I've described.
  • 0 over 8 years ago
    It's not all of the possible watch settings, but just those that are listed under 'Device Settings' in Garmin Connect (including Alarms). This issue has always been there, but didn't bother me much on the Fenix 3 as the list of settings in Garmin Connect for the Fenix 3 was very short (just things like 12/24 hrs format and didn't include alarms); with the Fenix 5 the list of settings in Garmin Connect has been significantly increased and includes alarms. Garmin probably included what were assessed as the most commonly used settings; hence it being super annoying as this one way sync purposefully targets the most important settings and alarms (the alarms is beyond annoying.....there are words, but I'd get in trouble with the moderators...).


    I'm not planning to use alarms much, but I can see that would be very annoying. It also seems like it ought to be a pretty easy fix from their side, but I've noticed there's been a bunch of betas that haven't changed it, which is less than impressive.

    Yes, that setup should work just fine.


    Excellent.

    We'll have to agree to disagree there; I'd be livid if I'd recorded an activity on both my Fenix 5 and Fenix 3, then GC 'decided' to replace the activity data on my Fenix 3 with the activity data from my Fenix 5. I'm entirely happy with the way it is now.


    OK I see where you are coming from. I hadn't considered the usage scenario of recording the same activity on two devices. I was thinking more about when you might record a bike ride only an Edge device but want that activity to appear also on your Fenix afterwards, and be included in all the statistics including training effect etc.

    All that said, what does sync across all devices is daily activity tracking stats; things like daily steps, stairs climbed, intensity minutes and calories. This is what the Garmin TrueUp feature implemented https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/fitness/garmin-connect-updates/ . So I'm entirely happy with what TrueUp does, I just wouldn't want to see the recorded activities synced between devices for the reason I've described.


    Sure. But for example in the usage scenario I outline above the biking activity wouldn't be included in any of the stats on the Fenix..... unless I'm mistaken.

    In any case lots for me to learn once I get the watch and this is a minor detail (for me, I hope).