GPS SW Update to 2.70

You just made me go outside and test it. No problems here, locked in a few seconds. I am using GPS + GLONASS

The long lock times are occasional, though I regularly observe them after most firmware updates. The delays eventually fade away. I always take care to reboot the device after the update, and to download a fresh EPO update through Garmin Express, but is rarely helps.

This issue was reported also by other users since the Instinct fw v7.20, for example in this thread. It does not seem to be consistent - some users experience it regularly, others don't. However, it does not look like the GPS fw v2.70 helped to fix it. As I wrote, not too bad, since the delay eventually fades away. Today, I simply know there is a possibility that after a firmware update I need to count with some extra time for the GPS lock, before I start the activity.

I didn't seem to have any ill effects from the update.  I was just curious what was in the update.  Garmin is usually pretty good about posting the change logs here.

As much as I love my Garmin Instinct, it's performance in key areas is underwhelming mostly the GPS accuracy in comparison to other GPS watches, and the Altimeter/Barometer sensor placement issues.

I think we all know about the limitations of GPS, but it's the instincts underperformance compared to other GPS watches in accuracy and recorded distance that is disappointing. My experience is that the Instinct although sometimes offset, does record decent GPS tracks and keep distance well with my Ambit3 in good GPS conditions, however in more challenging areas such as under tree cover, it under records significantly. 

I'm hoping that one of these updates addresses to GPS accuracy and under-recording of distance that is well documented across many users on the Garmin forums as well as in reviews. Although I fear the underwhelming results are more down to the GPS antenna than anything that is fixable. 

I have collected a few examples from reviewers below.

"I found that the Instinct’s GPS performance in that test was mediocre. In easy GPS reception conditions it was good but when buildings or trees were involved the GPS performance slipped notably and the overall score was 65% and a good Garmin on a good day would normally give up to 79%, with other, non-Garmins scoring even higher."

"So if you are looking for a precision navigation device then the Instinct is NOT for you. However, it will be ‘broadly alright’ for most people’s casual hiking and adventure needs."

the5krunner.com/.../

"Though, at the beginning there’s clearly some mis-alignment coming from the Garmin Instinct"

"A) Garmin Instinct: Winner of the most suck – it’s drawing mountains in my buildings"
www.dcrainmaker.com/.../polar-grit-x-gps-watch-review.html

Example of under-recording distance.

media.dcrainmaker.com/.../image_thumb-32.png

"In the case of the Instinct Solar, I’ve actually seen a slight increase in accuracy compared to my original Instinct. I was using that quite a bit in April & May for comparisons, and it struggled more than I liked in scenarios where other watches didn’t. It was on an older GPS chipset which while it did well in general, I didn’t see that as much recently."

www.dcrainmaker.com/.../garmin-instinct-solar-review-whats-new-different.html

www.dcrainmaker.com/.../garmin-instinct-solar-review-whats-new-different.html

I believe that the Instinct is on par with every other device with the same gps chipset. Not perfect, but pretty good. It is a complicated subject and depends on many factors. Sometimes even the map is not accurate. It has happened to me to walk by the sea and then on the map I appear to walk on the sea.. But when I changed the map to something else (I think sattelite) the track was right by the sea.. So to my usage I think the gps is accurate enough. What suprises me is that they kept the same flawed barometer design to the new model (on the other hand it may be good for us because there will be more chances to be improved through a software update which will come to the old model too)

I tried in today's run if anything has changed with the 2.70 update.

It does not seem so.

Instinct is still cutting short by about 1.5% on open sky and about 3% under tree cover.

it seems that you have to use a calibrated footpod to get accurate running distance with Instinct.

Garmin doesn't seem to care that the Instinct, marketed as a rugged outdoors and navigational GPS watch, has sub standard GPS accuracy, and a Baro/Alti that is crippled by design flaws, and easily beaten by sweat.

The more time you spend in less than optimal conditions, the worse the watch under records distance.  Yes, everyone is aware of GPS limitations, but other watches include Garmin and other brands perform better. No excuses. 

After all the updates, this review still rings true.

"Garmin Instinct Review THE GPS Summary: After finally completing my formal test I found that the Instinct’s GPS performance in that test was mediocre. In easy GPS reception conditions it was good but when buildings or trees were involved the GPS performance slipped notably and the overall score was 65% and a good Garmin on a good day would normally give up to 79%, with other, non-Garmins scoring even higher. So here we are typically talking about positional accuracy often being more than 5m away from where it should be and some times a lot further away. In more day-to-day, ad hoc usage my perception was that the Instinct was generally better than my formal test suggested.

This general level of accuracy is fine for seeing a nice post-hike track of where you have been. However the Garmin Instinct is a navigation device and I certainly noticed that sometimes it didn’t quite recognise that I’d visited Waypoints when a pre-determined course had me set to go to them and when I knew, for sure, I had been to the exact spot. So if you are looking for a precision navigation device then the Instinct is NOT for you. However, it will be ‘broadly alright’ for most people’s casual hiking and adventure needs."

the5krunner.com/.../

So likely its an unfixable problem, antenna design/placement, and/or Chipset.

I tried in today's run if anything has changed with the 2.70 update.

It does not seem so.

Instinct is still cutting short by about 1.5% on open sky and about 3% under tree cover.

it seems that you have to use a calibrated footpad to get accurate running distance with Instinct.