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Fenix 6 Series - 18.80 Public Beta

Garmin_ODQA
over 3 years ago

Hello Fenix 6 customers,

Our next beta version for the Fenix 6 series is now available! Yes, this is a public beta not a public release candidate. Yes, we're aware that it says 18.80 Grin.

If you installed 18.79 yesterday before we pulled it down, there was an issue discovered with the app list and certain activities being removed. This has been fixed in 18.80. If you were affected by this bug, you will need to restore defaults on your watch (Menu > System > Reset > Reset Default Settings) before installing 18.80 in the link below.

Please ensure that you are downloading the correct beta software for your specific device.

Instructions for installation are available below the change log on each of the above pages.

18.80 Change Log Notes:

  • Added first-time tip to Adventure Racing.
  • Removed ability to add Connect IQ data fields to Adventure Racing.
  • Fixed issue where Pulse Ox setting may inadvertently be adjusted.
  • Other minor improvements and bug fixes.

Current beta peripheral software version numbers below. New versions are indicated in red.

GPS: 5.30
Sensor Hub: 8.00
ANT/BLE/BT (Pro models): 6.11
ANT/BLE (non-Pro models): 3.00
Wi-Fi (Pro models only): 2.60

Please note, the beta updates released on these forums are not compatible for APAC region devices.

Please send all bug reports to [email protected], and indicate which model of the Fenix 6 Series you have in the subject line.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I'm a little late to the party (got my Fenix 6 Pro yesterday) and won't be installing betas just yet, but thank you for the continued development, and I'm following the experiences of others with interest.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to PhilManning

    From a comment to the DCRainmaker review of the OH1 there is this interesting observation....

    Review here - https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/03/polar-oh1-plus-optical-hr-sensor-in-depth-review.html

    I think that some devices are fussy about whether you use ANT+ or Bluetooth when it comes to certain features such as R-R or HRV data and assessment of performance from that data, which might only be supported by one connection type, but not both.

    Since Garmin owns ANT+ I am not surprised that they might favour that connection type. Even Stryd recommends ANT+ for connection to Garmin watches and actively discourages use of Bluetooth, even though it is supported by Stryd and Garmin.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to eezytiger

    Very weird! Especially that I have been only using bluetooth for the last year and my VO2 Max and LT have both changed in that time! but great find there :) I wonder if the update forces this now... I just found ANT+ so flaky - works ok if worn on the same arm as watch but drops out when on opposite arm to the watch.... I will continue with ANT+ in that case as using the wrist based HR is a no for training... I would love for Garmin to adopt teh Polar HR technology, the Vantage V was the most accurate wrist based HR I've ever experienced, the software just wasn't at Garmin's level though!

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I'm not sure if it's 18.80 or just my Wahoo Tickr X and Wahoo Tickr (seems odd that it's both HRM's), but they've been spiking all over the place during runs, rides and cardio since I upgraded to 18.80.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to AryehZev

    I’ve also had this but I think it’s to do with the amount of time you’re wearing the watch before going to bed/sleep - not long enough.  I found I would always have sleep data show up in the connect app on the second day.  Always seems to happen even if I’m not running beta software.  My forerunner uses regular release firmware and does the same thing if I swap between that and my Fenix 6X.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to boddijc

    Just a note - I had endless issues with my Tickr-X. exhibiting these kind of issues,  I think I am on my 4th replacement, strap and module.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to pietero

    Yes, I had my X replaced on November last year by Wahoo.

    I just feel it's too much of a coincidence that the same thing is happening to my Tickr and my Tickr X though. Both batteries are fine (one was replaced about 3 weeks ago). 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to boddijc

    I have multiple TickR and TickR X straps, some bought and some warranty replacements. I have found that once the original batteries are spent the subsequent replacements last a much shorter time - possibly as little as a month or maybe three.

    When the batteries are replaced they read 3.2V. When the strap starts to misbehave the voltage is down to 2.8 ish. It took a while to realise that battery voltage was the problem, but I became sick of the frequent errors and repeated battery (and strap) replacements.

    Now I use an HRM-PRO.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to eezytiger

    Funny, I've switched to Wahoo for exactly the problems you mentioned with Garmin straps after battery changes. My Tickr X is on its second battery change. The first change lasted as long as the original that came with it. Regardless of make, they're throwaway tech.

    Either way though, I don't believe the batteries/straps are an issue as they were both working fine before the 18.80 update. I might revert back to the previous update and see if that fixes the issue. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Installed 18.8 and noticed that my intensity minutes are a fraction of what I use to get for similar effort.  For example, in an hour swim, I would typically get ~90 intensity minutes.  Now, for that same hour swim, I only get ~20 intensity minutes.  Any one else experiencing this?