Related
Options

Fenix 7 Series - software version 8.16 - Public Beta

Garmin_ODQA
over 3 years ago

Hello Fēnix 7 and Epix customers,

The next public beta version is now available for your watches!

If you’ve participated in the Beta Program with previous Fēnix product lines, you’ll notice a few changes from how we have managed this in the past. And further down the line, we’ll have some additional improvements to the Beta Program (more on that later!) Notably, the fēnix 7/Epix watches use one single update file to update system software and peripheral updates (GPS version, Wireless version, etc.) So you no longer need to install multiple update files. Additionally, this forum post is now the primary resource for reading the change log notes – they are not available on another webpage. (There will be more options for viewing change logs after we implement the additional improvements to our beta program.)

The links to download the software update are listed below. Select the link specific to your watch model: fēnix 7X, fēnix 7, or fēnix 7S. Please note that your computer will download a .zip file when you open this link.

  • This zip contains the software update and instructions for installation in the 'Read Me.txt' file. We have also provided a folder with the files necessary for backdating software, and instructions for this process if you choose to do so. Remember, backdating software will reset all settings.
  • Please note: the included secure_config.gcd file should also be installed to your watch. This file will enable a few "beta features." For example, it will provide you with the option to reboot your watch (turn off and automatically turn back on). It will also automatically generate some files if you encounter certain issues. In short, if you are using beta software, you should also always have this file installed: it will make your use of the watch easier, and make it easier for you to report issues in software.
  • Please email the Garmin Outdoor Quality Team if you find issues in software after installing this update: [email protected]

Use these links to download the zip for your watch to update to the latest Beta software:

Change log for version 8.16 (changes since v8.15):

  • Added press and hold functionality to 2 and 3 data field watch face data fields.
  • Fixed issue which could cause sleep, stress, and body battery to stop working after a software update.
  • Fixed potential issue causing 0 recorded distance for Pool Swim activities.
  • Fixed potential lockup after completing a Daily Suggested Workout or Garmin Coach workout.
  • Fixed issue with HRV not showing up in a Health Snapshot.
  • Fixed issues with Connect IQ watch face low power transition.
  • Fixed potential issue with active calories value.
  • Fixed potential issue with green contour drawing.
  • Fixed issues with the Fish activity.
  • Fixed potential issue where Ascent and Descent data fields could overlap other data fields.
  • Fixed issue with Connect IQ system 5 drag/flick support.
  • Fixed UI issue with sunrise/sunset watch face data field.
  • Fixed Golf issues with downloaded Course maps.
  • Fixed issue where custom Power Mode profile Display settings would not work in activity.
  • Fixed potential UI color issue on the keyboard.
  • Fixed artifacts during the transition to the workout video page in a Strength workout.
  • Fixed issue where Connect IQ apps were not reloading after being updated.
  • Fixed UI issue with Adventure Race alert names.
  • Fixed potential shutdown on the sensor's About page.
  • Fixed clipped text on sets page in a Strength workout.
  • Fixed potential UI issue on Acclimation post activity summary page.
  • Removed haptic feedback for watch face data fields that do not launch anything (i.e. "fenix" logo.)
  • Updated language translations.

Instructions for updating software:

  • Download the .zip specific to your watch, using the links above.
  • Connect the watch to your computer.
  • Following the included 'Read Me.txt' file, install the included gupdate.gsp file to the Primary\Garmin folder on your watch.
  • Disconnect the watch from the computer and it will prompt you to update software.

After updating, your watch will be running the following software versions. These can be confirmed on the Menu – System – About pages.

  • Primary Software Version: 8.16
    • This is the number on the very first About page. This number should always match the “Host” version number written on the 5th About page.
  • GPS: 2.32
  • Wireless: 24.61
  • Sensor Hub: 18.02
  • Touch Screen: 3.02

Thanks,
Mel
Garmin Outdoor Quality Team

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to RAYLIOTTA

    Lol you suffered for 3 days. The rest of us since February haha

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Something I've seen since launch and is still present is the workout countdowns notifications not working properly for either time or distance-based intervals.

    All my previous watches (FR630/F5X/F5X+) have had very predictable countdown sounds similar to a *5* *4* *3* *2* *1* *GO* cadence. Specifically related to time-based intervals these sounds lined up with the seconds displayed on my watch.


    This is now quite irregular, perhaps as a *5* *4* *3* *2* *1*GO* ('go' chirp practically as part of the previous sound), *5* *4* *3* *2* *1*          *GO* (extra time between final two sounds), or even *5* *4* *3* *2* *GO* (skipping the final countdown sound before the 'go' signal).

    Even on the occasions when the sounds are spaced out correctly for time-based intervals they don't sync up with the countdown timer on the watch.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 5050464

    I’m using hrm pro but don’t see same issue. 
    also stryd and hrm pro connected the whole time with runs since upgrading to 8.16

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to m99fighter

    same for me, checked yesterday, and the graph was apparently matching the numbers. Is it a one time thing ? or happening on all exercises ?

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Klick

    For me it's happening for most / all runs - it is surely not a one-time issue. 

    I'm also using HRM-PRO, however, I doubt this has much to do with it since the two charts show running data for the same run, on the same watch, after the run has been finished. Hence, wherever the data came from in the frist place (HRM-PRO or other) I guess when it comes to these two after-the-run-charts, it shouldn't matter.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 5050464

    Do you have different generic and run zones or same one? If it's same it works fine.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to MULK

    I'm not sure I know what is meant by "generic" zones but maybe it's meant like this:

    In the settings there is something for heartrate and below that there are (among other items) also: "zones" and "sport-heartrate". (I'm translating from the German version of the fenix menu - hope this works.)

    "zones" is set to %LSHF - and I guess this is what is meant by generic zoines.
    Under "sport-heartrate" I have running and therein also zones again, which are also set to %LSHF.

    So in a nutshell: as far as I can see it's all set to percentage of lactat-threshold.

    Having said that ... even if it was not set to the same method (%LSHF in my case) I would still expect the watch to use one and the same values for HR-zones consistently for one activity.(instead of different values for different charts of the same activity).

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 5050464

    I do agree here. It shall be the same.

    In my case I'm using HR zones based on Max Heartrate as a standard one. But for RUN I put different zones using % of Lactylate Threshold. It means that for everything there is one set of zones, and for run only there is differently set of zones.

    Seems like 1 graph showing those standard (default) zones and another showing zones that I put specifically for run exercises. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to MULK

    And is it enough to raise that issue here or is there anything else I can do to bring it to Garmins attention?

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    My F7 altimeter is shifting almost every night at the same time. Starts raising at 1:22 and stop at 1:30.

    Next strange thing, that if I looked at altitude chart today in the morning, the shift was displayed from 1:23 to 1:31 but now in the afternoon it's showed from 1:22 to 1:30. But the minute doesn't matter, the altimeter shift is strange.

    And it was even on previous beta and maybe on 7.35 too.