Forerunner 170 - Recent Threads

RE: forerunner 170 - sleep stats not accurate

8313912 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:09:20 GMT

Mine has been super accurate ! Sometimes I wake up to drink some water for like 3 minutes and it shows up next morning! Maybe you should update/troubleshoot yours!

forerunner 170 - sleep stats not accurate

fzhcary306 — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:06:19 GMT

hi,

I have been using the watch to monitor my sleep.

I found the basic functionality of calc sleep duration isn't accurate.

- sometimes the sleep data is missing, it's not detected at all

- most of the time, it doesn't detect the whole length of the sleep. I have set the sleep time from 10:30 to 6:30, but sometimes, i sleep early, or sleep later than 6:30. it just don't track the whole period. there is one time, it has a 1 hour gap between 2-3am that i was sleeping, it shows awake.

So with this, my sleep score often track < 60.

please improve the algorithm. I am not looking for any advanced function like deep sleep, REM, etc. just the basic functinality please.

if you need anything, let me know.

thanks!

Will the case back with screws mean the battery can be serviced on newer models like 170?

6125703 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:01:47 GMT

I never saw photos of the case back for the 170 until recently, when someone mentioned they now appear to have a separate piece attached by screws. Older models had a monolithic plastic "tub" for a case.

Does this new design mean that there will be more official support for battery replacement service?

The new Fenix 9 also seems to have this design too. It will be interesting to see if all other new models start having this design, including future Enduro and Instinct generations.

Being able to physically replace the battery and seal the case again would be the first requirement. Another would be a supply chain to get equivalent quality replacement cells...

RE: forerunner 170 - sleep stats not accurate

Garmin - DK — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:27:41 GMT

Thanks for the post fzhcary306 ! Check out the following Support Center article which should be helpful for what you're experiencing: Troubleshooting Garmin Sleep Tracking

RE: Foerunner 170 - swimming laps stats not accurate

Garmin - DK — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:55:56 GMT

Manually marking each lap should not be required. To help the watch count your lengths, use a strong push off the wall and glide before your first stroke. Are you using intervals at all?

Foerunner 170 - swimming laps stats not accurate

fzhcary306 — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:00:17 GMT

hi,

I am using my 170 to track my swimming. I swim at a custom size pool, around 22 feet. I set the size. but the laps report is not accurate, sometimes is 0.

I read the article (tips for suing pool swim workouts ...) . still have a question. do you require user to press the lap button on each lap? that will be very inconvenient.

here are some data

1. :17.5 22 1:20

2 :24.1 0 0:00

3 :06 0 0:00

...

Thanks!

Forerunner 170 – course navigation

3562630 — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:33:47 GMT

When following an imported GPX course, can the FR170 display the same navigation data fields as a Garmin Instinct?

For example:

Distance remaining to the end
Distance/time to next point
Total course elevation profile during navigation
Remaining elevation gain

RE: Forerunner 170 – course navigation

3562630 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:25:21 GMT

That is a pity. I really liked these features. especially the total course elevation profile during navigation.

RE: Forerunner 170 – course navigation

DJGShef — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:05:41 GMT

I don't think it can - the Instinct could also show ETA.

Forerunner 170 Series - Software Version 9.21 - Live

Garmin-Kevin — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:58:03 GMT

Software version 9.21 is now available for Forerunner 170 Series.

You may manually download this software update once available by following the path below:

Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates

Change Log:

Fixes a potential issue with the display that could cause unexpected behavior and inconsistent gesture response.

Intensity minutes only count if an activity is being tracked

DJGShef — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:20:44 GMT

On my previous Garmin (Instinct) any periods above a certain heart rate level counted as moderate or vigorous activity, depending on predetermined levels.

This still applies for the FR170 but only when an activity is being tracked and not during normal use.

So, of I cycle home fast up a long hill but don't record it as a cycle ride, nothing is added to the total.

Is this right?

RE: Intensity minutes only count if an activity is being tracked

DJGShef — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:24:13 GMT

Thanks, I've checked this. It's the same, pretty much.

My HR stays low-ish during hiking, cycling and Pilates and rarely gets above 120 (I run at around 140-150, and my max is around 170 and my resting is low 40s).

🤔

RE: Intensity minutes only count if an activity is being tracked

6125703 — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:54:50 GMT

OP: take a look at the HR glance during this sort of physical activity. My guess is that it is going to show an inaccurately low HR value compared to what you get in activity mode for the same efforts.

RE: Intensity minutes only count if an activity is being tracked

6125703 — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:51:44 GMT

Isn't the OP saying that the same activity isn't counting minutes unless the watch is in the activity mode? Not that they are doing harder physical work.

RE: Intensity minutes only count if an activity is being tracked

8313912 — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:20:51 GMT

I guess your Vo2max is high which explains the high level activity needs to be considered as intense minutes.. some people get that by only doing normal walks 😅

RE: Beta 18.19

8313912 — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:16:33 GMT

I guess the problem is related to two possible own faults:

1-watch not being tightened well on the wrist causing cadence lock

2-Run started immediately without waiting for gps acquisition causing the pace fluctuating

otherwise it’s a beta version and could have some bugs..

Beta 18.19

9919012 — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 14:55:12 GMT

I have updated to beta version 18.19Which I found to be the value HR When I pressed the running activity mode, the pace fluctuated a lot, running at a pace of 9, but...HR I went to 154, which is only a 3-minute run.

No more daily workouts suggested, planned ones disappeared - how to get them back?

2887702 — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:44:29 GMT

Daily suggested workouts had planned runs for a week in advance, I was looking forward to this. Now eveey day states "No workout". How to get them back?

RE: No more daily workouts suggested, planned ones disappeared - how to get them back?

6651872 — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:45:59 GMT

This seems another bug. I am trying to find an answer as it seems Garmin does not pay attention to this issue. In my case, Runna is working fine, it schedules the workout and syncs it with Garmin Connect, Garmin Connect works fine and sends the workout to the scheduled folder of the watch (Garmin 970), but the watch does not show it as a suggested workout for the day as it used to do, so I now have to look for it in the scheduled folder. Any idea of what is going on here?

RE: Intensity minutes only count if an activity is being tracked

DJGShef — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:05:23 GMT

Just tracked Pilates using my watch and it registered.

19 min

Moderate

2 min

Vigorous

23 min

Total

I do a similar routine every morning, but don't track it. I get absolutely no intensity minutes at all. Same with bike rides except on rare occasions.

RE: Stroke and lap count is not working.

andrey_ — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:59:22 GMT

It’s pretty hard to give advice remotely. If possible, post a video of yourself swimming 50 meters—that might help me give you more specific recommendations.

In my case, the watch on my left wrist consistently gives the wrong distance, so for many years now, I’ve only worn it on my right wrist when swimming in the pool. Be sure to keep Auto Rest in the off position. Use the Back button to end rest intervals. Update your watch to the latest firmware if you haven’t already done so.

Stroke and lap count is not working.

1501559 — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 06:53:52 GMT

My forerunner 170 is not working well with stroke and lap count, since I bought it, I tried tightening it, reset it sensors by switching it off and on.

I swim for 30 minutes freestyle, all what I get is less than 90 strokes and distance of 280-300 meters.

Anyone facing similar issues?

Thanks

Omar

RE: Stroke and lap count is not working.

Garmin - DK — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:18:44 GMT

Thanks for the post, 1501559 . Please see the following Support Center article that covers pool swim workouts and tips to get the best accuracy: Tips For Using Pool Swim Workouts on a Garmin Watch

RE: Stroke and lap count is not working.

1501559 — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:24:43 GMT

Hi Andrey

Saying around 2:20 ,continuous swim, wall touch not flip turn, I don't pause the watch, tried both enable ad disabling auto rest.

Yes I do strong push off the wall every turn..

Tried right and left hand .

Tried to reset the watch. And updated/reset the watch.

None of the above worked

Thanks for the help

RE: Stroke and lap count is not working.

andrey_ — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:02:24 GMT

Hi Omar!

What is your typical pace per 100 meters?
Do you pause the watch manually when resting at the wall, or do you have Auto Rest enabled in the settings?
Do you do a strong leg push-off from the wall after every turn?