Is the FR 970 a Down-Grade from the 265?

5391515 13 days ago

I purchased my wife a FR 970 about 16 hours ago (less than one day old), but wow. I am thinking the 970 might have been a mistake unless Garmin corrects the Firmware. ( I assume issues are firmware, but could be wrong )

My wife has been using her 265 for about 4 months without any issues. I got a Fenix 8 a couple of months ago, and she really wanted the flashlight, the full map and she like looks for the FR 970 over the Fenix 8. The FR970 does look really good with her smaller arms.

The Features on the FR970 Rival my Fenix 8, They appear on paper to be awesome, but the 265 works. Paper stats are great, but function is more important. I am considering returning it and just keeping the 265. Or maybe going on up to the Fenix 8, she loves the mapping, light, the 2 reasons for the update, but the bugs are making us reconsider. Wait for Fix's or return, it is a hard call.

Current issues include the following list. I have a thread open for each

1. Audio Prompts do not work for HR every 1 min, ( Watch settings, Focus mode, Activities, voice alerts, HR ON (green) type HR, freq 1 min)

2. Abnormal HR Low threshold, It is saying HR dropped below 110, this is very odd because the Highest value which can be set for LOW HR threshold is 60.

3. Abnormal HR alerts go off , even if they are turned off in Connect.

Yes, the watch has been synced several times

I have used Garmin products for years; this is the first time I have seen issues like this.

Top Replies

Mahdi 13 days ago +1

On the basics, probably still a big downgrade. HR and GPS are bread and butter in Garmin system and I have observed many issues too. It is just sad (owner of 935, 945, 965, instinct, Felix 5 among other…

All Replies

0 Mahdi 13 days ago

On the basics, probably still a big downgrade. HR and GPS are bread and butter in Garmin system and I have observed many issues too. It is just sad (owner of 935, 945, 965, instinct, Felix 5 among other things.) At this point it should be called 970gate

0 5391515 12 days ago in reply to Mahdi

I wonder if a Beta will fix this? I would go to the Fenix 8, but after I updated my Fenix 8 is has the same issues with Voice/Audio Prompts. I guess, I can dig out a Fenix 6 for me that has a sticky button and leave the $1000.00+ watch on the shelf. I really can not see Garmin letting this slide. its a major issue. we will see. I just need to decide whether to return the 970 or keep it. I consider upgrading it to a Fenix 8, which will work if I do not allow it to update the firmware. Not sure on how to stop upgrade.

0 svaza 12 days ago

I own a FR970 and i dont have any issues you mentioned

0 5391515 12 days ago in reply to svaza

which firmware version? i was able to resolve #2 and #3 by setting the Abnormal thresholds on the watch. After sitting on the watch, they seem to be sticking. But the Voice Prompts is one of the most important features needed.

0 9920059 12 days ago

1. Audio Prompts do not work for HR every 1 min, ( Watch settings, Focus mode, Activities, voice alerts, HR ON (green) type HR, freq 1 min) t ---> this issue is from firmware of 12.70.

my fr570 has the same issue after upgrading from 6.18 to 12.70.

If you could contact Garmin service to help you downgrade to 6.18, this issue should be resolved.

see my post here: FR570 - 12.70 - Focus Mode - Activity - Voice Alert - Heart Rate Alert - Does not work - Forerunner 570 - Running/Multisport - Garmin Forums

0 rwhillrunner 12 days ago

Unfortunately, it sounds like you're getting unlucky. I upgraded from the 255 to the 970 and consider it a huge upgrade. However, I don't have any of the issues you mention. I wonder if a factory reset followed by ensuring all software/firmware is up to date might fix it. Otherwise, I'd contact Garmin about these issues because something definitely isn't right.

0 Lewis 11 days ago

sync and backup with garmin connect then do a reset to defaults + deleting all data, then pair again the new watch with garmin connect, normally its solves issues, if doesnt, you can try "Reinstall Software" from system menu - about - click 8 times the light buttion and choose reinstall firmware, if not, the best is to downgrade to the old firmware, going to beta forum and finding the file there, downloading, passing it to the main folder of the watch throught cable, rebooting the watch and it will ask you to install the old firmware

0 5391515 10 days ago in reply to rwhillrunner

I can try factory reset, but the watch is only 2 1/2 days old now,