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Firmware v5.20 user discussion / feedback

The release announcement for firmware version 5.20 certainly makes this sound like a compelling update:

Changes made from version 4.70 to 5.20:

Added support for Connect IQ 1.3.0 SDK. See the Connect IQ 1.3.0 SDK for a list of new features.
Added support for broadcasting optical heart rate over ANT to other devices during an activity.
Added support for phone apps to subscribe for more frequent data updates.
Added support for Apple Media Service - users can now control any active music player, e.g. Spotify, as well as volume (requires iOS 8.0 and higher).
Fixed an issue in which text on some Connect IQ watch faces may not display correctly.
Several improvements to optical heart rate.
Various bug fixes and stability improvements.

I'd managed to hold off updating to firmware v4.70 (from v4.60) for many weeks – after transferring the firmware file to my watch but dismissed the update manually – after seeing all the reports of issues, especially around garbled notifications, but the other night the watch somehow got updated to v4.70 anyway. I might as well take the leap and go to v5.20, now that it appears in Garmin Express for me several minutes ago.

Who else is game? :)

0 francrubio over 8 years ago

Today i run 5x1000m in a track. I tried to run in the inside of the track the entire run.
Average pace, was fine, just 1 or 2 seconds faster than the final avg lap pace.
And just 1 lap , was 8 or 10 meters longer compared to the track meassurement.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1305661209

0 FlipStone over 8 years ago

Well, after seeing the difference in my pace graph between 5.20 and 5.07b I decided to revert back to 5.20 afterall. Especially as I plan on doing lots of interval training the next weeks. On average the pace works out, but it indeed fluctuates a lot:

5.20:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1303106764

5.07b:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1291524688

As you can see the 5.20 is way more spikey, ups and downs, etc. Very strange, looks as if no averaging is done at all or something and pace is also recorded per 1 second or so. (And with gps not being precise enough that would cause these fluctuations). Luckily 5.07b works great. Hope they fix this soon.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

"best pace" affected, too

I don't use instant pace, and the lap pace is working fine.

Check your "best pace" figures on Garmin Connect, they are affected by the erratic measurements, too. On my last 5 km run with relatively steady 5:30/km lap paces, I got reported a best pace of 3:00/km. Which did not occur on a downhill section.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

My heart rate was 45 all day. I think I'm dying.

I rolled back to 5.07 yesterday. My heart rate is fluctuating between 35 and 45 currently. Will have to go back to 4.70, apparently.

0 gpb11 over 8 years ago

I can't think of a practical use case for that feature for myself either

Displaying HR on a cycling computer would be my main use case.

I have an Bontrager Trip300 on my hybrid bike, it's ANT+ compatible and displays speed/cadence from the sensors on the bike, and can also display HR from an ANT+ source. With this feature on the 235 I can potentially record a cycling activity on the watch and still get to see my HR without looking at my wrist.

0 KR17 over 8 years ago

Did anyone download (and keep) any betas which would have had the backout file as the 4.6 release?
There are different levels of going to sh1t, but it appears that 4.7 was one of the higher levels and 4.6 was one of the better updates, depending on how you measure it (24/7 HRM went to sh1t on the first update and we still haven't got the much requested choice over battery or sampling accuracy)

I held of 4.7 deliberately and it would be nice to go back to 4.6.

0 FlipStone over 8 years ago

Did anyone download (and keep) any betas which would have had the backout file as the 4.6 release?
There are different levels of going to sh1t, but it appears that 4.7 was one of the higher levels and 4.6 was one of the better updates, depending on how you measure it (24/7 HRM went to sh1t on the first update and we still haven't got the much requested choice over battery or sampling accuracy)

I held of 4.7 deliberately and it would be nice to go back to 4.6.

Yeah, I have all of them at home I believe... Will post here later this evening when I get back (and if nobody else already did ;) )

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Works with FR230 too?

Do you know if this solution to roll back to 4.7 or 5.07 will work with my Forerunner 230? I don't know if the firmware is identical or not and don't want to risk bricking my watch unless I know it will work! But this current pace issue is just killing me.

Since some folks seemed to be confused on how to revert back to 4.70 or 5.07 beta, I'll provide some instructions. I did this successfully yesterday after some trial and error.

Some important notes:
1. It seems you can't directly install the beta software, you have to install 4.70 first. Then if you want to install beta, you can do so after installing 4.70.
2. YOU WILL LOSE ALL SETTINGS. Garmin says this in their instructions, and it's definitely true.
"NOTE: If you revert to an older version of software, all of your settings will be reset to defaults. "
Therefore, make sure your watch has been synced in Garmin Connect first to backup all your data. Take note of any personal settings you currently have because you'll need to reapply them.
3. I didn't lose any of my Connect IQ apps (watch faces, etc). But you may need to reconfigure them after.
4. You may also need to repair your watch to your phone and/or bluetooth devices.
Instructions:
1. Go to this URL: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=10450
2. Download the zip file to your computer and unzip it. There will be two files of interest in there:
GUPDATE.GCD - This is the 5.07 BETA software. You won't be able to install this first. You have to revert to 4.70, then if you wish you can install this beta version after.
GUPDATE-470.GCD - This is version 4.70.
3. Connect your watch to your computer. DO NOT let it open in Garmin Express or Garmin Connect. Shut down all that business down, and open the watch directly in your file explorer.
4. Copy the GUPDATE-470.GCD file directly to the \GARMIN folder on your watch.
5. IMPORTANT: Rename that file that you just copied to your watch to GUPDATE.GCD.
At this point you should have one file directly on your watch under the \GARMIN folder. The file should be named GUPDATE.GCD
6. Unplug your watch.
7. Wait for it to prompt you to update.
8. Verify the firmware version by going to the System Settings on your watch.

You should now be running 4.70. If you want to update to the beta version, repeat the above steps, but with the beta version in the zip file you downloaded from Garmin. (See step 2 above.)

I'm successfully running 5.07 beta now, and can verify the instant pace is working properly. Therefore I can assume the new instant pace bug was definitely introduced in the new firmware. My girlfriends watch was also effected by the new firmware, so I suspect this is a widespread bug and it's a big one, in my opinion.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Same Firmware on FR230 and FR235?

Can I revert back to a previous version of the firmware as posted earlier in this thread if I have a Forerunner 230? The link posted states that the firmware is for the 235, but I'm not sure if they're identical or not.

0 scottj2 over 8 years ago

I would be hesitant to put 235 firmware on your 230. They might be the same, but I wouldn't risk it.

However, you can still downgrade your 230. If you go to the Garmin site for the 230, on the right hand side of the page will be a "Check for Beta software link", which has the older beta firmware and 4.70. (I don't want to post the link here in case someone with a 235 accidentally clicks on it. ) You can follow the same instructions, but with that firmware download which is made for your 230.

Good luck!