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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 KR17 over 8 years ago

Can anyone confirm if this is 'safe' and free from any obvious bugs?

I've got the prompt now but hesitating to pull the trigger, especially as its a whole full number rather than just a point upgrade.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

To me

anyone else lost the settings option in their connectiq apps after the upgrade? I no longer see this option in any of the connectiq apps with setting options in my gc mobile.

fr235

0 dzhedaj over 8 years ago

Updated right before my run this morning. I haven't experienced almost any issues with previous versions. Today the heartrate would be registered as 120-130 during the first 20 minutes of my run, only then it caught up to the right one of 150-160. Will do a few more runs to confirm though.

0 Tiidadii over 8 years ago

I have updated yesterday evening and run this morning.
My run was 20min warm up then interval training; HR was good during warm up 140-150pm when I started interval it goes a bit crazy as it indicated 75-95pm...
I don't know if it cames with the upgrade or not as it was my first interval session with the fr235

0 Tpcorr over 8 years ago

I updated to 5.20 yesterday, from a relatively problem free 4.70. As others have noted, the biggest difference I've noticed so far is the extremely quick acquisition of my heart rate. In 4.70, when using the heart rate widget, it would frequently take as long as a minute to acquire my heart rate, now it takes less than 10 seconds. Upon choosing an activity the heart rate is acquired even quicker. I really like that. I will also enjoy the ability to broadcast heart rate to my Edge 520, while recording the ride on both the 235 and the 520.

As an aside, I've recorded many rides with both the Forerunner 235 and the Edge 520. I've used the Garmin premium HRM strap mated to the 520 and compared the heart rate with that of the optical HRM on the 235. I've found that while there are small differences between the 2 heart rate monitors during changes in exertion, such as climbing a hill, at the end of a typical 2-4 hour ride, the average HR between the 2 HRMs are virtually identical. So while there are small differences when doing interval type exertions, mostly in the ramping up phase, I find the optical HRM to compare quite favorably with the chest strap.

Since I wear my watch during my bike rides anyway, I'll utilize the ability to broadcast my heart rate to the Edge 520, while still recording my ride on the 235. Especially on those days I forget to put the HRM strap around my chest.

For my uses, which are mainly cycling, running, and swimming, this watch has been almost perfect. Now if the screen could only be twice as bright for my old eyes it would be perfect.

Tom

0 rosec2 over 8 years ago

Vibration Alerts

Hi,

I lost my vibration/tone alerts as per other users earlier this week. I've now applied the 5.20 upgrade and hopefully this is fixed. Can anyone confirm if they've used since the upgrade and whether this feature is now fixed. I have a marathon on Sunday and had done my last pre race run this morning before upgrading and I'd like to know if everything is okay?

Many thanks,

Rose.

0 Vikingbeard73 over 8 years ago

Updated to 5.20 yesterday, immediately my resting calories are out of whack. They are usually at 1720 a day but yesterday with the new firmware 2103. All user info is the same.

Anyone else having this issue?

0 Jay_Queue over 8 years ago

Anyone else lost the settings option in their ConnectIQ apps after the upgrade? I no longer see this option in any of the ConnectIQ apps with setting options in my GC mobile.

Noticed the same issue, then I got another update to install.
Rebooted the device and now I got the settings back.
Tested with the NoFrills watchface.

0 FlipStone over 8 years ago

Updated to 5.20 yesterday, immediately my resting calories are out of whack. They are usually at 1720 a day but yesterday with the new firmware 2103. All user info is the same.

Anyone else having this issue?

Hmmm, can't say I noticed any differences... Will keep an eye on it.

Perhaps the excitement of the new update caused an increase in your avg heart rate and thus increased calorie estimation? ;)

0 Vikingbeard73 over 8 years ago

Hmmm, can't say I noticed any differences... Will keep an eye on it.

Perhaps the excitement of the new update caused an increase in your avg heart rate and thus increased calorie estimation? ;)

Lol.

It's immediately noticeable, I updated about halfway through the day and when I checked my steps were still showing right after the calories burned had jumped up a few hundred.