Firmeware Downgrade to 5.40

I'm not aware of anyone finding a way to downgrade updates. The question has been brought up several times in past threads. If someone knows of a way, I'd go back to version 2.90 that came with my 235 and worked best for me.

You'd need the archived firmware

You'd need the firmware file for 5.40 (file type .GCD ). In theory you could copy that via usb to your watch and your garmin would prompt to "upgrade" to the lower number. However, perhaps that only works when the current version is a non-release.

I have the firmware for 7.10 (and in the future I'll be saving all updates before I apply them). Once there's an update past 7.10 I'll test if I can use the older firmware file to downgrade.

I've looked for archived copies of the 5.40 235 firmware, but sadly have not found any. If you do, please report back and I'll happily test coaxing my 235 to downgrade. Fortunately for me 7.10 seems to work the same for me as 5.40 . There's a few times where my heart rate seems to be misbehaving, but I've semi-recently had to take 2 weeks, and 1 week off of running for illness (chest cold), so it could be lack of fitness related, or even cold related.

I use 5sec pace, instead of "pace" (in the Single Run Field (by Icj2) datafield) and this seems to still be consistent for me.

Interesting as there is indeed the 540 version here http://www.gawisp.com/perry/forerunner/

Has anyone tried downgrading before I give it a shot ? I'm really curious to see whether all the HR woes that started with v610 would be fixed by going back to v540 or if it was just some sort of coincidence like colder weather...

EDIT - Apparently it's impossible to downgrade : https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?364879-How-to-downgrade-firmware&highlight=downgrade

Even if you could downgrade and believe it is possible - at least in some cases, the big problem is that you effectively make yourself unsupportable. So if you have a problem with your "old" software the only likely advice you are going to get is to install the latest firmware.

Anyway the change log mentions nothing about OHR performance since 5.40 and anyway OHR is usually dependent of the version of the sensor hub component - think WHR in Settings, System, About.
Change log for that is http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=9578
2.70 seems to have been around for some while now https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?351380-Sensor-Hub-2-70-Software-Now-Available!

I have to amend what I posted earlier in this thread. I too agree it's possible to downgrade the firmware. I believe what most people have a problem with is the whr sensor update which I don't think can be downgraded. If that can be done, I wouldn't hesitate to do it. I don't think many would care if they were no longer supported by Garmin. After all, threads concerning this matter wouldn't be posted if support had solved the user's issue. As long as the user understands downgrading would result in forfeiting Garmin technical support, I say let the user decide what they want to do, if indeed, someone has/can figure out how to do it.

I say let the user decide what they want to do, if indeed, someone has/can figure out how to do it.

Well, Garmin isn't going to actively stop users from downgrading or penalise them for doing so, even if the company doesn't try to accommodate those who want to do so by offering a ready, reliable means of downgrading firmware by self-service.

I'm a little confused about your post. Where is the implication that Garmin would or could prevent or penalize someone for downgrading? Other than Garmin saying they could only offer support on current firmware/software, how did you come to the conclusion that I, or anyone else, is stating otherwise?

You said, “I say let the user decide what they want to do,” when Garmin is already letting users do that with regard to downgrading firmware, “if indeed, someone has/can figure out how to do it.” Without any help or facilitation on the part of Garmin itself, of course, but as far as I'm aware it's not sending out cease-and-desist notices, or demanding that anyone else hosting a publicly accessible copy of earlier versions of firmware to take it down. I proffered neither disagreement with your statement, nor any assertion that you implied Garmin “would or could prevent or penalise someone for downgrading”, but was merely discussing it – and this is a discussion forum, no?

While downgrading is possible (I've done it with my Edge 520), Garmin will continually try and push the latest firmware to your device. With my 520 it's easy enough not to use Garmin Express in my computer and turn Bluetooth off on the device. I don't use the notifications, so that's no big loss. Not having my rides sync automatically is a different story, but I can live with it. If you are using the activity tracker functions of your 235, then you will find the latest firmware is always being pushed to your watch as you will be syncing more frequently with Garmin Connect (either by your phone or using Garmin Express).

The only way to stop the update being pushed is to remove it from your queue in Garmin Connect before you sync or if it downloads, deferring it on the watch, connecting it to a computer and deleting the GUPDATE.GCD file in the Garmin folder before it installs.