This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

FW Update 2.70

Former Member over 7 years ago

I just connected to Express and didn't even realize FW 2.70 downloaded. According to the list, there are several things to test out. I just hope this isn't like the initial release of the FR 235 where one thing was fixed, but the updated crashed something else.

Update: I can now add and change test responses. My Garmin speed & cadence sensors still won't sync unless I pedal my bike and hold the watch inches away from the sensors, so no help there. The other fixes listed I didn't have a problem with or wasn't aware there were issues. So, it appears 2.70 allows me to change text messages and that's about it for me.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

I noticed this change too with "improved number editor". I personally don't see it as an improvement and I prefer the old number editor. To each his own I guess.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

For me the update took about 3-4 hours something like that. This was with garmin connect mobile phone with fast wifi, I dont use Garmin express because it does not work with my old PC. A text came up on the watch with something like 2.70 update is finished. Now the touchscreen or swipe function does not work, maybe have to do a hard reset?

Update, it seems that it did a second update so the touchscreen do work now

I don't know why, but mine did a second update also. The first was with Express and I tried out a few of the "improvements" with the new FW. About a half hour later I synced the watch with Garmin Connect Mobile and another download started. It took about 2 1/2 hrs and I just rode it out because I was concerned if I stopped the download and hooked it back up to Express on my computer, I may corrupt a file. Seems to be working ok this morning. Has anyone had any luck with the watch picking up speed or cadence sensors? I still have to pedal my bike and hold the watch as close as possible for the sensors to connect. Sensor batteries are fine because I'll immediately pick-up both sensors with my FR235. No problems with the HR strap.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Though it wasn't mentioned, I believe there was a change to the power management. 2.70 is definitely draining my battery faster then 2.60 even after a hard reset. When I charge my watch to 100% on 2.60, it displays 100% on the watch after disconnecting from the power source. With 2.70, I can charge to 100%, but as soon as I disconnect the watch reads 99%. This leads me to believe something changed. Below I added what I found with the 2.70 update. Has anyone found anything different?

Changes made from version 2.60 to 2.70:

Added a fix to respect GPS settings during indoor activities (fixed on my VA3)
Fixed issues with the weather widget (I wasn't aware of an issue. I see no difference)
Added autoset support to rep counting (I'm not sure what this was suppose to do)
Made improvements to the number editor (I see the change. I prefer the old way)
Added support for custom canned text replies (fixed on my VA3)
Added Connect IQ 2.4.1 support (unknown)
Fixed vibrations during swim activity (I haven't tried)
Fixed broadcast from heart rate widget (I don't use)
Made improvements to vibrations (Vibrations last longer, but intensity seems unchanged)
Fixed Watch Face data fields (I found no difference)
Improved ANT sensor pairing (No change. I still have to pedal my bike and place my watch as close as possible to sync to speed and cadence sensors)

0 Superkg over 7 years ago

I already said I was pedaling my bike while holding the watch near the sensors. Different sensors and different problems. Mine have no lights and once they have paired I don't lose the connection. They still connect fine to my FR235, but the VA3 still has problems.

I apologize in advance but connecting the sensors that way sounds dangerous! I think your right, maybe the older combined cadence/speed sensor has issues connecting. I have the wrap around hub sensor with the light. Before I ride I spin that tire until I see the green light, I open the activity and it takes ~13 seconds for the sensor to connect. I'm also ~6 feet away and it connects fine. With the old firmware, I too had to get inches away from it to connect it. Curious what others are seeing with their sensors and the new firmware?

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

I would think being a newer device, the VA3 wouldn't have problems detecting the sensors. It can take up to 3-4 minutes before I get a connection and most of the time I have to go into settings and select connect before the VA3 finds them. With my FR235 I can get on my bike, start pedaling and a connection is made within 10-15 seconds. These aren't old or off brand sensors. They're two years old and made by Garmin. My chest strap is 4 years old and connects instantly. Garmin wouldn't have sent an update for ANT+ if there wasn't an issue. Unfortunately, the update didn't help me. I haven't seen any post from anyone saying this update helped them with this problem. So, if anyone had this problem and it is now fix, please say something so I can look at different avenues to solve my problem. I'd rather not buy new sensors if they're ok and the problem is with the VA3.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Experiencing the same thing with the increased battery drain after 2.70 update. Hope Garmin sends an update quickly to fix.

0 cleansoap over 7 years ago

My VA3 has always been slower than my FR230 to find ANT+ sensors. That hasn't improved with 2.70, but I lost connection to the footpod mid-run today for the first time. Recorded a magic 3.3mi run @ a constant 115 HR and whotheheck knows what cadence. Only 100 calories and zero steps.

0 Saad over 7 years ago

Mine was also draining super fast after the 2.70 update, and full power off reset didn't help. I have a battery drain widget installed (3rd party) which was projecting less than a day left of battery life based on the drain rate after a full charge this morning. Funny thing though, the drain rate keeps slowing down to the point where now the same widget projects 3 days left at close to 6 pm, still not the full promised seven days but much better. Sure sounds like some kind of software glitch.

0 Saad over 7 years ago

One more thing. The backlight setting to turn on with gesture only during an activity now works for me. Previously it would turn on with the gesture even outside an activity, so I was forced to just completely turn it off to save battery.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

I tried my speed and cadence sensors again. (I apologize kgarten, mine does have the lights also). Anyway, it took forever for the cadence sensor to connect by pedaling with the watch next to it. I wasn't able to connect the speed sensor. I tried my FR235 and they both connected immediately. I removed both sensors from my VA3 and tried pairing them again. The cadence sensor took about 5 mins to pair keeping the watch next to it, but I still wasn't able to pair the speed sensor. I was about to give up and decided to change the batteries in both sensors. Now both work perfectly. I can start "bike" or "indoor bike" activities and the sensors connect as soon as I mount my bike and start pedaling. I don't know why the FR235 had no problem connecting, but changing the batteries works great now with my VA3. I hope this helps anyone having the issues I was having.