Update October 24
The final firmware versions are now available, so they will be gradually reaching all models through the traditional update channel, either via Bluetooth or Garmin Express.
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The new features shown in the Garmin Forerunner 745 are now available for other models. The Garmin FR945 and Garmin Fenix 6 receive both Track Run profile and daily workout suggestions. For its part, the Forerunner 245 only gets the first thing (the Track Run profile).
Here is the direct access to each of the beta pages for those devices:
Beta updates for Garmin Forerunner 245
Beta updates for Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
Beta updates for Garmin Forerunner 945
Beta updates for Garmin Fenix 6
Daily workout suggestions gives you guided training recommendations for running and cycling (not swimming), which will suit you based on your VO2max, load and training status. This will only be available on the Forerunner 945 and the Fenix 6 range (plus the Forerunner 745, of course).
It's the same feature that premiered with the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus, but now also offering run workouts in addition to cycling.
To give an example, I've already done a run workout this morning. If I go into the workout suggestion of the day, it simply tells me to do a recovery workout.
I am the one who chooses the sport I want to do, the watch will not tell me if I should go running or cycling. In the sport profile we have to enter options, workouts and the option "Today's Suggestions" (this translation will have to change with the final version).
As for the track mode, it is very similar to the one that COROS presented a few months ago. After doing an initial two-lap calibration, from that moment on the watch will memorize that track and give the distance and pace at all times with a very small margin of error.
In addition, the 945 also receives the Grit and Flow metrics already received by the Fenix 6 in the latest beta release. And common bug fixes, recovery-time data enhancements, and other minor improvements.
How to update to the beta version
Upgrading your watch to the beta version is very easy and does not lead to data loss unless you want to revert to an earlier firmware version (for example the latest released version), in which case the settings will be reset to default values.
But if you keep the beta version and upgrade to the next release version (which will already include all these changes) you won't lose data either. I have been using this version for several days and everything works perfectly, so there is no reason to fear.
First you will have to download the update files on the corresponding page of your watch (245, 945 or Fenix 6), by clicking on the download button.
Here are the direct links:
– Beta updates for Garmin Forerunner 245
- Beta updates for Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
– Beta updates for Garmin Forerunner 945
– Beta updates for Garmin Fenix 6
- Connect the watch to your computer using the USB cable. On Mac and for music watches (FR245 Music and FR945 Music) you will need to install Android File Transfer.
- Download the corresponding file for your model and unzip it. On the watch, open the \GARMIN\ folder and copy the GUPDATE.GCD file.
- From the downloaded files, open \RemoteSW\ and copy the file inside (the file names changes depending on the model) to the \GARMIN\RemoteSW\ folder on your watch
- Disconnect the watch from your computer and accept the software update that will be displayed on the screen.
After the update is down you will already have installed the firmware version that incorporates the new features indicated above, along with the rest of the other features. Below you can see what everything is included in each update.
What's new on Garmin Forerunner 245 v5.09 Beta
- Added support for the Track Run activity, which allows you to record outdoor track data, including lap splits and distance in meters, on a standard shape 400m track.
- Added support for Improved Recovery Time, which takes your stress, sleep, relaxation, and physical activity into consideration.
- Improved optical heart rate performance.
- Added a Save Location option to the Navigation menu.
- Updated the look of the Alarm screen.
- Updated the main workout data screen to indicate High, Low, or In Range for the current target.
- Various other improvements and bug fixes.
What's new on Garmin Forerunner 945 v5.09 Beta
- Added support for Daily Suggested Workouts, which are recommended based on previous activities. You can disable this from activity settings. (Run/Bike > Menu > Training > Workouts > Today's Suggestion.)
- Added support for the Track Run activity, which allows you to record outdoor track data, including lap splits and distance in meters, on a standard shape 400m track.
- Added support for Improved Recovery Time, which takes your stress, sleep, relaxation, and physical activity into consideration.
- Added support for Bouldering and Indoor Climb activity profiles.
- Added support for Grit and Flow features for mountain biking activities. Grit measures the overall difficulty of a ride, and Flow measures how well you maintain your speed throughout the ride.
- Improved optical heart rate performance.
- Updated the look of the Alarm screen.
- Updated the main workout data screen to indicate High, Low, or In Range for the current target.
- Various other improvements and bug fixes.
What's new on Garmin Fenix 6 v11.75 Beta
- Added support for Daily Suggested Workouts, which are recommended based on previous activities. You can disable this from activity settings. (Run/Bike > Menu > Training > Workouts > Today's Suggestion.)
- Added support for the Track Run activity, which allows you to record outdoor track data, including lap splits and distance in meters, on a standard shape 400m track.
- Added support for Improved Recovery Time, which takes your stress, sleep, relaxation, and physical activity into consideration.
- Added support for configuring non-zero power averaging for Biking activities. (Activity Settings > Power Averaging)
- Added support for configuring backlight settings during the sleep window. (Settings > System > Backlight > During Sleep.)
- Added support for training and breathwork workout categories to properly handle launching workouts from calendar view and prompting yoga, strength, cardio, breathing, and pilates workouts.
- Added Training Status explanation tip in the Training Status widget.
- Added support for displaying the map scale when panning/zooming the map.
- Updated the Clocks list layout and icons.
- Improved the pairing experience for Bike lights/radar.
- Improved compass smoothness.
- Improved the poor wrist HR detection which will lead to more accurate VO2 Max and Performance Condition estimates. (Requires 8.00 Sensor Hub)
- Fixed an issue where the 'Navigation' hotkey was not working as expected for certain use cases.
- Fixed an issue with the wind speed field on watch face.
- Fixed an issue where open water swim activities were capturing an erroneous position in the track log.
- Fixed an issue where the device would fail to load the elevation plot when navigating to a POI.
- Fixed an issue where the elevation plot would intermittently get doubled while navigating.
- Fixed an issue where expired weather data was being displayed on the watchface.
- Fixed potential GPS communication problems. (Requires GPS v4.60)
Good excuse me, do you know what maps the Garmin 530 comes with as standard or do you have to download one with the corresponding cost?
Maps of Europe
Thanks for the valuable information Eduardo. Is there any risk of "damaging" the watch software if the Beta update does not go well? Is there any chance of not receiving it if you don't test the Beta, but wait for the final update? Thank you.
There is no risk, the watch checks the files before applying them.
If not, the final version will arrive in the usual update channel in a few weeks.
I'm going to say something that may be unpopular but I'm very happy with my 245 optical wrist sensor, so if they improve it, I have a band for cycling and HIIT.
I am concerned about the charger and pins.
After these updates, a comparison, in terms of available features, between the Phoenix 6 and the 945 would be nice.
Both are very similar. The small differences are in terms of navigation on the Fenix 6 and sleep logging directly on the watch, but little else.
Good afternoon Eduardo, thank you very much!
I have a doubt, in the update file that I download, I don't see "RemoteSW".
downloads me, already unzipping the file, 6 files;
-ANT_BLE_BT_v606
-GPS_v460
-SensorHub_v800
-System_1175
-System_Backdate_v1110
-WiFi_v260
In each folder there is only one .GCD file.
but no "RemoteSW"
i have a fenix 6 pro
Do you know if I'm missing something?
Thank you !
I was able to:
-The file of each of these three folders:
-ANT_BLE_BT_v606
-GPS_v460
-SensorHub_v800
This is the one you paste in the GARMIN: RemoteSW subfolder of the device and that's it!
Thank you!
That's right, that's because the Fenix also updates all the sensors.
Hi Sergio, I already pasted all the files in the garmin folder, what is the next step to continue with the update? Thank you.
Thomas
After copying the files, simply disconnect the watch from the computer and wait for it to restart.
the watch did nothing
Then the files are not in the corresponding folder.
Hello Eduardo, so many improvements in the Fénix 6 is because it had many bugs? because the truth is that they have improved many things ???? In a few days I will receive my Fénix 6 to poder check it. Best regards!
No, no failures. Garmin simply cannot allow any model to have more features than the top of the range and its pretty girl (the Fenix).
Hi Eduardo, thanks for so much information. Unfortunately I do not have any of those models that are updated, I just bought a Fenix 5 Plus, at a very good price, and the truth is that I am delighted with it. I am interested in the race mode on track, as I am preparing some physical tests of an opposition and I think it would be good for me to better control the pace and the series... do you think 1TP10Could also incorporate the series Fenix 5? It only has the indoor track mode, without GPS...which I don't think would be useful for me.
Thank you very much in advance.
No, the Fenix 5 will no longer receive any such upgrades.
Forerunner 245 Software version 5.09 Beta has been updated.
Important, for those who have the 245 Music there is an INDEPENDENT update of the 245.
https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=14937
I have tried downloading from the link and it always pulls me back to version 5.00.
Thanks Angel, added the specific link for the Music, I forgot to include it.
Good morning Eduardo! Do you know if they will improve the gps positioning in fenix 6X? The truth is that they should polish the gps in precision, thanks and greetings!
There are always updates, but in my experience there are not usually significant changes when a model is this mature. However most of the time, if there are major triangulation failures they are more due to the site itself than to problems with the watch, so an update was not going to solve the terrain problem either.
Hi Eduardo, I have the Phoenix 6x Pro with software 9.30, I see that there is a new version, the 11.10, is it reliable to update it? Thanks
Yes, of course. What's strange to me is that it hasn't been automatically updated by now.
Yes, it automatically updates to that version. But that's not the one you published, the beta, right?
No, the beta must be installed manually using the method described here.