Garmin Releases Major Feature Update for Select Smartwatches

Garmin has rolled out a significant feature update for many of its newer smartwatches, introducing enhancements to equipment tracking, route planning, and sports data display. While the update applies to a wide range of models, the Fenix 7 series will not receive this update. The company has detailed which watches are eligible for specific new features.

New Features and Enhancements

Equipment Tracking

The new Equipment Tracking feature allows users to assign specific equipment to activities and monitor its usage. This includes tracking distance traveled with shoes, hours of use for gear, and more. Equipment tracking is available directly on the watch or within the Garmin Connect application, and now supports skis, bicycle accessories, and wheelchairs. Users can view the service life of their equipment directly on their watch.

Route Planner Enhancements

The Route Planner (Course Planner) now allows users to add checkpoints, refreshment stations, or notes to race plans, improving race-day strategy.

Sport Scores

The Sport Scores service brings live results, fixtures, and tables from major sports competitions directly to the user’s wrist via a paired smartphone.

Lifestyle Tracking

The update introduces the ability to monitor intake of substances like alcohol and caffeine, as well as time spent on activities like reading. The watch then evaluates how these factors impact sleep, heart rate variability, and stress levels.

Expanded Feature Availability

Garmin Fitness Coach, a personalized training plan creator based on fitness and activity history (including cardio and optional strength training), is now available on a significantly larger number of watches. Sleep Compliance, which detects alignment between sleep and the wearer’s circadian rhythm and evaluates consistency, is likewise expanding to more devices.

Accessibility and Safety Improvements

Select models now support voice warnings when connected to the Varia cycle radar, alerting users to approaching vehicles. Accessibility features have also been added, including functions for reading current information on the dial, modes for users with different types of color blindness, and hourly signaling. Improved treadmill walking and stair climbing tracking, including backpack load consideration, are also included.

Compatible Devices

The February Feature Update is available for the following devices:

• D2 Mach 2
• Enduro 3
• Fenix 8
• Fenix 8 Pro
• Fenix E
• Forerunner 970
• Forerunner 570
• Instinct 3
• Instinct Crossover AMOLED
• Instinct E
• Quatix 8
• Quatix 8 Pro
• Tactix 8
• Venu 4
• Came X1
• Vivoactive 6

Additional Features and Updates

Garmin is also extending support for other features, such as weight monitoring, battery manager, post-dive suggestions, extended morning message, smart alarms, suggested destinations, and contextual voice notifications to a wider range of watches. The cycle computer will more accurately complete ride recordings at the end of a planned route, preventing unwanted tracking of subsequent travel.

Update Process

Garmin publishes updates gradually. Users can enable automatic updates on their watch or cycle computer and synchronize via Garmin Connect, or use the Garmin Express software. A detailed breakdown of news for specific models can be found on the Garmin Support website.