Fenix 2 Update

I have a nice new Shiny Fenix 2. I wanted to connect to my desktop computer using Bluetooth. But, when I try that, I get driver errors on my Computer and it doesn’t work. So, I start research and as part of that see that there are updates for the Fenix 2 which address BT issues. So, I figure I need to update Fenix. I do all the Garmin stuff, it says there is software available and it transfers the software to my watch (using the USB cable). Then it says to disconnect the USB cable and turn the watch off. Hmmmmmm, pressing power doesn’t do anything so I resort to the manual. Turns out that if you hold the “light” button down for more than a couple of seconds a menu comes up that includes “power off”. So I do that, wait a bit and turn Fenix back on. It boots up just fine but no software update. Hmmmmmm. Let’s try that again (definition of stupidity - try the same thing again in the hopes that it’ll work this time) - no. In the instructions it does say that the watch needs to be fully charged, I’m at 86%, that should be enough.

More research. There is an Alpha or Beta version of software available. What the heck, I might as well go for that. Go to where the software is, open up Fenix in explorer (with USB it just looks like another drive - if you do this I suggest you do NOT delete ANYTHING), copy the update over to where it says to, disconnect Fenix, “turn it off”, wait for a minute or so and turn it back on - nope, no install.

So, time to write a support email. But, I can’t do that because their support page seems to take me to the U.S. site (from the Canadian site) and my login isn’t recognized??? (That’s just a guess). And, it won’t let me register a support issue without logging in (although it is supposed to). Appears the site if slightly fucked.

At this point I have a decision to make. I wisely decide to stop trying to do anything and take a break as my next action would likely require home renovation to fix the hole in the wall made by the Fenix going through it.

A couple of hours later I come back upstairs. I’ve left Fenix attached and I note that it is now 100% charged. When I disconnect, it does a reboot and installs the software.

So, when Garmin says that it needs to be “FULLY CHARGED” to apply an update, they mean exactly 100% charged!

Oh and this did not fix my BT error. I followed up with Dell, attempted to install new drivers but their “most recent” were older than my system had and it wouldn’t downgrade. So, I’ve turned BT off on my watch which is fine because I’ll connect to HR strap with ANT+. Next, I’ll attempt to connect via BT to my iPad and find that won’t work either :(.

Anyway, if anyone else decides to update the software in their Fenix, remember that it has to be 100% CHARGED!

If you are looking to do BT, no matter what Dell says, you’'l most likely need an add on BT dongle to get it to work like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-BTD-400-Bluetooth-4-0-adapter/dp/B007Q45EF4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399159360&sr=8-1&keywords=bluetooth+dongle

Good luck!
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A question and a comment:

  1. Which Garmin update software tool are you using to update the Fenix2? Garmin Express, Garmin WebUpdater or Garmin Communicator? Fwiw, generally WebUpdater is tried and trusted, though Express is pretty good lately. I wouldn’t trust Communicator with babysitting a rock.

  2. The Fenix2 doesn’t connect via Bluetooth to a PC. Only to an iOS device, and eventually Android devices. Said iOS device would need to be an iPhone 4s or newer, and a 3rd generation iPad or newer. It would also need to have the Garmin Connect mobile app installed.

Cheers.

Thanks DC. I didn’t really think that I could connect to my desktop but thought I’d give it a try. I was looking for a way to wirelessly update the Garmin site like I do with my 310 and swim. But, I was able to do the update via the USB connection so no problem.

What surprised me and is something you may want to add to your data is that the unit needs to be “Fully Charged” before it will initiate an update. You can still transfer the files over but when the watch starts up, it won’t install the update unless it sees 100%.

When exactly will that Android support be coming?

get an iPhone, loser
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Lol Fenix 2. Returned mine for a 910 today. Here I thought you just had to apply the update 12 times for it to finally take.