Garmin's Big Q1 2024 Fenix/Forerunner Beta Update: Tested!

Here's everything to know about Garmin's new Q1 2024 public beta firmware update for the Forerunner & Fenix lineups!

This is the first time I’ve written one of these quarterly posts where I can actually put “Wearables” in the title, rather than specifically ‘Fenix’ or ‘Forerunner’ or ‘Epix’. That’s because Garmin is actually close enough now where all of these major watches released within a few day timespan. The Forerunner series went first, then a few days later the Fenix/Epix/etc series. I suspect we’ll see Instinct squirreling around the corner here soon too.

Now, for timing it’s not all the same-day drop, but…we’re getting much closer to seeing that. Maybe next month (that said, there’s actually perfectly good beta program/technical reasons to stagger these, mainly so that if something is found, it impacts a smaller group of people).

For this round-up, we’ve got the following watches (as of January 12th), as I said, I’m sure we’ll see Instinct 2 series units join it shortly. Here’s links to all the announcement release notes for each one:

Garmin Fenix 7/Fenix 7 Pro Series
Garmin Epix/Epix Pro Series
Garmin Enduro 2
Garmin Quatix 7
Garmin MARQ 2 Series (except Aviator)
Garmin Forerunner 255 Series
Garmin Forerunner 955/955 Solar
Garmin Forerunner 965

The Forerunner 265 beta update for some reason isn’t listed yet, but undoubtedly will show up any moment. The Tacitx 7 Series joins the MARQ Aviator, in not being in any beta programs (likely due to the aviation features and extra QA processes). While Venu 3 got a beta update too this week…I’m not including it here because it’s just adding jump rope. C’mon Garmin, there’s simply no reason a $449 watch should have less features than the Forerunner 255/265 have at lower prices.

In any case, in this set, there’s a slate of updates in these betas, but the main five new features (as I see it) are:

1) Adds Automatic transition mode for triathlon: Effectively mirrors what Wahoo and then Apple have, which automatically change sports
2) Adds running track mode database: You no longer have to do calibration laps to get perfect tracks, it now has a database of worldwide tracks
3) Adds Lap Undo: You can now undo lap markers if you accidentally hit the lap button
4) Adds Sleep Coach: This was previously introduced on the Venu 3/Vivoactive 5 series, and its rollout is now being expanded.
5) Adds Jump Rope activity profile: Ok.

Beyond this, there’s a slate of bug fixes, and a few minor things (like the Fenix/Epix/etc units get CIQ7, a new flashlight control, lost phone option and more). You can tap the links up above to see the release notes for each.

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#Garmin #GarminForerunner #GarminBeta #GarminFenix7