Garmin releases new update for smartwatches with HRV bug fix

Garmin has released beta version 17.03 for the Instinct 2, Instinct 2s, Instinct 2X and Instinct Crossover smartwatches. This is the first release for these wearables in 2025, with the previous update, version 17.01, arriving in November 2024.

The change log for beta version 17.03 lists eight bug fixes for these Instinct smartwatches. This includes tackling a scaling problem on the heart rate variability (HRV) chart and an issue with step tracking for horseback riding activities. A problem with the Fish activity timer has been resolved, as has the Mixed Martial Arts activity name, which has been incorrectly displayed in the Garmin Connect app. For those who strength train, an issue where the weight value did not change as expected when users edited reps has been sorted out. There are also bug fixes relating to dog track and nautical distance data.

On top of this, the Instinct Crossover gets a bug fix for the Tides glance, which has previously been blank in some cases. Alongside the broader beta version 17.03 update, users also get GPS version 13.02. You can download the relevant files for this release from the Garmin forum. It is unclear when Garmin will next release a public update for all users of the Instinct 2 smartwatch (Solar Graphite watch curr. $255.38 at Amazon).