Notebookcheck Logo

Garmin Epix 2 and Fenix 7 series receive major updates with plenty new features and bug fixes

The Garmin Epix 2 has received numerous changes in this month's Public Beta builds. (Image source: Garmin)
The Garmin Epix 2 has received numerous changes in this month's Public Beta builds. (Image source: Garmin)
Garmin has rolled out two new updates to the Epix 2 and Fenix 7 series. Now brought up to Software Version 8.14, the pair have received over 80 changes, including new features and bug fixes. The Epix 2 has benefited from more improvements than the Fenix 7, for some reason.

Garmin has issued two public builds to the Epix 2 and Fenix 7 series in quick succession. Initially, the company released Software Version 8.13, which upgraded the pair from v7.35. As we have reproduced below, v8.13 made over 70 changes for the Epix 2 and Fenix 7 series, consisting of the Fenix 7, Fenix 7S and the Fenix 7X.

However, Garmin brought four additional changes to the Epix 2, on top of the ones that the Fenix 7 series received. Specifically, Garmin added five watch faces, improved the Epix 2's always-on display functionality and fixed an issue where the Pool Swim countdown timer would stop when the display turns off. For reference, we have also included the Epix 2's changes as of v8.13 below.

Additionally, Garmin has made even more changes with v8.14, including updating support for Shimano Di2. Moreover, Garmin has bundled several bug fixes in v8.14, among other changes. You can download v8.14 for the Epix 2 and Fenix 7 via the appropriate hyperlinks, which should also contain all changes in v8.13. Please note that these are Public Beta builds, so you must install the builds manually, having transferred the software from your PC first. You can find the full update instructions on Garmin's website.

  • Added a message that displays when heart rate dependent features are launched when Heart Rate tracking setting is disabled.
  • Added a side options menu to the sleep widget.
  • Added a strength metrics screen to activity summary.
  • Added a time zone data field option to watch faces.
  • Added ability to access action menus via touchscreen tap.
  • Added ability to change the record activity setting mid-round for Golf.
  • Added ability to go back to a Connect IQ watch face while in an activity.
  • Added ability to perform Map Manager wifi map downloads when connecting to a computer as well.
  • Added ability to toggle smart notifications in notifications and alerts menu.
  • Added Acclimation, Pace, and Detailed Speed to post activity summary UI.
  • Added Adventure Race start and end time to post activity summary UI.
  • Added Body Battery watch face chart option.
  • Added Bouldering metrics screen to activity summary.
  • Added Compass settings to the Adventure Race options menu.
  • Added Connect IQ System 5 support.
  • Added download time estimation to map manager.
  • Added Endurance Horseback Riding activity.
  • Added Enhanced Strength functionality, which includes an improved workout preview with a map of muscles that will be used, improved User Interface in free mode and workouts,
  • Added Fish activity.
  • Added Fitness Age display to User Profile settings.
  • Added Green Contours support to golf.
  • Added indoor climbing metrics screen to activity summary.
  • Added new watch face data field types: 1, 2, 3 item raw data fields, sunrise/sunset, calories.
  • Added option menu to Heart Rate app.
  • Added prompt when user tries to start a Connect IQ app that records an activity when an activity is already being recorded.
  • Added Stamina fields to the Adventure Racing activity.
  • Added Steps chart as a possible watch face data field.
  • Added Streak display to Steps widget.
  • Added support for preloaded maps to update via map manager (Golf and Ski maps, etc.)
  • Added support for the following Extended Display data fields: Stamina, steps, active calories, and battery hours.
  • Added support for TM2 position formatting.
  • Added to and improved ability to modify settings in Garmin Connect mobile app.
  • and improvements to the Rep and Weight editing experience.
  • Changed backlight keys setting to Keys and Touch - disabling Backlight response for button presses will now also prevent the backlight from responding to Touchscreen input.
  • Changed wording of “Stand” time to “Idle” time.
  • Fixed inability to access controls menu when in critically low battery mode.
  • Fixed issue where activity summary would display incorrect information for multisport activities.
  • Fixed issue where device could be unlocked by any key after having been locked via hot key.
  • Fixed issue where ski maps could show wrong positions.
  • Fixed issue where the music widget wouldn’t always time out.
  • Fixed issue where timer would be allowed to start when in a map activity and doing an altitude calibration.
  • Fixed issue where turning off system vibrations would also turn off haptic vibrations.
  • Fixed issue where wrist gestures would not work when a power mode is enabled.
  • Fixed issue with Connect IQ ActivityInfo::distanceToDestination.
  • Fixed issue with minimum value on Intensity Minutes graph.
  • Fixed issue with saved location icon.
  • Fixed issue with touchscreen disabled during data screen previews.
  • Fixed issues with calendar widget glance.
  • Fixed issues with watch face race predictor data field.
  • Fixed many translations and localization issues.
  • Fixed missing 'sync complete' message after download a Connect IQ app via Wi-Fi through the Connect IQ Store app on device.
  • Fixed missing course line on map when racing an activity.
  • Fixed Nautical Speed setting in windsurf activity.
  • Fixed potential InReach remote issue where message would contain bad characters.
  • Fixed potential issue where a user could get stuck in the lap banner.
  • Fixed potential issue where Main Menu could not be opened.
  • Fixed potential issue with sending/receiving InReach messages.
  • Fixed potential map coloring issues with certain maps.
  • Fixed potential shutdown when saving an activity and using a CIQ data field.
  • Fixed UI issues on Garmin Pay wallet page.
  • Improved an issue where the device could report 0 swimming distance (some cases of this bug are still possible, we are continuing to work on this issue and aim to have it completely resolved soon.)
  • Improved map UI when selecting a point while on the map.
  • Improved power mode UI.
  • Improved sleep detection.
  • Improved timer alarm design.
  • Improved touch support in some places.
  • Improved User Interface (UI) of InReach app.
  • Improved wording of sleep mode touch setting to be “auto” and “off.”
  • Improvements and fixes made to Health Snapshot.
  • Improvements made to map manager map download.
  • Various other bug fixes and improvements.
  • Added 5 new watch faces – one for each Garmin business segment (Automotive, Aviation, Fitness, Marine, and Outdoor).
  • Improved always-on display to be disabled during an Expedition activity.
  • Fixed issue where the Pool Swim countdown timer stops working when display turns off.
  • Fixed battery estimates when display always on is turned off.
  • Updated support for Shimano Di2.
  • Improved initial pairing flow in some cases which would cause the user to be stuck at the Garmin Connect logo.
  • Improved weight editing in the strength activity, now each digit can be edited individually.
  • Fixed potential shutdown when editing certain watch face data fields.
  • Fixed issue causing map zoom buttons to sometimes disappear when in the Around Me feature.
  • Fixed issue causing alarm indicator on the sleep mode watch face to not show up if the alarm was set after a specific time.
  • Fixed an issue where accessing an activity profile might not prompt for a Daily Suggested Workout as expected.
  • Fixed issue causing flattened elevation plot when using Direct Routing.
  • Fixed issue where heart rate fields on the watch face could get stuck reporting 0.
  • Fixed potential shutdown when in a round of Golf.

Source(s)

Garmin (1) (2) (3) (4) via Tizen Help

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2022 04 > Garmin Epix 2 and Fenix 7 series receive major updates with plenty new features and bug fixes
Alex Alderson, 2022-04-14 (Update: 2022-04-14)