Garmin releases major new update for mid-range smartwatches with heart rate GCM improvement

Garmin has quietly released an update with multiple changes for many of its older Forerunner smartwatches. For context, the company has just published a stable update for the newer Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170, too. Now, older models like the Forerunner 165 and Forerunner 255 (curr. $259 - refurbished on Amazon).

Specifically, Garmin is rolling out Software Version 29.05 to the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965. Previously a beta update, Software Version 29.05 is the first major stable release since Software Version 28.05 that arrived in June.

Nonetheless, the new update contains a limited changelog with three overarching improvements. Of these, one line is dedicated to various bug fixes and improvements. Unfortunately, Garmin has not elaborated further.

Additionally, the new stable update fixes an issue in older firmware that interrupted syncing strength personal records to Garmin Connect. Moreover, the firmware should resolve a separate bug that caused problems with configuring heart rate and power fields from Garmin Connect Mobile. System Software 29.05 will arrive as an over-the-air (OTA) download. Please see Garmin’s forum post for more details.