Garmin releases new beta update for older mid-range smartwatches

Garmin has released a new beta update to the Instinct 2, Instinct 2X and Instinct Crossover smartwatches. Beta version 17.08 arrived around two months after the 17.07 stable release, which fixed an issue linked to DogTrack distances.

Beta version 17.08 is a relatively minor update, with the change log simply stating that it includes “miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements” for the Instinct 2 and related smartwatches. Unfortunately, Garmin does not detail exactly what problems it has addressed or which changes it has made to optimize these wearables.

This beta update was announced in a recent post in the Garmin Forum. It is worth noting one inconsistency: the post title states that beta version 17.08 is “Available OTA”, while the message suggests that users need to manually "check for updates". Typically, beta updates for the Instinct 2 smartwatches are automatically pushed over-the-air (OTA) to users when connected to the Garmin Connect app, or via Garmin Express. As such, it is likely that this is the case this time also. It remains to be seen when a stable version of software version 17.08 could roll out to all users of the Instinct 2 (45 mm Solar Graphite, curr. $223.35 at Amazon) and related smartwatches.