Good idea to update Garmin firmware?

[bluebug32]

I have the Garmin Edge 500 and I've never updated the firmware. Garmin Connect is telling me to update from version 2.0 to v. 2.4. Is this a good idea? I seem to remember someone mentioning they lost data by doing this?

[OakLeaf]

Normally updating the firmware will re-set the system, so you'll have to re-enter your settings, and it may make the data on your unit inaccessible. Just as you'd make a backup of your "regular" computer before doing any system upgrade, do the same with your fitness computers.

Is there a reason you've waited four versions? I have a 705 so I can't speak to any particular issues on the 500, but if there are issues, people on the Garmin forums will have been talking about them.

[SheFly]

I just updated the firmware on my 305 yesterday. It wasn't holding a charge for longer than 2.5 hours, and the good folks at Garmin recommended that this MAY fix the problem. I made sure to download all of my ride data first, which is good, since it was all reset as part of the update.

The good news is that I ran the unit for 8.5 hours yesterday, so it seems to have solved my problem!

SheFly

[Aggie_Ama]

Do you back-up to the training center? I do this nearly every ride, do you mean you lose this or the actual computer?

On a slight threadjack, on the 500 do you know how to reset the lap counter? Mine thinks every 5 miles is a lap. I apparently rode 4 laps today on my road ride which was one loop.

[OakLeaf]

On a slight threadjack, on the 500 do you know how to reset the lap counter? Mine thinks every 5 miles is a lap. I apparently rode 4 laps today on my road ride which was one loop.

On the 705, 310 and 301, it's under Settings>Training>Auto Pause/Lap. So I'm guessing it's in the same place on the 500.

Nothing gets deleted from your TC database. That, you back up when you back up the rest of what's on your hard drive.

[TrekTheKaty]

Firmware upgrades are usually to make improvements. They may be "buggy" at first, but if you are that far behind, I would do it.

[Eden]

Yes - upgrade the firmware. There is a bug in the old firmware that causes it to occasionally drop workouts - they just disappear. The new firmware fixes it and causes no new bugs as far as I have seen. Do make sure your Garmin is fully charged before you update it. If it runs out of battery power in the midst of the update you will have to send it back to the factory to be reset!