Garmin published Foretrex 801/901 Firmware version 2.10 on December 18, 2023:
Changes made to version 2.10:
Fixed potential issue with Stealth Mode after a reboot.
Fixed potential issue with compass freezing while navigation track.
Fixed track logging while in Expedition mode.
Fixed potential issue with syncing ephemeris data.
Please report your observations about this firmware release, good or bad, here!
original post
Foretrex 801/901 SW Bundle
version 2.10
Fixed potential issue with Stealth Mode after a reboot
Fixed potential issue with compass freezing while navigation track
Fixed track loging while in Expedition mode
Fixed potential issue with syncing ephemeris data
Thank you for posting this. Where did you get the fix list? I asked Garmin support for it and they said the 2.10 release didn't have a list. I witnessed the freezing compass myself while playing around with following a track.
Issues I'm seeing with 2.10:
I have some tracks that don't show up on the Foretrex, but do show up in Basecamp. When I delete them in BaseCamp, they just reappear the next time I plug my Foretrex in.
When the Foretrex is in USB mode, I get the "Lost Satellite" beep numerous times. It makes sense since I don't have reception by my computer, but it is pretty annoying.
There is an issue where I can't seem to delete waypoints from a route on the device if it isn't the first (or one of iirc) waypoints. Trying to delete a waypoint towards the end of the list fails.
Hi, sometimes i use to update garmin explore. A list of changes made with the current update is always displayed there.
1. Unfortunately, I do the routes through oruxmaps and then through garmin explore -> foretrex 801
3. Try to delete through garmin explorer and it should not appear in the device when syncing.
I'm rather disappointed by the 801 firmware (2.10 not being an exception).
What I like a lot is the simple interface and the fact that AAA batteries can be used, so I don't need to rely on USB charging.
My typical workflow is to connect the unit via USB and upload gpx files created in Viking (Linux). Often i need to delete the files. I do not use Bandcamp (Linux user) or Android apps (other than for the essential firmware updates).
Bugs
there is no webpage that tells users that a new firmware version is available. (user 'plimbo' seems to know exactly where this critical information is available.) the Android Explore app is unreliable because it does not warn the user that an update will (or will not) happen. What I need is a separate section in the Android app that (1) tells me what version the firmware is (ok), (2) what firmware is available (missing), and (3) a button to proceed with the firmware update (missing).
I do not need to sync anything via the Explore app. it is simply confusing, but apparently it is essential before attempting a (ghostly) firmware upgrade. I was lucky to jump from 2.06 to 2.10 but discovered it almost accidentally when switching off the unit in order to replace the batteries: that is the worst moment when a firmware update should happen!!
a very frequently occurring bug is that after uploading a gpx file via USB (i do not use Bandcamp), the route does not show up in the route list; same issue for waypoints . this bug makes the unit unreliable for me. I've already had several instances where I had to re-erase and re-upload gpx files. I suspect that the EDM folder is somehow interfering here. Often, the unit reboots after uploading routes and disconnecting from USB, as if importing routes triggers a bug.
[*}whenever a route is selected ( not when uploading a route, as told by support staff), all its waypoints are added to the waypoint list. also, all opened routes and their waypoints are accumulated in the WPTS.gpx file. BUT as a result, opening many routes with many route points each ultimately results in inability to manually mark a new waypoint (waypoint memory full)! There is no way to erase this condition without USB access, which is a critical issue for someone out in the wild without computer access. Reported to Garmin, their suggested workaround is to upload tracks rather than routes!
map: when measuring distances, the cardinal direction is often wrong (e.g. N should be NE). why not replace with the bearing?
distance measurement allows to enter an estimated speed, but the computed time does not show the hours (HH:MM:SS), only minutes and seconds (MM:SS)! try it with waypoints far apart and slow speeds.
under very low power conditions, the unit seems to enter an endless loop of reboots.
north reference modes cannot be changed
waypoints cannot always be deleted
the Android Explore app gives no progress feedback other than "syncing collections (whatever)"
the "lost satellite" warning is extremely irritating and rather useless. it interrupts the user flow because although it disappears after a while, if the user happens to have to press the ENTER key while the message appears, the ENTER keys suddenly becomes the key to acknowledge the condition; the user might not have noticed the issue! there is a risk that the user finally presses the ENTER key too often, just to get rid of the (useless) message. Therefore, PLEASE remove the "OK" message, just indicate it in the status bar (top of the screen) (and issue a sound, maybe). the user cannot do much about a lost satellite; and there IS an indication of satellite status in the status bar (in the map page).
for some reason the overall odometer cannot be reset. (the trip odometer can, however).
support tried to explain that it might be risky to skip a firmware update, because Explore might no longer be able to perform further updates!!! seen the crippled way of firmware version management, I classify this as a critical bug. an inexperienced user should not be facing the danger to skip intermediate updates: updates should automatically progress with all intermediate updates applied logically. this is a very smelly bug that might hide a weak developer team.
therefore, it is bad to assume that the unit is permanently attached via Bluetooth and will always receive updates. this is not acceptable for a unit designed to navigate the wild and that might be weeks out in the open with no access to civilisation, so to speak!
Improvements
when manipulating the power switch (eg to toggle watch mode) the backlight might accidentally switch on during daylight; this is likely to be unnoticed due to bright light conditions, meanwhile causing unneeded battery drain. whenever the backlight is on, indicate that in the status line. otherwise it is almost impossible to assess whether the backlight is (needlessly) switched on. the status could indicate "off/nvg/low/high".
track recording on/off should be located in the map menu, not deep in the setup menu. I often have to toggle this settings because I do not want to record everything (battery!)
a negative screen mode (similar to the startup screen) might further improve battery/power consumption?
when not connected (to a sensor), simply hide related data fields such as TEMP, HEART etc; they clutter the list. similarly, add an option to hide jumpmaster fields, as these are quite specialised. to give an example where this happens: the LOCATION1/2 field/option is only displayed for the full screen page.
the trip computer could benefit from a Profiles option, so that I can switch between different profiles rather than having to change displayed fields all the time. E.g a "car" profile, a "walking" profile, a "bike" profile", etc. Preferably with the possibility to create several profiles. a mini compass might be a nice extra field.
the user manual is very sparse on connectivity.
speaking of connectivity, i do not need to manage my phone from the unit! I am not interested in SMS, alarms, call notifications etc!!! this is a waste of (brains, CPU and memory) resources that my phone can handle perfectly.
in the track list, mark the track that is currently displayed in the map so that it can easily be removed. currently, the user can show a track on the map (separately from following a route or track) but to remove the track from the map, the user has to visit all tracks to find which one has the option "HIDE ON MAP"
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