GPSrChive Discussion Forum

GPSMAP 66s/st Firmware Update 9.60 released 17NOV21:

Changes made from version 7.60 to 9.60:

• Added support for creating courses. Courses can be navigated point to point like a track, or using map data like a route.

• Added support for syncing courses with Garmin Explore. Requires updated Garmin Explore app.

• Added ability to convert routes and tracks to courses.

• Added ability to pair to Garmin Explore without first pairing to Garmin Connect Mobile. Requires updated Garmin Explore app.

• Added option to search for POIs near a selected city.

• Added on course and off course alerts to track navigation.

• Added support for Connect IQ 3.1.

• Improved status bar to show paired sensors instead of only enabled sensors.

• Improved bluetooth device names in sensor setup.

• Fixed possible issues with live geocache lists.

• Fixed possible issues returning to the adventure review map from another page.

• Fixed time data when copying tracks in reverse.

• Fixed issue where route list would not update after route was deleted.

• Fixed issue with keyboard language not persisting through power cycles.

• Fixed an issue deleting adventures that contain routes.

• Fixed possible issue with elapsed time when recording is paused.

• Fixed possible shutdown selecting Current Activity from the Recorded Activities app.

• Fixed issue where messages would appear during power-down.

• Fixed pressure labels for hectopascals.

• Fixed possible issue with missing track stats in GPX files.

• Fixed issue selecting the first point on the active route page.

• Fixed possible shutdown on keyboard page.

• Fixed display issue on photo viewer page.

• Fixed recording with expedition mode when auto-start is off.

• Fixed issue where archived tracks could not be deleted.

• Fixed issue with LiveTrack data not being sent correctly.

This update is being released in stages via Garmin Express, and should be available to everyone soon.

Please report your observations here!

GPSMAP 66s/st 9.60

Bug 124 seems corrected according to my observation.

Data fields for ambient pressure and barometer shows Pa even though settings says hectopascals. Release notes states it has been changed, but where? {added Bug 131 to Common Issues page - Gr}

Bug 73 {still present on our devices - Gr}
it's too early to call it done, but it also seems that the search has been improved.
At least i have so far not had any of those super long (10 minutes) freezes between keystrokes.
It still freezes for a number of seconds (worst i had was 2 minutes) but for now it feels a little better (unless it is pure coincidence of course)

Related to Saving activity.

I just started the unit, no gps fix yet.
From map page, press enter, then press the save icon, track and activity saved + shutdown.
The activity and track got saved but the shutdown was not expected...

Not able to reproduce it more than twice, so maybe it was temporary. {also unable to reproduce - Gr}


I also noticed that the activity is no longer saving one point every second when there is no GPS fix.
Previously, even if the settings were given to less frequent save the unit saved one point every second if there was no GPS fix, filling up the log.
One step forward!

Bug 121. i cannot see it any longer (did see it earlier). {confirmed - Gr}




PS, i cannot see that issue after saving which is mentioned above.

According to my observations, the reception of GPS satellites has significantly improved in firmware 9.60.

Just did some testing
Old version - new version
Within 10 minutes of time to change

Best practice would be 2 units compared at same time

I could NOT see any difference

What was your time difference between old version and new version

Maybe the sat position has changed meanwhile and therefore the reception is better

I compared both screenshots

Hi.
I am in a five-story building on the third floor, in the middle of the building. With firmware 7.60, to catch satellites, you had to go to the window. After updating to 9.60 satellites are connected stably even in the back of the room, it is about 4 meters from the window. This is what I paid attention to. But perhaps this is a feature of my device, the weather, the position of the satellites, or something else. But the fact remains. The device has become more stable to connect to satellites. Although of course this is not an axiom, these are just my observations.

The unit has a GPS receiver with it’s own firmware. GPS information is delivered from the GPS reciever to the mapping computer via internal serial interface. Firmware 9.60 is for the mapping (graphics computer).

I am sure, Alexander knows this


I list the 2 versions below:
---------------------------------
Software Version 7.60 vs 9.60
GPS Software Version is 2.80 on both Versions
CIQ= 3.0.12 vs 3.1.9 Connect IQ https://apps.garmin.com/de-AT/

Thank you for your attention, of course I know that the GPS 2.80 software is in both firmwares. I repeat, I just described what I noticed after the update. There may be many explanations for this, perhaps the previous firmware was not installed correctly, but you never know what. Don't worry, I just shared an observation.
Good luck.

Hi.
I just noticed a small change in firmware 9.60 compared to 7.60 and earlier.
Saved tracks now contain Moving average and Calories for the track. Previously these two informations were only in saved activities.