Hi zblebt
We recommend all users update to the latest version of firmware when possible. This gives you the latest features and fixes bug’s in previous versions of firmware. v1.83 is very stable and most users have updated to this software already.
As jim has said this is a software update and therefore there will be no noticable difference in current consumption by upgrading to v1.83.
I hope that helps and hopefully your boss will let you get upto date soon 
Regards
Sam A&H
