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Disappointing battery life

I have just upgraded from a Fenix 5 to a Fenix 5 plus and so far I am finding the battery life to be a lot less than I would expect.

I used to get nearly 2 weeks battery life out of the Fenix 5 but so far the Fenix 5 plus has used 25% in 2 days, both watches are set up and used exactly the same.

I know the Fenix 5 plus is supposed to have slightly less battery life but at this rate it is not even going to last a week.

Does anyone know if this will improve if I cycle the battery a couple of times or if this is normal for this model

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0 JSRUNNER_ over 6 years ago

Battery life still not great on my 5+ charde Sunday afternoon - now wednesday morning and Battery at 64% after 50 Mins of GPS activity and 30 Mins non-GPS Swimming. My last charge gave me 2 Hours of GPS and 2.5 Hours of non-GPS swimming over 7 days. No music used etc. This contracts with my 935 which is over a year old and gave me 12 Days with 3 Hrs GPS Activity and 3Hrs non-GPS swimming

0 Skynet5 over 6 years ago

That really isn't good. I would say you have a sub standard battery. I think too early for me to say I have a good battery.

I'm 55% after 7.5days with over an hour of GPS.

I don't have BT on and also have a simple watch face, Garmin one, with no fields other than date and battery meter.

0 dxbydy over 6 years ago

5+ here. 15% left after 8 days and 4 hours GPS+Galileo running. Bluetooth notifications and 24hr heart rate.

0 MiGR73cz over 6 years ago

Mine 5X plus after six hours from Garmin charger has 93% (only Garmin watch-face, no activity). Not good. Hopefully the battery will stabilise after more cycles.
BTW: do you remember whether your device was charged out of the box? Mine was completely discharged.

0 Skynet5 over 6 years ago

Completely and utterly dead. I have a power pack with me when I bought it. Sat in the car for an hour trying to get it to charge. Nothing. Took it straight back to the shop who thought of plugging it into their computer. It immediately switched on and started behaving with 1% power. I then plugged it in to my pack and it charged all the way up to 100%. See my earlier posts a 2/3e weeks a go for the details.

I'm on 54% now.

But again this is without HR showing (it is on though) and BT off.

I just sync daily with WiFi.

0 lucky1976 over 6 years ago

I ordered the 5+ Sapphire Titanium and it should be at my house when I finish work. I have read all 34 pages and 480 replies on this post and not sure if I should open the watch or just return it for a 2017 Fenix 5 or Suunto 9?

I am afraid of the post activity battery drain everyone is talking about. I want to use the 5+ for 12-18 ultra races so I need something dependable for at least 12 hours during activity.

If I open that package and wear the watch for a few weeks what is the return policy if the watch is affected by the battery issue?

0 Dr Phil over 6 years ago

Best people to ask that question are the people from whom you purchased it.

I think you should be alright with the 12 hrs as long as you turn off ancillary stuff like bluetooth. Not sure if you'd get 18 though as generally battery specifications tend to be optimistic.

0 SAHO over 6 years ago

lucky1976 I've had the F5+ Sapphire Titanium since late July, and in general I'm satisfied with the battery life. I have not had any issues with excessive drains of any kind, the only "issue" I've seen is that the battery meter can be somewhat confused after charging and possibly not charging to a full 100% even if the meter says so, but after a reboot it settles at what I believe is the correct value.

Typically I get a week of battery life with 24/7 smart watch/activity tracker, a few hours of outdoor exercising and a few hours of indoor exercising, both with Spotify. All bells and whistles enabled, including BT and OHR. No precautions to maximize battery life whatsoever. If I didn't wo any activities I'm sure I would get much closer to the promised up to 12 days in smart watch mode.

All in all - depending on the mix of use, my general experience is not far from what has been promised by Garmin.

0 Seren over 6 years ago

I've had the F5+ Titanium for 2 days, 88% batt after 100% charge with 1 hour of activity and lots of fiddling about on day 1 inc bluetooth. Now bluetooth/phone is off unless I need to sync an activity. Notifications off, activity tracking off. Backlight after sunset 5%.

So not bad. I expect a couple of full charge/discharge cycles will give the most accurate picture though.

Generally very happy with watch on other points, early days though. GPS very accurate for Cycling. So much better than my 820....that was terrible. Alti is a bit out...presumably it doesn't switch modes as well as a Suunto so baro drift affects it. But it's a moot point if you can calibrate against DEM and I don't do any skydiving etc.

0 JSRUNNER_ over 6 years ago

lucky1976 If I were you I'd go with the 935 if its good battery life you want - it is a cracking watch and lighter and thinner than the 5+ as well as cheaper