Coming from Fenix-1, Help needed on intervals.

I got myself a Fenix-5 after being happy with my Fenix-1 for the last four years.

On the old watch I could have a profile for skiing with a GPS interval of 1 second and another profile for hiking with a interval of 10 seconds.
Now on the Fenix-5 all I can find is a system setup where I can choose between Smart or 1-second interval. But this is a systems setting, not saved in the profile.

Does this mean that when switching profile I have to manually change the interval each time?

0 chunkywizard over 7 years ago

These days there is no need to change the recording interval really. I just keep it on 1-sec. there is an ultratrac mode if you want ultra long recording but your battery life should be fine for most activities.

0 mcalista over 7 years ago

I agree with chunkywizard - the F5 has a battery life of close to 24 hrs with 1s GPS tracking, and memory for hundreds of hours of recorded tracks. Even a long day hike will be fine with 1s recording. Ultratrac might be more useful on a multi-day backcountry expedition,

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

I got myself a Fenix-5 after being happy with my Fenix-1 for the last four years.

On the old watch I could have a profile for skiing with a GPS interval of 1 second and another profile for hiking with a interval of 10 seconds.
Now on the Fenix-5 all I can find is a system setup where I can choose between Smart or 1-second interval. But this is a systems setting, not saved in the profile.

Does this mean that when switching profile I have to manually change the interval each time?

if you go into the settings for each app, you can change the GPS settings there.

0 VHenk over 7 years ago

In the summer I do hiking trails of 8 to 10 hours a day.
At walking speed a 1-second interval seems kind of overkill. Files are 10 times larger and take 10 times longer to save and to download.

Smart interval is not the best option either because it makes the track inaccurate. It will skip large parts of the trail.
5 or 10 seconds would be ideal, I guess.

0 VHenk over 7 years ago

if you go into the settings for each app, you can change the GPS settings there.

That would be great, but all I can find in these settings is the choice between GPS+Glonass or Ultratrac

0 mcalista over 7 years ago

Ultratrac is a variable frequency GPS tracking. It samples less frequently when the internal gyroscopes and compass suggest you a travelling in a straight line, and more frequently when the watch detects you may be turning a corner. And is pretty much intended for ultramarathoners and long hikers.

But if you are concerned about track accuracy, just go with the regular GPS option - the battery and memory can handle this for 8-10 hours even at 1s sampling.

The 1s versus smart recording is really about non-GPS data - eg. heart rate, etc.