Some of you know I was posting in some of the battery drain threads, and made some posts of my own after updating to v8.10 on my new 6s. I did notice some different behavior with the battery and at first I thought it was draining way too fast. (and while it was after a specific charge) it did "level off" and become "normal" (based on previous performance before v8.10) after 24hrs.
There were also many users reporting that after an activity with GPS that the battery would then drain rapidly after.. Because of COVID-19 I have not been running (only biking with the EDGE 530) but today I did do a run and wanted to report my performance. I did a 5K run and it was 28:00 of GPS & recording the activity with the run app.. AND I was using bluetooth music (BOSE Soundsport). HR data was just using the built in watch sensor, no external this time around (I was also curious about how accurate this would be vs. the Polor OH1 I normally pair with it) The music use was actually around 33 - 35min as I let it go after I clicked stop on the run while I walked back into my apartment building. Total drain was 6% and this is exactly in line (actually better than) the specs for the 6s. (6hrs of GPS & music) so, this would be apx. 8.3% per 30min according to Garmin's promise.
Very good ^
Next, I wanted to comment on the heart rate accuracy (based on me frequently using both a chest strap for my Edge 530, and the Polar OH1 arm band for running). Today, I wanted to see how just the watch did. I made SURE to make the band *tight* (borderline too tight) but not uncomfortable (if that makes sense). From my expereince of about a year of running, and using the above.. I will say I did not notice any difference at all. It seemed to me, to be just as accurate and I was very happy. In fact, I may stop using the OH1 now for runs. Time will till tell as I compare. Its also worth noting, that after my run, as I walked back to my apartment and after I had stopped the run activity I saw my HR come back down to normal ranging from 130's down to 120's etc.. I say this, because people were posting (and I am sure they are correct) that HR accuracy outside of activity was not accurate at all etc. Based on what I just saw, this was not the case here. The numbers looked exactly like they do all the other times I use external HR sensors.
Very good ^
Lastly.. the post exercise battery drain (so far) looks normal. It's been about 2hrs after I clicked "stop" on the watch and so far the % has not dropped since. So, my gut feeling is that the normal "stand by" or "smart watch" drain when not doing anything will be the same as it has been, before the activity etc. I will update this if that changes.
Very good ^
I know that some of you have had drastically different results.. and I too thought something was going on..(mainly because I saw a different pattern in how the drain would happen.) in the end all seems well. Maybe this helps, or maybe it confirms that there are in fact some defective units out there. But, I just cant understand how that would be possible. I feel like these are all just computers and if they are running the same "program" they should come up with the same result. I know there are some variables (like how the watch is charged, how tight it fits to the wrist, or even different peoples bone structure around the wrist etc.) so it makes sense there would be some differences. The real confusing thing, are the users who report negative performance AFTER updating to v8.10. This would mean, that regardless of what I said above about variables that all things being equal "x" factor would be different (worse) with the v8.10 compared to "x" on previous versions. So, perhaps this whole post is pointless, lol. I just felt compelled to update you all and take the time to do the right thing, as it feels all too often online that issues are much worse than they maybe in real world.
Thanks guys,
Travis
