Fenix 6 Pro battery life as a Bike Computer

how much battery life can i expect from a fenix 6 pro while being used as a bike computer. I would be using gps, connected to a seperate HR monitor and using this as a speed & distance display while biking (in lieu of a bike computer) . I will be competing in the leadville 100 this year and want to know if this watch can last the full 12 hours being used as described. Thanks in Advanced!

Top Replies

eezytiger over 4 years ago +5

Oh, and if you don't have a bike mount and want a cheap solution then pipe lagging can work well.
Former Member over 4 years ago +3
- Tactix Delta
- + O-Synce ANT+ Speed
- + Garmin HRM Pro
- + Garmin Vector 3
- + Garmin Tempe
- + Garmin Varia RTL 510
- Navigation by track
- GPS + GLONASS
- 1 sec write
- Ride Time 6:59:54
- Total Time 8:39:41
- from 100% to
…
eezytiger over 4 years ago +2

Specs say up to 36 hours in GPS mode. This will be reduced somewhat if you are displaying maps for navigation, using backlight extensively and have a permanent phone connection for live tracking or music…

All Replies

0 A.V over 3 years ago in reply to 5135968

How did you get that graph ?

0 5135968 over 3 years ago in reply to A.V

https://analyze.dcrainmaker.com/

If you don't have it, pm me your .FIT file and I'll do it for you

0 A.V over 3 years ago in reply to 5135968

So it is in FIT. Will analyse it then :)
Did encoded using Garmin Java SDK and coverted it to CSV.
Let me get familiar with that CSV format and bring some data :)

0 5135968 over 3 years ago in reply to A.V

Great!

I have just done a two hour indoor ride with HRM + power meter while browsing here so I will have a look at how much just sensors with no GPS uses. Then we can figure out if its the GPS or sensors that is consuming more power.

I don't think 4.5% with two sensors + GPS is hugely excessive but it does seem a bit higher than usual.

0 A.V over 3 years ago in reply to 5135968

The only problem i got is - i could do 8+ hour ride before without worrying about battery level. (with navigation)
Now after 3 hours i am worrying whether i am going to make it till finish (relying on navigation) with that battery consumption.
Removes any joy of ride.

And it is clear that GARMIN did mess up with lat 2 upgrades.

0 A.V over 3 years ago in reply to 5135968

Seems like in order to record Battery level properly - i need to add data field for that - as currentluy no good source of data in FIT file.

battery_voltage	65535	V
battery_voltage	65535	V
battery_voltage	65535	V
battery_voltage	65535	V
battery_voltage	65535	V
battery_voltage	65535	V
battery_voltage	65535	V

battery_level	255	%
battery_level	255	%
battery_level	255	%
battery_level	100	%
battery_level	255	%
battery_level	255	%
battery_level	255	%

;(

I guess 65k+ is unknown / incorrect value / open circuit (just guessing based on my knowledge to Analog Sensors and open / close circuits & Modbus / Serial connectivity)

0 5135968 over 3 years ago in reply to A.V

This is the 2 hour indoor ride I just did - obviously no GPS, sensors are Garmin HRM Pro + power / cadence from a set of Favero Assioma Duo

0 A.V over 3 years ago

Another Bike ride with heavy battery consumption
Software version : 21.80
Power saving mode : Jacket Mode (modified) : Music : Off, Phone : Off, WiFi : Off, Wrist HR : Off , Backlight : Default system. (4 secs only)
Bike ride at the beginning of the ride was showing 45h of battery
Moving Time : 10:00:10
Elapsed Time 14:30:44
Distance : 202km
Elevation : 1900m
Battery Consumption : 100% to 1%

Based on fact that since last 2 upgrades there was change on BT, and i experienced a lot of BT issues since then - i belive Disabling phone in Power Manager was a good choice as based on my previous rides (Moving Time : 5:39:56,Total Time : 7:36:05,Battery Consumption 100% to 4%) i knew it will be good thing to try.

Still - this is completely wrong as nowhere near to what is stated here : With already applied limitation (phone disconnected during activity etc)
It is still 50% lower than specs.

Battery life	Smartwatch: Up to 14 days/16 days with solar* Battery saver watch mode: Up to 48 days/80 days with solar* GPS: Up to 36 hours/40 hours with solar GPS and music: Up to 10 hours Max battery GPS mode: Up to 72 hours/93 hours with solar Expedition GPS activity: Up to 28 days/36 days with solar* * Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions ** Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions

Battery life

Smartwatch: Up to 14 days/16 days with solar*
Battery saver watch mode: Up to 48 days/80 days with solar*
GPS: Up to 36 hours/40 hours with solar**
GPS and music: Up to 10 hours
Max battery GPS mode: Up to 72 hours/93 hours with solar**
Expedition GPS activity: Up to 28 days/36 days with solar*

* Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions
** Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions

I guess this is last Garmin product i have purchased.

0 mano7042 over 3 years ago

Should do, I ride regular +4 hour rides, with HRM strap, power meter and GPS and never have issues

0 A.V over 3 years ago in reply to mano7042

Maybe for now - and for your needs .
Wait for the moment you will need to rely on it - then you might change your mind

Last ride i did with friend - he had Wahoo bike computer (cheapest available) and where i had to worry whether my battery will last, but also i struggle with it (Direction arrow was constantly behind me and GPS delayed - on regullar basis where cycling faster, his GPS was fine and spot on. Also Garmin Turn by Turn simply doesn't work. as 1) delayed, 2) pass turn notification to turn confuse you, 3) notification take space of the screen for long time - so if you have multiple turn you will struggle.
I remained optimistic for long time - but after seing live - i am no longer wondering why all cyclist move to Wahoo - Garmin don't care about users. Just invest in influencers to push sales. that is the truth.