Smart recording algorithm during runs

Not really a question but recently I've noticed something interesting in terms of saving GPS tracks. Previously we had to choose between smart recording and 1-second recording and while I was generally happy with smart during hikes and other slow activities, I always wanted to have the ability to switch to 1-second during runs because the track looked better with more frequent data saving. I just realized that somewhere at the end of 2022 (November/December) Garmin changed the algorithm (I confirmed it on Fenix 7 but it was not changed on 6 and 5 Plus) and now even with smart recording it always saves data every 1, 2 or 3 seconds (depending on the length of the run) no matter what you do. I only run max 10K so the interval could be longer for marathons but basically it makes me more than happy as I didn't like 1-second recording for all those long back-country skiing and hiking activities with frequent stops. Now we have the best of both worlds :)

0 C.sco over 2 years ago

Just as an FYI, there is no reason to use Smart Recording on a Fenix 7 or Epix 2. It serves one function, and one function only - reducing the file size of the saved activity by deleting GPS points that it deems redundant or unnecessary. That's all it does. There's a mistaken belief that it somehow improves battery life - but it does not.

Smart Recording is a relic left from the bygone days of watch storage space being measured in MB. Now that we have 16-32GB, it's totally unnecessary feature which should not stop existing on these watches, but also definitely should stop being the default setting that comes on the watch.

0 Dr Phil over 2 years ago

ted360 said:
smart recording it always saves data every 1, 2 or 3 seconds (depending on the length of the run

It was never anything to do with the length of the run. The frequency that data was saved depending on whether there was a change in one of several variables. Thus, long or short straight runs with little change in direction, pace, elevation, etc got points up to 8s apart whereas a run long short or otherwise with lots of changes could have points saved every second even on smart recording.
As noted, with more space available and also the watch’s better ability to overwrite older activities there is no need to use smart recording. Changing to 1-sec recording is one of the first setting I’ve changed since I got my first Felix 5 and since.

0 ted360 over 2 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

Yeah, it used to be like that, now on F7 it's not, it saves points even without any changes in direction. I prefer smart recording for slow activities with a lot of stops. Tracks actually don't look that messy.

0 ted360 over 2 years ago in reply to C.sco

Oh and I think it's still there because cloud storage costs Garmin money. Smart recording uses 4-5 times less storage so when you take into account millions of activities per month, it adds up.

0 C.sco over 2 years ago in reply to ted360

I agree, that's probably the reason it's still there (and the reason it's the default setting)