Clarification on GPS mode?

I have a Fenix 7S SS and have been using Auto Select for my trail runs and hikes. I live in the PNW so lots of mountains and forests.

The specs say:

GPS Only: Up to 37 hours/46 hours with solar**
All Satellite Systems: Up to 26 hours/30 hours with solar*
All Satellite Systems + Multi-band: Up to 15 hours/16 hours with solar**

And the manual says:

GPS Only

Enables the GPS satellite system.
All Systems
Enables multiple satellite systems. Using multiple satellite systems together offers increased performance in challenging environments and faster position acquisition than using GPS only. However, using multiple systems can reduce battery life more quickly than using GPS only.
All + Multi-Band
Enables multiple satellite systems on multiple frequency bands. Multi-band systems use multiple frequency bands and allow for more consistent track logs, improved positioning, improved multi-path errors, and fewer atmospheric errors when using the watch in challenging environments.

NOTE: Not available for all watch models.
Auto Select
Enables the watch to use SatIQ technology to dynamically select the best multi-band system based on your environment. The Auto Select setting offers the best positioning accuracy while still prioritizing battery life.

So is auto selection basically the All+Multi-band most of the time, then? I find my battery life falls much more in line with the 15hr estimate.. though I'd have expected to get more using the auto select mode...

Top Replies

silentvoyager 9 months ago in reply to Kaitlyn +1

Yes, that's why I bought 7X. I can use it in multi-band mode for up to 30 hours. I switch to All Systems only when running a 100 mile ultra.

But I should add that All Systems would likely be OK for…

All Replies

0 Senecio75 9 months ago

Auto select is exactly that. I it use multiband when required and default to all systems when it doesn't need multiband. As you are in a hilly / mountainous area then your watch is most likely using multi-band frequently hence the higher battery usage.

0 Kaitlyn 9 months ago in reply to Senecio75

Hmm... I wonder how "conservative" it is to always be defaulting to multi-band then. I might have to do some more testing because I do wish I had more battery life, but also can appreciate an accurate track!

Now I only need to borrow 2 more identical fenix 7s so that I can compare how GPS, All systems, and multi-band ACTUALLY compare with my typical routes and terrain :)

0 silentvoyager 9 months ago

I live in PNW too and I use multi-band most of the time. Mountains are covered with tall evergreen trees with dense canopy here, which is difficult for GPS reception. I think your watch ends up using multi-band most of the time when running in Auto Select mode.

0 Kaitlyn 9 months ago in reply to silentvoyager

So just to be clear you use multi-band, not all satellite systems?

it really takes such a massive hit to battery life! :(

0 silentvoyager 9 months ago in reply to Kaitlyn

Yes, that's why I bought 7X. I can use it in multi-band mode for up to 30 hours. I switch to All Systems only when running a 100 mile ultra.

But I should add that All Systems would likely be OK for hiking activities.