FR945 - Battery life (FW 5.00)

I like battery life optimization, so previously I tested what the typical battery life is that I could get from the 945 by turning everything off and setting the watch face to not show seconds, thus theoretically updating every minute. It turns out to be about 25 days typical with the previous software. With the updated software to 5.00 with the same setting I am getting about 5 days. The battery life is considerably shorter and I am actually looking to go back to SW version 4.40 due to this.  

The battery life I get is maybe not what is advertised, but certainly not bad either! I have my FR945 for already 1,5 years and use it 24/7. In normal watch-mode, I noticed that there are two things that seem to consume a lot of battery:

• ConnectIQ Watch faces --> Just use a built-in watch face if you want to save battery-life.
• Bluetooth phone notifications vibration --> I get many messages and call thoughout the day and it obviously depends on how much you receive, but the vibrator in the watch consumes a lot of energy. Switching off the bluetooth notifications all together saves a massive amount of battery.

Battery-life during activities can also be optimized, without going to UltraTrac that is:

• Using the map screen constantly. As you move, the maps need to be rendered and all the pixels of the screen need to be updated. This is a major energy consumer. Switch to a normal data screen and only go to the map screen when you actually need it will make the battery last longer.
• ConnectIQ data fields. I noticed that there are many nice data screens out there, but when I use them in an activity I typically get less battery life.
• Life track. Although my wife doesn't let me go out on long runs without, it does cost a fair amount of battery life. Probably because the BT-radio is activated more frequently. This is also why music consumes sooo much, because of the constant BT communication.

I know this might sound silly, but, in general, the more you do with the watch, the quicker the battery will be drained. Frequently scrolling through widgets, interacting with BT notifications, using watch faces that constantly show a lot of data, not to forget using the backlight and of course many GPS activities.

During a GPS activity, the overall battery consumption it between 4% and 6% per hour (using OHR, BT on, no connectIQ stuff, very little map screen and music off). Even after 1,5 years.

Custom watchfaces CAN be a drain so that might have been the issue.

I use my own custom watchface though and still get abouot 12 days of battery (incl 3 runs a week of about an hour each).

OHR is on
PO is off (PO drains battery like crazy)
BT off (I only turn it on when needed, don't use my FR945 as a smartwatch so no need to keep it on all the time as that will use more battery)
Backlight on when flicking wrist/pressing button
Backlight brightness at 5% (brightness has major impact on battery as well)
During activity, GPS only (good enough for me and save battery)

Big drainers:

Pulse Oxygen
Custom watchfaces

Using extra battery (wouldn't call it draining, just a tradeoff)

Bluetooth
Glonass/Galileo next to GPS

Btw, when your watch is just charged the battery usage is not really representive... the first few % take much longer to deplete. So I think the pics will adjust a bit.

FlipStone said:

BT off (I only turn it on when needed, don't use my FR945 as a smartwatch so no need to keep it on all the time as that will use more battery)

This aspect is most of why you're getting 12 days of use I suspect.

UPDATE

Since yesterday the status is the following

In the meantime I did a 2 hours run with GPS + GLONASS ON and also a new BT SW has been updated overnight.

From my end I‘m now fine with my battery behavior and settings.