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Using my Forerunner 935 on a week long backpacking trip - I have a few questions...

mocs123
over 5 years ago

Athough I have had the 935 for several years, I'm really a novice user and just track my training runs (with a few bike rides mixed in) and dayhikes.  For backpacking I normally use an old Highgear A/B/C watch, but I really think it has all that I need for a week long backpack where I would rally like to be able to use the GPS to track my route (I'll be off trail).   

How many milliamps is the 935 battery?  I assume I'd have to charge it every night

Is there a screen where the temp displays (I like the time and temp at night)

Is there a display that can give me total daily mileage, mph, altitude, and time all at the same time?

Thanks for your help!

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Hi. 

    Are you wanting to do it in one continuous file? If so, I'd use the Resume Later option at the end of each day's hike.

    I used mine for a 5-day hike, using 1s recording. I saved the file each day and charged the watch overnight.

    Garmin quotes: "Forerunner 935 features up to 21 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 44 hours in UltraTrac battery saver mode."

    Remember, these values are under optimal conditions so I'd say 15 hours in GPS mode is more realistic. If you have access to a charger, I wouldn't bother with UltraTrac as it will result in an inferior trace.

    There is a temperature sensor inside the 935 but it's not really representative of the ambient temperature. It gets influenced by the surrounding electronics and your body heat. Garmin makes a separate Tempe sensor that you could pair to the 935 to get better results. 

    As for the display, you can easily create your own or modify one of the existing ones in the Hike mode.

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Excellent reply by KJ.  Not much to add except that you could search through the hike data fields and applications in the Garmin Connect IQ Store to see which ones you like best and test them out before your trip.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to KevinJames

    Thank you.  I was planning on just doing a track for each day, which I think I should be able to export the .gpx file and stich them together in Caltopo.    

    I will be bringing a small battery pack - I'll have my iPhone 6S (anchient I know) with me too that I'll use as a GPS in airplane mode.  My primary navigation will be paper maps and compass.  Does anyone know how big the 935 battery is?  I'm trying to decide how big of battery pack I need to bring.

    I'll check out the temp sensor or look at an alternate thermometer.  I know the temp isn't accurate while wearing it - It's way off on my Highgear as well, but I set it outside my tent at night and always check the time and temp when I wake up during the night.

    I didn't know I could modify or create a display on the watch.  I guess I need to download the users manual (I'm not sure where my hard copy is) and figure that out.

    I appreciate your help!

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to mocs123

    I believe it's 255 mAh