Running + GPS + Bluetooth battery usage

[PatrickNSF]

For those considering an AW Series 2 to use as a running watch sans iPhone, here are some preliminary stats on battery usage –

Did this week's long, slow distance run @13.5 miles in 2:13:29 (9'52"/mi) w/ iPhone turned off completely. GPS and Music through bluetooth were on. Battery drained 60% (from 78% to 18%). Only unusual factor was a lot of screen glancing because I was trying to keep my pace about 1'30" slower than marathon pace (though I bonked the last few miles). Hope that's helpful.

 

[profets]

Sounds like a significant battery hit for a 2:13 run. Did Apple say you can get 5 hours of GPS running from the battery?

I've done a few short runs this weekend. First time, watch only (no phone), music playing from watch as well the battery dropped 8% for 20 minutes. Second run, was 30 minutes, just the watch, no music, 10% battery drop.

Seems like it would be cutting it close to squeeze a marathon out of the watch.

 

[Bob190]

Sounds about right. I don't think the quoted five hours factored in music playback. If it gets four hours with music, GPS, and HR, that's more than enough for me .. I rarely do runs over 2.5 hours. I'll do bike rides over five hours, but always have my phone on rides.

So far I am very impressed with the watch. Did a two-hour ride this AM, and the battery only drained 10%. I also did a 30 lap swim in my 14yd backyard pool (yes, you can actually choose a pool size less than 17yds .. something you can't do with a Garmin device) and still have 49% battery left. I'll throw it on the charger before bed and it will be at 100% in 45 minutes and ready for sleep tracking with HeartWatch.

 

[profets]

^How was the watch when it came to turning at the end of the swimming lap? I'm pretty excited to try out the lap swimming function tomorrow morning. Been using the watch for lane swimming for a year now and always just resorted to logging it as an "other" workout.

 

[Bob190]

^How was the watch when it came to turning at the end of the swimming lap? I'm pretty excited to try out the lap swimming function tomorrow morning. Been using the watch for lane swimming for a year now and always just resorted to logging it as an "other" workout.

Not sure I completely understand the question, but it did count the laps correctly. HR was a bit spotty which I expected, but it did capture HR most of the time. I think there will probably be some better 3rd party swimming apps eventually. It's just frustrating that you can't export the swim data to Strava. I tried using RunGap and it worked ok to send the data to Garmin Connect, but not Strava. I wish Apple would realize that most people that are serious about training use sites like Strava, GC, Training Peaks etc. to analyze their data. Apple needs to build an export functionality into the Activity app.

 

[PatrickNSF]

Sounds like a significant battery hit for a 2:13 run. Did Apple say you can get 5 hours of GPS running from the battery?

I think this represents a worse case scenario situation, relying on the AW's GPS and bluetooth exclusively. In the real world I don't expect that it will impact me much – I always run with my phone, and I still intend to race and do speed work – maybe long runs – with my Garmin. Honestly, I probably could get away racing with it in a pinch, since I typically don't race with music anyway.

Since we're accustomed to charging our AWs every night anyway, I think this could work for many people as a sole running watch. Screen visibility was a marked improvement over Series 0, especially in the midday California sun. (Not sure how that applies to the sapphire screens.) Bluetooth was a little glitchy as first, but then worked solidly after the first 5 or 10 minutes. Throw a cell chip in their for emergencies calls and texts and I'd run with it all the time

 

[exxxviii]

I wish Apple would realize that most people that are serious about training use sites like Strava, GC, Training Peaks etc. to analyze their data. Apple needs to build an export functionality into the Activity app.

I bet that there is close to a 100% relationship of anyone who uses a wrist device to capture a swim probably exports all their activity to Strava.

 

[lordofthereef]

I've been getting 7% in an hour run consistently. But without Bluetooth. 42mm series 2

 

[profets]

Not sure I completely understand the question, but it did count the laps correctly. HR was a bit spotty which I expected, but it did capture HR most of the time. I think there will probably be some better 3rd party swimming apps eventually. It's just frustrating that you can't export the swim data to Strava. I tried using RunGap and it worked ok to send the data to Garmin Connect, but not Strava. I wish Apple would realize that most people that are serious about training use sites like Strava, GC, Training Peaks etc. to analyze their data. Apple needs to build an export functionality into the Activity app.

Thanks - yes that's what I meant Was curious how accurate it was at counting laps.

Agreed on exporting. I do like that all workouts I do end up in Activity which is a single repository so to speak, but I definitely see the need for more advanced data being able to go to something like Training Peaks.

I think this represents a worse case scenario situation, relying on the AW's GPS and bluetooth exclusively. In the real world I don't expect that it will impact me much – I always run with my phone, and I still intend to race and do speed work – maybe long runs – with my Garmin. Honestly, I probably could get away racing with it in a pinch, since I typically don't race with music anyway.

Since we're accustomed to charging our AWs every night anyway, I think this could work for many people as a sole running watch. Screen visibility was a marked improvement over Series 0, especially in the midday California sun. (Not sure how that applies to the sapphire screens.) Bluetooth was a little glitchy as first, but then worked solidly after the first 5 or 10 minutes. Throw a cell chip in their for emergencies calls and texts and I'd run with it all the time

Good points. I also usually carry the phone for long runs, more to be connected in case of emergency than anything else. Would be pretty cool to see a cellular connected watch one day.

I bet that there is close to a 100% relationship of anyone who uses a wrist device to capture a swim probably exports all their activity to Strava.

Lol I must be one of the odd ones out. I do a lot of lane swimming with a watch, but never export the data. Though I do agree with your point.

 

[exxxviii]

Lol I must be one of the odd ones out. I do a lot of lane swimming with a watch, but never export the data. Though I do agree with your point.

Wow, you probably are rare. The real swimmers I know use a wall clock and no watch. The tri swimmers (adult onset swimmers) use a watch and export everything.

 

[Bob190]

I think this represents a worse case scenario situation, relying on the AW's GPS and bluetooth exclusively. In the real world I don't expect that it will impact me much – I always run with my phone, and I still intend to race and do speed work – maybe long runs – with my Garmin. Honestly, I probably could get away racing with it in a pinch, since I typically don't race with music anyway.

I refuse to run with my 6s Plus, so I will definitely be using the AW as my primary running device. Like you, I don't race with music so I will save some battery life there. I hope some of the 3rd party apps will help with speed work, though the 5s HR recording interval is a drawback for sure .. but I can always use a chest strap if needed.

 

[profets]

Wow, you probably are rare. The real swimmers I know use a wall clock and no watch. The tri swimmers (adult onset swimmers) use a watch and export everything.

I use a watch currently to time myself and get an idea of the pace I've done. Lol I used to go no watch and just watch the wall clock.

 

[matrix07]

Sounds like a significant battery hit for a 2:13 run. Did Apple say you can get 5 hours of GPS running from the battery?

Thinks 5 hours when you turn off HR but not sure.