In this recent post, https://the5krunner.com/2016/08/05/navigation-fest-edge-820-and-others-do-9-hours-of-trail-navigation/, I managed to get about 8 hours of battery using turn-by-turn (TBT) navigation – GPS+GLONASS, HRV/per-second recording, HRM and a PM. It lasted between 7.5 or 8.5 hours.
I tried a VERY similar route again today (near identical). This time I managed only 6 hours of battery. The only material difference was that the HRM was the STRYD (HRV) and I knew the route very well and made virtually no wrong turns. So you would have thought it would have lasted longer? Especially as I turned off quite a few of the myriad of other sensors I have paired to the 820 (firmware v3.10).
well 6 hours is a LITTLE unfair. That was the point at which it said the battery was nearly out. As I had stopped anyway at that point I though it was a good time to turn another device on for replacement navigation. it transpired that there was 9% of the 820’s battery left…say a generous half an hour??? Still that 6.5 hours vs 8ish last time.
This time though the 820 was good on the NAV front and I had no lock up or reboots. The screen WAS SLOW sometimes re-displaying the map but fine for the purposes of today.
Mystery.
When the 820 is sweet. It’s real sweet. I do like it.
Last Updated on 31 August 2016 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
