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
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- 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.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes.
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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
