Battery life when using GPS

[Tonymcg]

I have a new Surge and have started running for 2 hours minimum.  I started with a fully charged Surge this morning and used GPS with HR turned off.  After a run lasting just over 2 hours and 20 minutes, I observed that the battery level was very low.  I am worried that runs in excess of 3 hours will leave me without GPS.

[matt9013 · Accepted solution]

Did you turn off all day sync? That can kill the battery if left on.

[Tonymcg]

Thanks Matt9013 - I have turned this function off so will see how it goes over the next couple of days......

[VivisFitbit]

Hello there @Tonymcg! Besides @matt9013's advice, I found more tips that you may find useful. How do I maximize my tracker's battery life? I'm pretty sure you'll find them useful. 

Let me know how it goes! 

[MelYow]

Hi,

I recently received a replacement Surge from FitBit because my original Surge battery failed to maintain a charge throughout a 2-hour walk.  I walk about 2 hours almost every day.  I've reviewed all the articles for improving battery life for the Surge and have implemented all of the suggestions.  I turn on Exercise / Walk when I take my walks.  When I complete my walk, even starting with my Surge fully charged, I need to re-charge it before the day is out.  The specs indicate that I should be able to get about 10 hours of GPS activity between charges.  That doesn't seem to be the case with the replacement Surge.  The battery life of the replacement Surge is about what the battery life was for my older (and presumably defective) Surge, which eventually wouldn't hold a charge throughout a 2-hour GPS walk.  I'm wondering if anyone is really getting 10 hours of GPS monitoring from a single Surge charge.  If there is a lesser model that has a better battery life, I'd be interested in that.  I had an original FitBit band, followed by a FitBit charge.  I haven't had one of the other HR FitBits.  I am interesting in having the HR functionality. I'm just not happy with the battery life of the Surge.  I would appreciate any other suggestions.  

[SunsetRunner]

i didn't check completly, but i think 10 hours is optimistic.

8 hours is more realist.

it can depend, probably, on the environment.

trees, high buildings ? maybe more consumption.

[MelYow]

Thanks for the reply. I'd be happy with 8. Fully charged at noon yesterday (Friday). GPS walk for 1.5 hours yesterday. Battery is below half this morning at 9:00am. I'm sure that the battery will totally discharge if I walk another 1.5 hours this morning. This is a replacement for the original Surge that failed after 8 months use. Very frustrated and wish that I hadn't spent the money to get the surge. Basically I need HR function and steps.

Sent from Mel's iPad (which might be on the golf course!)

[SunsetRunner]

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@MelYow wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I'd be happy with 8. Fully charged at noon yesterday (Friday). GPS walk for 1.5 hours yesterday. Battery is below half this morning at 9:00am. I'm sure that the battery will totally discharge if I walk another 1.5 hours this morning. This is a replacement for the original Surge that failed after 8 months use. Very frustrated and wish that I hadn't spent the money to get the surge. Basically I need HR function and steps.

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the battery indicator is not accurate

it has 4 positions : full, half, nearly empty, time to fill