I don't want GPS on when I run

[Needler]

I know GPS is off by default unless the mode you choose (Run or Hike) is selected.  I hate wasting my battery every time I run in my neighborhood.  

Can an I select the "Treadmill" option even though I am not running on a treadmill to avoid triggering the GPS function yet still get accurate data?

[WendyB]

Just dont turn it on. You wont get maps etc. But if you dont want it do not turn it on. Plain and simple

[WendyB]

In other words do not go into exercise mode.

[Needler]

From what I have read, it is automatically "on" for Run and Hike. I don't need GPS in my neighborhood! If you know how to turn it off, you'd be the first.

Sent from my iPhone

[Needler]

So when I go running, I don't want to keep track of my run. Really?

Sent from my iPhone

[heathgk]

it has to be on to "track what you are doing" for steps,jog etc etc. The exercise mode tracks and uploads to google maps.

so just run without exercise mode and see how your battery life is, then try with exercise mode on see if you can tell the difference.

Alternatively just dont run with the surge on

[Emujo]

A couple of suggestions...

1. The Surge is pretty good at detecting when you are walking/running and will track the basic stats on its own (steps, HR), but without the GPS feature running you will not get more advanced stats (if you are keeping track). If you are just running around your neighborhood then I can see why you wouldn't need the GPS going.Try using the surge in any of the modes that doesn't turn on the GPS feature.

2. If you carry your phone with you, the Fitbit App can be used to track your run, this gives you all the GPS data the surge tracks, but you aren't killing your battery. (Trade off is you are using data, but not too much). Emujo

[YojanaFitbit · Accepted solution]

I'm glad to see your comments here in the Forums @Needler. Welcome! Thanks a lot for the help @heathgk, @WendyB and @Emujo! 

All those suggestions are great! Remember that if you don't want to waist your Surge battery life using the "Run" option from Multi-Sport you can use "Workout". In your Surge you can also activate the SmartTrack option, so your Surge will be tracking your Runs automatically without using GPS. 

We recommend turning SmartTrack off when you're not using it to preserve your battery life. 

1. From the Fitbit app dashboard, tap the Exercise tile. This is the tile that says “Track exercise,” or, if you already tracked an exercise, shows the exercise type and information.
2. Tap the gear icon (not the stopwatch) in the top right corner. Tap the exercise you're looking for and turn off the auto-recognition setting.

Hope this helps! 

[Needler]

Wouldn't running without the Surge on defeat the purpose of having one? Do you mean I should just enter it manually afterwards?

Sent from my iPhone

[Emujo]

I mean leaving the Surge out of GPS mode, not powering it off..LOL, that would make very little sense. The GPS isn't used for all exercises, you can determine this by selecting one of the monitored modes and you will see the GPS Icon is not displayed. Even if you use the Fitbit App to track your run, you have to have the surge on to get credited for your steps and elevations. Emujo