Garmin fenix 3 HR ~ Actual Battery life

Charging

Actual Battery Life

   I have been using Garmin fenix 3 HR for a while, I am reporting about actual battery life.  In my usage, the battery life is about 8 ~ 10 days.  I probably need to charge it once a week.  If the remaining capacity is less than 20 %, a warning message is shown up.

   My usage is about 5 hours outdoor running with GPS, 3 hours indoor activities and basic watch / active tracker function with step and heart rate monitoring.   Then, it is about 8 ~ 10 days.  After 1 week use, the battery remaining is less than 20% and I got the warning then I charge it once a week.

   Based on the specification, 16 hours in GPS mode and about 2 weeks with daily watch / activity tracker.  Just simple calculation is about 10 days and actual battery life is almost the same as the calculation.   In a reality, I won't use it till completely empty.  So charging once a week is probably a reasonable assumption.  Based on this, it might be hard to use full 2 days in hiking.  So that people need to charge it every night in hiking.

   I just estimate the battery life for the other models from Garmin based on this experience.  Forerunner 235 can be used 11 hours in GPS mode which is about 70% of fenix 3 HR.  Also Forerunner 735XT is about 87%.  In a reality, people need to charge it every 5~6 days.  This number is almost a similar as fenix 3.   Most of hiking, actual working time is probably less than 10 hours, therefore, this battery life is probably long enough for most of cases.

   Charging once a week for normal usage, personally, it is better than Apple Watch which requires to be charged almost every day.

Garmin fenix 3 HR ~ First impression on running

 HRM-RUN

   Today, this is the first report for running with Fenix 3 HR.

   First of all, let’s look into some new features.  This is a comparison between Fenix 3 HR and Forerunner 910XT I have been using for a while.

New Features

   It is possible to use the built-in optical heart rate sensor, however, I decided to use chest-strap heart rate sensor for running.  Because it is much stable reading for running.   Thus, I got a new chest-strap based sensor “HRM-RUN” with fenix 3 HR.  The latest high-end devices from Garmin can monitor some additional running dynamics with “HRM-RUN”.  It also allows to monitor running cadence without a food-pod on a shoe.  The feature is enabled with “HRM-RUN”.   It is almost the same as my old chest-strap based heart rate monitor, but I feel a bit better than the old one.  I guess it might fit better.  But it really depends on each person.

Here is the new items we can monitor:

• Vertical Ratio
• Vertical Oscillation
• Ground Contact Time Balance
• Ground Contact Time
• Run Cadence (without food-pod)
• Temperature

   They are basically related to the running form.  I am not sure how much useful they are.  But we can get some additional information and we can check them when we are running.

VO2max / Lactate Threshold

   The other feature for running, it can estimate VO2max and Lactate threshold.   In my case, I have never measure those value in a formal method.  Thus, I cannot tell the value is reasonable or not.  But it is still useful to see the progress of training with this relative value over the training period.

   Especially, I used to do cooper test (12 minutes running) to estimate my VO2max before.  Now I can get a number with regular running training.  It is very interesting feature and they are one of a big reasons I pick this device.

After using fenix 3 HR for running

   A menu of the day was “Threshold run”.   After 10 minutes slow jog as a warming up, repeating 4 times of  5 minutes running in HR Zone 4 and 1 and half minutes running in HR Zone 2.  Then cooling down.

   The menu is from a free training plan on Garmin Connect that I have been following, “Full Marathon Level 1”.  The menu can be downloaded from Garmin Connect to the device.  Then the device can notify the training detail with alarm and vibration.  They are very convenient features during the training execution.   People also set up their own training either on the device or on Garmin Connect.  This feature exists in my old device Forerunner 910XT and I have been using it for a whole.   I am confirming that the feature is still in the new device as the same as the old device.  

Time to capture GPS satellites

   The new model can capture the GPS satellites much faster.   In the old model, it sometimes took a several minutes, but the new device can be ready within a few minutes.   I was frustrated to get the device is ready before.   The new device is significantly improve it.  This is highlighted in the device introduction and I confirmed it is really improved.

Basic operation?

   The button locations are not identical with the old device.  But basic concept to operate the device stays a similar enough.   I do not see any problem to use the new device at all.   Especially using for running is almost identical.   However, the new device can customize profile for each activity type, such as cardio in a gym, hiking and etc.   It is convenient to use the device for various spot activates. 

Overall impression

   I have been using Garmin product for a long time and I do not feel any major changes overall.   The display can be customized based on each person’s preference.   In my case, I only check, the heart rate, pace and time when I run.  The other information, I usually do not check at all.  So I do not have to customize a lot.   Only thing is my presbyopia is getting worse, therefore I just display just one item on a display at the same time.  It helps to read the information during running with a big display.  The overall size is a similar as my old Forerunner 910XT.  However, the display on the new device becomes color and quality of the display is getting better, so it is probably much clear in various situation.

   I do not have any plan to check the accuracy of the location and the heart rate.  Because it is a device from the same vendor, I think they are a similar or improved.   In a reality I cannot see any major difference for the location on a map and the heart rate data on Garmin Connect.  I do not think there is any problem for now.   Also, I do not see wrong high value reading in the beginning of training I saw in many data with Forerunner 910XT.   I will monitor this with accumulating number of tracking data.

   The other thing, the way to log the location data is “smart tracking” by default.   I plan to test “Normal mode” which is logging every second and “ultra-track mode”.   I think it is not a big problem for regular running.  However, it is possible not to log a record more than 10 seconds with “smart track mode”, therefore, if the route is not straight or bending many times, the actual running course is not the same as what it uses for the distance calculation.   In this case, the distance could be inaccurate.    If people needs more accurate data, it is probably better to use “normal tracking mode”. 

 Data on Garmin Connect

   After an activity, the tracking data will be updated through a smart phone, WiFi and / or PC to Garmin Connect, which includes the additional running dynamics data and graphs.  With the old device, I have to use PC to upload the data.  Now it is automatically uploaded via a smart phone and / or WiFi.  It is really convenient.   Also, Gamin Connect has a display to show the total time distribution for each HR Zone during an activity.  It is a good feature to check a heart rate based training as the menu defines.   I used to use own program to check it and it is automatically taking care of by the Garmin Connect with this device.

 Data example on Garmin Connect

Duration for each heart rate zone during the training

    I will continue to accumulating the data and evaluate them in detail in the future.

   Over all, there is no significant improvement, but there are many minor improvements in the new device.   The big one is collaborating with a smart phone to fit our current life style.  It is one of a good benefit for people who still use PC based device.  Although it is true the feature is not necessary, it is really convenient for many people.     

Garmin fenix 3 HR ~ as a daily watch

Standard digital watch face

As a daily watch

   First of all, I am writing my first impression as a daily watch.
   This device has standard watch faces, which are a digital face and a analog face.  Many of photos for fenix 3 HR are the standard digital watch face.  However, there is an analog watch face as well.

Standard analog watch face

    The standard analog watch face is a simple one.

Garmin Connect IQ

   The next thing is Garmin Connect IQ, which support to customize the watch face, application, a gadget with downloading customized one.   I have not tried other than a watch face, But it is nice to customize the watch face with what you like from the store.

 Customized watch face in Garmin Connect IQ

   Personally, I prefer an analog watch face.  I download one above from the store.  It looks like chronograph watch.  The actual design includes to show altitude, remaining battery and steps.  The old generations are not really stylish, they were just a gear for activities.   The latest model is getting nicer and it looks like a regular watch.   With changing band, I think it can fit as an accessory most of occasions.

  Forerunner 910XT which is the one I have been using  is not very good as a daily watch due to the battery and GPS mode, it is not really designed for that usage.  Thus, I feel like this is getting much more convenient for me.

Physical dimension and the weight

   Before getting it, I thought it seemed that the physical dimension and the weight could be too much.   However, in a reality, the physical dimension is a similar as Forerunner 910XT with a little extra weight,  I do not feel that it is too big even if I am running.  It is actually better for me to read the data field with presbyopia.

   Even if I wear it 24/7, it is not a big problem to monitor my heart rate 24/7.   I think it is a good product for a daily use.

Garmin fenix 3 HR ~ got it!

Got it!

   I had been comparing GPS watch from Garmin in the past weeks.  Finally,  I got a new GPS watch, Garmin "fenix 3 HR".  I will post reports for this new watch based on my experience.

   Today, I do not have much item I can share.  I just did charge it.  From almost empty to full, it took more than 2 hours.   It was longer than what I originally thought.  The first thing I want to check is how long I can use it.  Based on the specification, it will be around 16 hours with GPS mode, 2 weeks with a smart watch mode.  My typical usage will be 3 days (times), total 3 hours for outdoor running and 3 days (times), total 3 hours in a gym cardio training.  My guess would be around 7 to 10 days .   I will report about the battery life as the first topic.

GPS Watch selection in 2016 fall ~ my selection!

I've been using this for almost 4 years ....

   Although my current GPS watch Forerunner is still working well, I am considering to get a new one based on the test result of the built-in heart rate sensor in vivosmart HR and some advanced feature in the new product line.
   I was talking about a generic points in the previous posts, today, I am writing more my personal expectation.

My usage? 

   First of all, I list my usage and requirements:

• Running including a daily training and races
• Prefer to download training plans on a calendar on Garmin Connect
• The race is probably up to full marathon and based on my performance level, it is probably around 5 hours
• Daily activity tracing especially monitoring heart rate 24/7
• Hiking, but I probably won't try very long day hiking
• The maximum walking time a day would be up to 10 hours such as going back to the trail head after Mt. Whitney summit attempt from Trail Camp
• Want to have built-in wrist based heart rate sensor to get my heart rate data during sleeping in Mt . Whitney hiking.
• Interested in getting extra running dynamics data
• Interested in a feature to estimate lactic threshold and maybe VOmax extimate as well

   Due to the second item which is downloading the training plan, Forerunner 35, vivoactive HR and vivosmart HR+ are out of my selection.  They cannot support the feature.  Also, to meet the other expectations, the candidates are Forerunner 735XT or Fenix 3 HR.

Which one would be good for me?

   The both of them meet my expectation.   Forerunner 735XT is lighter than Fenix 3 HR.  The weight of Forerunner 735XT is about half of Fenix 3 HR.   However the battery capacity of Fenix 3 HR is larger than the Forerunner 735XT.  Fenix 3 HR has an altimeter and a compass.  Fenix 3 HR also looks better.  The price of Fenix 3 HR is about USD $150 more expensive than the Forerunner 735XT.
   It is really depending on person's preference and the price.
   I prefer Fenix 3 HR because of a better outlook as day-to-day watch and larger battery capacity.   I am not sure if I really use the altimeter and compass, but they are nice to have.  I plan to get Fenix 3 HR and do some testing.

GPS Watch selection in 2016 Fall ~ other usage?

for running?

GLONASS ~ Russian version of GPS

   If people want to use it just for hiking, I guess a reasonable battery capacity and built-in heart rate sensor would be enough.   Some of recent models can support GLONASS, which is Russian version of GPS, other than GPS.  In a reality, as long as a device supports GPS, then I do not believe we have issues.  All GPS devices currently I own, I have never seen any problem at all.  So, in my opinion, I do not think this is a big factor to select a GPS device.  It is just nice to have it.

Other sport usage?

    Just thinking about other sport usage, I guess it might be different selection depending on people do other sports, especially, if people want to use it for swimming / triathlon, the selection would be limited from Gamrin product line.  Any model does not support the built-in heart rate sensor during swimming.  But those models which support swimming would be able to monitor the heart rate with a special chest strap based heart rate sensors.   The models which can support the special heart rate sensor would be Forerunner 735XT and Fenix 3 HR.   Vivoactive HR also can support swimming, but the function is very limited.  I do not swim much, therefore, I do not have much idea in detail for swimming.

   The other major sport is running.   If people just want to log where they run, then any model would be all right.  There is a nice feature that people can download a custom training menu from Garmin Connect website in some models.  Also, some of models can estimate VOmax, Lactic threshold and capture some additional running dynamics and etc.   My current device, which is Forerunner 910XT, only have a feature to download the custom training menu.  The rest of the advanced features are not supported.

   If people are interested in following the training plan on Garmin Connect, the feature to download the menu is really convenient.  The device can provide the instruction and manage the time / heart rate.  Once people get used to do, it is really nice feature.   If people are not interested in the training plan or put a custom training to the device, it probably does not really matter.   Forerunner 35 / 235 only can support a simple interval training on the device.  I think it is probably all right for most of people.

   The rest of features are probably nice to have.   People can estimate VOmax with Cooper testing (12 minutes running).  Based on the distance people can run, people can tell their VOmax value from a chart.   To estimate lactic threshold is a bit harder, people might need to take a test or guess from their training data.  In my case, I really like to get extra data to analyze them to understand my fitness in different angles.

For Golf

   Fenix 3 HR and vivoactive HR supports a function for golf.   They can get course data to the device and find out the distance from the ball location to the green.  I do not play golf a lot and I am not really interested in the feature.  But it seems to be a convenient feature for golf lovers.

For outdoor sports

   Fenix 3 HR and vivoactive HR has many outdoor related features.  They are probably nice to have, but I do not believe they are really necessary.  The pressure based altitude meter and compass are convenient, but I really do not really care if a devise have a feature or not.   I may carry them independently if I really need.  They are just nice to have. 

The rest ….

   The rest of features are probably dimension, weight, price and outlook. They are really depending on each person.  Everybody has different expectation / taste and it is hard to say what would be a good one.  Just a personal opinion, Fenix 3 HR looks nice like a regular watch.  On the other hand, it is big / bulky and some people feel it might be too big.  In my case, I have been using Forerunner 910XT for a while, it is a big and I really do not feel like too big.   The other concern could be it is a bit expensive.   Regarding the dimension, Forerunner 35 is a small one, but the other one could be a similar size especially the display.   Fenix 3 HR is more than 80g which is almost double of Forerunner 235 / 735XT.  It really depends how people think / feel about the dimension / weight.

   For me, I am getting old and a big display help me that it is easy to read …..  This is another good thing for a big display.