Home Arrow Icon Knowledge base Arrow Icon Global Arrow Icon What improvements have been made to the battery life in the 801
    Garmin Foretrex 801 battery life outdoor navigation watch mode Expedition mode AAA batteries


What improvements have been made to the battery life in the 801


The Garmin Foretrex 801 has seen significant improvements in battery life compared to its predecessor, the Foretrex 601. Here are the key enhancements:

- Navigation Mode: The 801 offers 100 hours of battery life, a substantial increase from the 601's 48 hours.

- Expedition Mode: In this mode, the 801 can last up to 1,000 hours, compared to the 601's 168 hours.

- Watch Mode: While the 601 provided around 720 hours, the 801's Watch Mode can last beyond 1,000 hours, although Garmin does not specify an exact number for this mode.

The Foretrex 801 operates on two AAA batteries (alkaline, lithium, or NiMH), allowing for easy replacement without downtime when batteries run out. This is a practical advantage in outdoor or tactical scenarios where access to charging may be limited[1].

Citations:
[1] https://gearjunkie.com/technology/watches/garmin-foretrex-801-review
[2] https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-801a-how-to-rate-battery-runtime
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/3oyd58/on_the_snapdragon_801/
[4] https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-801b-how-to-define-battery-life
[5] https://www.prostatcorp.com/product/prs-801b-resistance-system-set
[6] https://community.oneplus.com/thread/30866
[7] https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-1B6BD381-3FB9-4F7D-BBB3-79BE9207F8FA/EN-US/GUID-006A2859-4BD8-4AED-830C-FB8D9F5EC987.html
[8] https://community.oneplus.com/thread/57690

How does the battery life in Watch mode exceed 1,000 hours

The Garmin Foretrex 801's battery life in Watch mode can exceed 1,000 hours due to its efficient design and the use of two AAA batteries. This mode is specifically optimized for minimal power consumption, allowing the device to function primarily as a timekeeping device without the additional demands of GPS tracking or other features that consume more energy.

Key Factors Contributing to Extended Battery Life:

- Power-Saving Features: The Watch mode disables most active functions, focusing solely on timekeeping, which significantly reduces power usage.

- Battery Type: The device operates on standard AAA batteries (alkaline, lithium, or NiMH), which can be easily replaced. This allows users to continue using the device without downtime when batteries are depleted.

- Optimized Usage: In this mode, the Foretrex 801 can leverage its design to prolong battery life by minimizing background processes and limiting GPS usage, which is a major power drain in other modes like Navigation or Expedition.

Overall, these enhancements allow the Foretrex 801 to achieve impressive battery longevity in Watch mode, making it suitable for extended outdoor activities where recharging may not be feasible[4].

Citations:
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWatch/comments/18jfnee/the_apple_watch_only_lasting_18_hours_means_that/
[2] https://talk.tidbits.com/t/how-many-hours-should-a-watch-battery-last/20280
[3] https://support.casio.com/global/en/wat/manual/5691_en/UQIDSYfiodvzdh.html
[4] https://gearjunkie.com/technology/watches/garmin-foretrex-801-review
[5] https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-changed-these-8-apple-watch-settings-to-significantly-improve-battery-life/
[6] https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255231051
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AENJWCKdic0
[8] https://nothing.community/d/6694-watch-pro-poor-battery-life