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What are the best settings to use for long activities to maximize battery life


To maximize battery life during long activities on the Garmin Forerunner 965, users can adjust several settings and features. Here are the best practices:

Recommended Settings for Long Activities

1. Use GPS Only Mode:
- Switch to GPS Only mode instead of the multiband GPS mode. This can extend battery life significantly, allowing up to 31 hours compared to 19 hours in multiband mode[1][2].

2. Disable Always-On Display:
- Turn off the Always-On Display feature. This can conserve battery life, as the screen will only activate when needed. If you enable it, expect battery life to drop to about 7 days[3][5].

3. Limit Heart Rate Monitoring:
- If not essential, consider disabling wrist-based heart rate monitoring. Continuous heart rate tracking can drain the battery faster.

4. Use UltraTrac Mode:
- For ultra-long activities, switch to UltraTrac mode. This mode reduces GPS tracking frequency to extend battery life up to 34 hours, though it sacrifices some tracking accuracy[2][5].

5. Manage Notifications:
- Disable or limit phone notifications and other alerts during the activity. These features can consume additional battery power.

6. Turn Off Audio Playback:
- If not needed, avoid using audio playback, which can reduce battery life to 10.5 hours in GPS mode with audio[2][4].

7. Optimize Sensor Usage:
- Limit the use of connected sensors (like cycling power meters) unless necessary, as they can also drain battery life.

8. Utilize Battery Saver Mode:
- Activate Battery Saver Mode to disable non-essential features that consume power during long activities[5].

By implementing these settings, users can significantly extend the battery life of the Forerunner 965 during prolonged activities, ensuring they can track their performance without the need for frequent recharging.

Citations:
[1] https://support.garmin.com/en-IE/?faq=FEjONGCI270wlBlREC7Uw8&productID=886725&tab=topics
[2] https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-0221611A-992D-495E-8DED-1DD448F7A066/EN-US/GUID-73101B42-D91C-4A0A-A7E3-37E04553473B.html
[3] https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/garmin-forerunner-965
[4] https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=FEjONGCI270wlBlREC7Uw8&productID=886725&tab=topics
[5] https://www.pocket-lint.com/garmin-forerunner-965-review/