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/