Everyone has certainly noticed that by activating the Garmin GPS functionality, it drains the watch battery much faster. Likewise, if after using a feature that requires the use of GPS, we leave it open in the background. Thus, we may find that our battery is quickly drained as well.
By the way, when we turn on the GPS, it is the time of the power’s greatest consumption, because that is when our mobiles – whether it is a phone or a smartwatch – connect to the satellites to obtain information. The battery consumption also increases when we are in an area with a very weak signal, as the GPS tries to find other satellites with a better signal. However, using GPS with Ultratrac mode significantly improves your battery consumption. Stay tuned to learn how you can get the most of your Garmin GPSwatch.
How to improve your garmin gps watch easily with Ultratrac?
What is Ultratrac mode?
UltraTrac mode is a GPS feature that allows you to periodically turn off GPS to save battery power. When your Garmin GPS is turned off, the device uses the foot pod to calculate speed and distance. Accuracy of tracking, distance and speed data is lower in UltraTrac mode (It is better after several outdoor runs with GPS.)
How to activate UltraTrac mode?
Follow the next steps to activate UltraTrac mode in order to enhance the Garmin GPS use:
- You must first select the Trail Run profile
- Then, you must press and hold the menu button for a few seconds to access the profile settings.
- At this level you have to scroll down to GPS
- And finally, you select the UltraTrac option.
Which Garmin watch has the best GPS?
1. Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire
The Fenix is a robust and elegant smartwatch. Putting the Fenix 6 Sapphire Watch on your wrist is like taking the next step to a new fitness level of difficulty, ability, challenge. But with the certainty of doing it with the best device that the market can offer. Garmin’s Fenix 6 Sapphire guarantee a great experience.
Aesthetically, the Fenix 6 Sapphire watch derives from the fenix 5 family:
- With a slightly reduced screen size and thickness (1.85 x 1.85 x 0.55 inches, almost like the Forerunner 945);
- A larger anti-glare color digital display (1.31 inch in diameter and much smaller frame) and higher resolution (260 x 260 pixels) compared to previous models. Thus, it is easily viewed in bright sunlight, or low light situations;
- Stainless steel (2.11 ounces) or titanium (1.72 ounces) case and bezel;
- Sapphire crystal (scratch resistant)
- And new silicone strap (also available in leather, titanium or nylon). Also, there is a military style. So, the available colors are diverse, depending on the model, but my favorite is still the classic black.
The Fenix 6 Sapphire Garmin GPS watch at first glance seems anything but a watch for running. And in fact, running is just one of the many activities it was designed for: cycling, swimming, trail running, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, triathlon, swimrun, treadmill, indoor running, climbing, indoor cycling, open water, skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and its classic version, Stand Up Paddle SUP, rowing, kayaking, walking, yoga, pilates, stairs, elliptical, step, weight, cardio, parachuting, climbing (in different versions), tactics, golf, boats (and the ability to customize it further). Over the past few months, I’ve mostly used it for my running workouts, indoor cycling, and tracking my daily activities. UltraTrac mode, allows you to use the GPS at low power to ensure several weeks of use. These watches are equipped with an optical sensor to monitor your pulse and a built-in GPS satellite positioning system.
The Pace Pro feature provides a dynamic support and allows you to set a preset pace on a given course (mostly with elevation gain) for a run or workout, setting how fast you run uphill, on the flat and downhill. With the Fenix 6 Sapphire watch, all you have to do is preload a route and the final time when you want to complete it and Pace Pro automatically divides the route into several stages; you will tackle each of them at a different rate depending on the vertical drop you encounter. Very simple and intuitive, and I love it. You can also customize (from the app) the data fields to suit your preference for uphill effort and negative split time.
As for the performance part, monitoring functions have been integrated, including :
- acclimatization and altitude status, which adjusts the actual VO2 max value;
- training status, which automatically assesses recent exercise history and performance metrics for whether your training was effective, too low-impact, or too intense;
- training load, which measures your exercise volume over the past seven days and compares it to your optimal physical condition and your most recent training history;
- recovery time, to maximize the benefits of your workouts and avoid overtraining;
- target training load, which ranks your recent training history into different categories based on structure and intensity of activity;
- and the training effect, aerobic and anaerobic.
Pros
- Accurate and extremely detailed activity tracking
- The best for outdoor tracking
- Unbreakable design
- Compatible with popular training apps
- Two weeks battery life
Cons
- Smartwatch functionality still limited
- Not many new fitness features over Fenix 5 Plus
- Connect IQ store still a bit clunky
- The price tag
Parameters have improved significantly with the introduction of a pulse ox (oximeter) that allows you to read (estimate) you blood oxygen level and hemoglobin percentage; my only negative observation about the pulse oximeter is the huge use of the power capacity. It also improves advanced sleep monitoring.
Also, when it comes to heart rate accuracy, I found that the Fenix 6 Sapphire gives mostly accurate readings. Just make sure that it isn’t too loose, as such results can slip off the pace.
2. Garmin Forerunner 45
Garmin Forerunner 45 is Garmin’s new entry-level smartwatch. Even though the Garmin Forerunner 45 watch is the heir to the Forerunner 35, this new device has actually changed completely.
The Garmin GPS Forerunner watch series is not only a great GPS watch that encourages running and healthy lifestyle. It’s also perfect for everyday use, and with the built-in GPS it can track pace, distance, intervals and more.
The Forerunner 45 Watch is also capable of capturing all of the usual activity tracking parameters, including steps, calories, active minutes, sleep, and heart rate. However, it cannot capture the stairs because it does not have a barometric altimeter to measure height.
The stylish smartwatch continuously monitors activity and sends it to the Garmin Connect website and Garmin Connect Mobile (the smartphone app), via Bluetooth Smart.
The Forerunner 45 is a GPS watch designed for the to be worn 24/7 and includes a number of wellness features. With stress monitoring throughout the day and Body Battery monitoring, you can focus on your well-being and plan your day to optimize your activity and rest time.
Pros
- Physical Buttons + Color Display
- Optical wrist-based heart rate monitor
- Good battery life
- Personalized trainings by Garmin
- Decent heart rate accuracy
- Compatible with popular training apps
- Value for money
Cons
- No swimming mode
- Not compatible with all sports apps like Runkeeper
- No music
The Body Battery displays a simple score between 1 and 100 which indicates an estimate of how much power you have. This number is estimated based on a number of factors including activity level, sleep, and daily stress, the latter of which is measured using heart rate variability.
The Forerunner 45 supports smartphone notifications like all Garmin watches. You will see the smart notifications configured on your smartphone through your phone’s usual notification center, and then they will appear on the device itself.
3. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
The Forerunner 245 Music is a sports stylish GPS watch with a heart rate monitor feature from none other than the Garmin brand. It is a device primarily designed for running, marketed at an intermediate price between less expensive models, like the Forerunner 45, and high-end models with more advanced features, like the Forerunner 945.
Like all Garmin models, Forerunner 245 Music has a built-in GPS system which, together with at least six other sensors installed on the device, allows full control of your physical activities, indoor and outdoor workouts, from miles traveled at the speed of your run, and analyzing your physical condition to sharing your location and much more.
The dimensions of the Forerunner 245 Music are 1.66 x 1.66 x 0.48 (inches); Fits wrists with a circumference of 5-8 inches.
The screen is anti-glare and the total weight is 1.35 ounces. As for the battery life, it reaches 7 days in smartwatch mode UltraTrac; while with the Garmin GPS on, the charge runs out for up to 24 hours later, but it only reaches 6 hours if the music is also on. As the name suggests, the Forerunner 245 Music is designed to download and control music both on the device and on smartphones with Android and iOS operating systems. The maximum storage capacity is 500 songs.
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music lets you manage your music on your wrist while running or doing any other indoor or outdoor workouts. To do this, playlists from the most popular streaming music services are synced directly to the watch. The Forerunner 245 Music can store up to 500 songs and is compatible with systems such as Deezer, Amazon Music and Spotify.
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music supports multisport mode, and the different profiles of the Garmin app universe allow you to easily track your results and progress in a variety of sports, from swimming to cycling and even yoga.
Pros
- Physical buttons
- Battery life
- Personalised training programs by Garmin
- Compatible with popular training apps
- Music (streaming and on the watch itself)
- WiFi
- Value for money
Cons
- No barometric
- altimeterLooks
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music and the Garmin Forerunner 245 are two practically identical Garmin GPS watches, but the former is also prepared precisely for the storage and management of music tracks. The price difference is due to this additional functionality; and the basic colors are also the same, namely white, black or iris.
For cityryders who are interested in heart rate accuracy, I was very pleased with the results of testing the Forerunner 245 Music; the only issue is a small lag when I increase my speed quickly.
Is Garmin a good brand?
It is indisputable that a good diet is essential for the proper functioning of the body, just as the practice of regular physical exercise is essential to enjoy good health and prevent certain diseases.
Exercising improves independence, memory, bone density, stamina, muscles, self-esteem, mood, and more.
Today, in the 21st century, we are invaded in our environment by an infinite number of technologies which, for the most part, facilitate many tasks and help us in our daily life.
One of the technologies that has become very fashionable are the running watches, and sports watches in general.
Today, these sports watches are very complete, most of them already integrate the GPS and allow us to follow a lot of data of our sports activity which can be very useful to follow the activity, the state of health and to motivate us. to practise.
Garmin is a benchmark brand in the field of smart sports watches. If you are not convinced of the quality of the brand, you have come to the right place to clarify your doubts. So why buy a Garmin? ….
Garmin is a company that develops Garmin GPS technology, whether for civil, land, aeronautical or naval use. Its history is long and renowned and dates back to 1989.
The brand has made sports watches from simple for beginners to more advanced for elite athletes. Its variety is so wide that choosing a model can be a bit difficult because they are all excellent.
So why buy a Garmin watch? Because it’s a safe bet! Garmin watches are very complete, no matter what sport you play, you will always find the ideal model for you.
The ideal model will depend on the needs of the user and the sporting purpose for which it will be used. A Garmin watch can be used for any physical activity, be it running, swimming, cycling, crossfit, etc.
You should know that the brand was at the top of the best-selling watches on Amazon with its Garmin Forerunner range. Their Garmin Forerunner 245 model is a favorite around the world. And it is not for nothing, it is one of their models that you can find at a decent price in the market. It also has the looks and its functions are optimal (being compatible with popular training apps is only one of many features).
If we talk about aesthetics, their devices have beautiful designs with very good finishes. Whether you like spherical or square models.
As we saw above, there is no excuse to wonder why buy a Garmin.
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