The logic behind default GPS mode settings in different sports modes

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

Is there a specific logic that guides if workout defaults to endurance or performance GPS mode? I have few running, trail running, walking and hiking modes defined (custom) on my watch and some default to endurance while others to performance. I initially thought that walking would default to endurance but I have two running modes (regular running) and one defaults to endurance and the other to performance (they main difference is amount of data screens, one has more). Why is that?

Ideally, it would be nice if additional settings (like GPS performance mode or S+ screens) could be defined and saved in watch.

[Brad_Olwin]

@Łukasz-Szmigiel None should default to Endurance mode, unless you had previously selected that mode. Unless you are going 25-30h at one time there is no reason to use Endurance mode. FusedTrack is only activated with running/hiking/waling modes I believe (that would include trail running). You can set up custom sport modes in SA to have whatever screens you want. Presently, the sport will remember the battery saving mode but SuuntoPlus cannot be predefined.

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

@Brad_Olwin well that’s the weird part. My standard running mode always defaults to endurance (yellow gps icon and no hr) - I always switch it to performance but it defaults to endurance on the next run. My other running mode defaults to performance. Perhaps it’s a bug?

[Brad_Olwin]

@Łukasz-Szmigiel Endurance mode has HR, Ultra mode does not. You could always try a soft reset. Is this a custom sport mode or stock? If custom, I would just delete and remake the mode.

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

@Brad_Olwin remember that I’m referring to S5, so it’s either better or worse gps mode (performance = 1s + hr, endurance = 60s + no hr).

It certainly isn’t a life breaking event, all it takes is to press a button before each workout and that’s it. I was just curious if there’s some logic behind the defaults that I’m missing or if it’s a bug.

Yes, these are custom modes. Soft reset doesn’t fix it.

[Brad_Olwin]

@Łukasz-Szmigiel That is strange, I have a 5 and have never had this happen. The 5 does not have FusedTrack as it has no compass. Not worth using Endurance mode as your tracks will be horrible. Endurance is a last resort when you are out and your battery is about to die, that is the only time I have used it on my S5 aside from testing.

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

@Brad_Olwin I know, weird that it’s even included. Especially if it doesn’t switch to performance on navigation screens - that would make it somewhat useful for longer but slow moving trips where 1s refresh isn’t necessary but navigation is still useful.

[Brad_Olwin]

@Łukasz-Szmigiel Yes that one you mentioned would be a great feature but I think the mode was added for two reasons, first an emergency battery mode and second for a long hike or backpacking where you are not overly concerned with the accuracy of a track. I think for the intended user, very few would need more than 25h of continuous tracking. I like that the watch is small, if it had a barometer I would use it instead of my S9 and use the S9 only when I needed more than 24h of tracking. Alas, no barometer and the elevation data on the 5 is not good enough for my needs.

[Mff73]

@Brad_Olwin
When S5 will exist with a baro, my wife will have one in the next day

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

I can live without baro but lack of compass is a bummer. Agreed that more than 20 hours of gps time for a watch that isn’t designed for ultra runners is an overkill rather than a necessary feature.

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

It seems that it was a bug. After removing the preset and creating new from scratch it defaults to high quality GPS mode on every start.

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

I think there’s more into it:

So I’ve removed custom workout from watch and created a new one. After that, watch defaults to performance GPS mode.

It worked as expected until I started a workout with custom GPS mode with GPS accuracy set to good (in S5 it’s between best and worst, not available from top right button).

After finishing the workout and saving it, it now defaults to endurance GPS mode (not even the custom mode I’ve created but endurance).

Steps to reproduce:

1. Create custom workout mode (ie. walking)
2. Enter workout screen, it should default to performance GPS mode
3. Go into workout settings prior to starting
4. Go to GPS settings and set GPS accuracy to good (worse than best)
5. Start the workout, finish it normally, save
6. Enter workout screen, it should default to endurance GPS mode instead of performance (entering workout settings confirms that it’s endurance mode, not previously customised one).

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

Ok so there’s even more

7. Go into workout settings after it defaults to endurance GPS mode
8. Go into GPS mode personalisation
9. Set it to custom
10. Set GPS quality to best
11. Exit the workout screen without starting the workout
12. Enter the workout screen again - it defaults to performance GPS mode again

So it seems that S5 goes bonkers if user sets custom GPS mode with GPS accuracy that is in between best and worst as it can’t default to it.

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

Can anyone with S5 confirm this behavior? @Dimitrios-Kanellopoulos, do you think it’s by design for some strange reason or a bug indeed?

[Brad_Olwin]

@Łukasz-Szmigiel I will check when I get home.

[Dimitrios Kanellopoulos]

@Łukasz-Szmigiel said in The logic behind default GPS mode settings in different sports modes:

I think there’s more into it:

So I’ve removed custom workout from watch and created a new one. After that, watch defaults to performance GPS mode.

It worked as expected until I started a workout with custom GPS mode with GPS accuracy set to good (in S5 it’s between best and worst, not available from top right button).

After finishing the workout and saving it, it now defaults to endurance GPS mode (not even the custom mode I’ve created but endurance).

Steps to reproduce:

1. Create custom workout mode (ie. walking)
2. Enter workout screen, it should default to performance GPS mode
3. Go into workout settings prior to starting
4. Go to GPS settings and set GPS accuracy to good (worse than best)
5. Start the workout, finish it normally, save
6. Enter workout screen, it should default to endurance GPS mode instead of performance (entering workout settings confirms that it’s endurance mode, not previously customised one).

That is correct because you didn’t change the mode. You need to change it by selecting it

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

@Dimitrios-Kanellopoulos I don’t get it. Could you be more specific? Shouldn’t watch default to last preset as with other settings (feeling, auto lap, etc.) instead of forcing endurance mode?

[Dimitrios Kanellopoulos]

@Łukasz-Szmigiel Ok I think I get it. IT’s a custom mode? What color does it show ?

[Łukasz Szmigiel]

@Dimitrios-Kanellopoulos it’s blue after it’s configured at first. The second time it defaults to endurance (orange). However, if you once again enter deep GPS settings, it’ll want to apply last configuration. So the settings are saved - the only problem is that the watch can’t default to custom - only endurance or performance.

[Dimitrios Kanellopoulos]

@Łukasz-Szmigiel Got it so:

Once the GPS settings are fiddled with then the battery mode won’t default to any other selection. Right ?