First off congratulations on completing a true epic, nicely done.
Secondly, thank you very much for the feedback. While we certainly test all aspects of our specifications we all know an actual ride is a different story. Regarding battery life, I'm as disappointed as you are in only getting 10 hours. Couple follow up questions- how often (if at all) did you use the bread-crumb map screen? The refreshing of this screen is processor heavy and tends to consume more battery. Secondly, for comparison's sake, can you tell me if your friends using the Garmin had a sensors paired and second by second recording?? Did you have any other sensors paired besides a power meter? For what it's worth, the unit
should provide 3 hours of function after first displaying the low battery message.
The TSS limit being 500 is a bug or more aptly an absent minded assumption, thanks for pointing that out. We'll add that to our list for the next release.
JimMoss wrote:
Took Joule GPS (and the Rider) to the limit on Saturday and did 201 Miles in the LOTOJA (Logan Utah > Jackson Wyoming) Classic. Several observations...during the 10:08 total time ride.
1. Battery Life - Biggest fear was Joule GPS crapping out on me during this event and it got real close. I stripped it down and shut off the backlight, eliminated other sensors, and made sure no other battery draining features were running. I didn't use the Interval feature and changed metrics maybe once or twice in the race. My point is, I gave it every opportunity to maximize the battery life. Before the 100 mile mark the Battery icon was already showing just one bar left. At 170 miles the icon was empty and started to flash indicating the end was near. Somehow Joule GPS (and the Rider) hung on to the end and made it. But I highly doubt there was much time left. By way of comparison, my teammates who were running Garmin 500 had 50% battery life left after 10 hours of riding. How can Joule GPS be so far off of where a Garmin 500 is with what is most likely the same Lithium battery?
2. TSS Max - TSS hit 500.0 @ about 160 miles and didn't go any higher. Seriously? TSS is limited to 500.0? That's absurd.
I realize that Joule GPS (and other devices) aren't made with the idea that the average rider will do double centuries. But it would be nice if the battery life worked as claimed so when these opportunities come up we can do the event and not wonder if the thing will work. I can only imagine if I used any of the backlight...maybe would make it 4-5 hours? My guess is that my Joule 2.0 probably would have lasted longer. Joule GPS made it but I have to say I'm sorta disappointed in it.
Jesse Bartholomew