Harry's GPS Suite Forum

Is there a way to reduce the power consumption of the newest Harry's version? I have an IPod 4 which would last about a morning or about 3 20 minute sessions before I had to recharge. The GPS XPS 150 lasted almost all day (5 20 minute sessions). Now ever since version 17.xx has come out, I can barely get a 20 minute session recorded without having to recharge. And if it's a day with a drive every hour, it just won't recharge that fast. And you can't (not with a RAM mount) have it continuously charged -port blocked! But the tracks here on the west coast, esp. Laguna won't go for hanging wires anyway...
So HOW DO WE reduce power consumption? Go back to 16? Or can we get a simpler, less power-hungry version? Tx a bunch.
PS: Again, really not a complaint (how could I for $20?) but I got spoiled with version 16... Maybe there should be a $100 version for all this crazy options and a very simple, record data and video, version for $15-25?

In case the battery time fell from 3:20 to 0:20 with v17, there is something wrong with your hardware. I regularly measure the load LapTimer puts onto the system (which relates directly to battery lifetime and heat development), and there should be no difference between v16 and v17. Maybe you have changed your hardware configuration, settings or usage pattern? Using the Dual instead of the internal GPS removes the need to fuel the internal GPS chip but adds 5 times the processing load e.g. Screen brightness generates between 70 and 90% of the power consumption when not recording video. When recording video, the cam will burn as much as the display on top. To save battery, please turn off network activity you do not need (e.g. turn iCloud off, or at least do not allow iCloud to replicate through cellular networks - Setting in iOS's Settings app). You may turn off wifi altogether as LapTimer will not search for wifi sensors then. Reduce brightness a bit etc.

Hope that helps.

- Harry

I have a RAM mount and an iPod 4 and don't have a problem with connecting to the docking port. If I did, I wouldn't be able to use the Emprum Ultimate GPS dongle. I'm using the RAM-HOL-AP10 cradle on a ball mount. That leaves the docking port free. It needs some extra padding to keep the iPod from moving around, though. Your charging rate seems a little slow too. If it's operating at high drain, it'not going to charge very fast. What version of iOS are you using? One of the early versions of iOS 6 was reported to cause high power usage.

A docking port extenders than can fit through the smaller hole in some of the protective covers is available as well, if that helps. Be sure to get one that allows charging. Apparently not all of them do.