Liza Brown
Jan 23, 2021• Proven solutions
As any camera buff must surely know by now, GoPro is one of the best action cams you can get in today’s market and it could get even better if you could somehow enhance its battery life. Thankfully there are certain GoPro settings which can be tweaked to maximize the GoPro battery life and in this article we are going to discuss a few easy ways of improving your GoPro battery life. On an average the battery of your GoPro would last just for about 1 ½ hours or even less while shooting in 4K with the LCD screen on and Wi-Fi connected.
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How to Improve GoPro’s Battery life
1. Update the firmware
Are you still not taking the firmware updates of your camera seriously? Though most action camera shooters do not have the time to ponder over all those tech stuff, yet you need to keep your camera’s firmware updated if you are looking forward to conserving your battery. There is always a possibility that your GoPro firmware isn’t actually updated. Doing this would not just fix any recurrent problems which you might be having with your camera but it would also improve the battery life immensely because of any fixes implemented by the company. The GoPro firmware can be updated by connecting the cam to a smartphone over Wi-Fi and then by updating it with the help of the GoPro app. In case you are using an older model you have to download the firmware which is available on the GoPro website and then transfer it to your GoPro SD card and run the update from your cam.
2. Keep the cam turned off when not in use
This sounds pretty obvious doesn’t it? When you turn on your camera but not recording anything then the battery gets drains slowly. So make sure to keep your GoPro switched off whenever you are not shooting so as to save the battery. The Quick Capture is an useful feature which allows the cam to start recording instantly whenever it is powered on.
3. Use the “Auto Power Off Setting”
Many of us forget to switch on our cameras after shooting and this slowly depletes the camera’s battery. If you are one of those people who always forget to turn off the camera only to find a low battery indication after some time then what you need to do is turn on the вЂAuto Power Off Setting’. All you have to do is go to the settings menu and then click on the button 13 times till you have the option to select the number of seconds you would like to give your cam till it shuts down automatically. You can choose from 60, 120, and 300 seconds.
4. Turn off the red indicator and beeping lights
The red light which constantly blinks while shooting a footage is not just a major distraction to the viewer but also a cause of battery drainage. This red indicator light is meant for letting the user know when the cam is recording. However professional cinematographers will easily learn that as long as the record button is pressed properly the GoPro is going to start shooting no matter if the red light is blinking or not. Though the light indicator doesn’t have that much of an impact on the overall battery life but when it comes to battery life improvement every little thing helps.
5. Turn off the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Just like any other devices, turning off the WIFI and Bluetooth in your GoPro cam can greatly help to enhance the battery life. Turning of these 2 could extend your battery life by about 10-15 minutes. Make sure not to accidentally press the WIFI button at the side of your camera while shooting.
6. Give up the Remote and the smartphone app
The remote control of your GoPro is not just difficult to use but also takes a toll on the battery life of the camera. It could lower the overall battery life of your cam by about 15%-20% depending on the usage. Try using a selfie stick instead of the remote. Avoid pairing your cam with your phone since it’s more of a wastage of your time and the camera battery. So leave the remote behind and stop playing with your smartphone so as to shoot a lot more footage with your GoPro.
7. Reduce the frame rate or the recording resolution
Always keep in mind that the less the number of pixels and frames your camera is recording the less battery it uses. Try to have the video setting of your GoPro set to 1080p but for a special reason to shoot in ultra HD. Also make sure to turn off the Protune feature in your camera. The 1080p at 60 fps is the norm for shooting any GoPro footage. However you can always reduce it to 720p or leave it at 1080p only with 30 frames per sec instead of 60 unless you are shooting a professional video with the best possible res. If you are just shooting for fun then 720p is surely going to work great and more importantly it would give you more footage in the end.
8. Keep the LCD screen turned off
The LCD screens in the new GroPro are a superb feature which not only allows you to see whatever you are recording but also change the setting more conveniently. However the LCD screen can substantially drain the battery so when you want to capture more footage its best for you to turn off the LCD and shoot in the old school way.
9. Get extra batteries or an extended battery pack
Surely this is one of the easiest ways of getting the most out of your GoPro camera. You can just buy a few spare batteries from the 3rd party vendors at a very affordable price so that you don’t have to worry about shooting to your heart’s content.
GoPro is a brand that is hailed for their excellent action cameras, and as a matter of fact, their line of devices are deemed to be the best on the market as of late. However, most of the brand’s cameras have battery lives that leaves something to be desired. Still, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything about it. Read on to know some workarounds to extend your action camera’s battery life even further.
Extending Your GoPro Action Camera’s Battery Life
Step 1 – One of the more basic things that you should do to extend the battery life for your GoPro camera is to update its firmware. Even though you are taking and using the action camera everywhere you go, you might have skipped an update or two. With an old software running the system, it might give quite a load to the performance of the action camera, which can deplete the juice from the battery faster. However, there are some updates that will make that load easier on the shoulders of the camera (so to speak), which does mean a better way it handles its battery.
Step 2 – Another rather obvious step is that turn the camera off when you’re not using it. Even though there are tons of moments that you would want to record or take a picture of, it doesn’t mean that you have to keep the GoPro camera turned on all the time. It does turn on pretty quick so that you won’t have to miss out on those great moments.
Step 3 – Just like with any modern gadgets that has connectivity options, turning off the Wi-Fi feature on the action camera can boost the battery life even further. While it won’t actually extend the battery life for another hour, turning off the Wi-Fi can eke out approximately 10 to 15-minutes of extra recording time, which is already pretty decent.
Step 4 – If you don’t mind much about the picture quality and would just want to record the moment that’s in the now, then you might want to reduce the resolution and/or frame rate of your captured images. Doing so will lessen the load that the camera is experiencing, which would also mean a better way to extend its battery life.
Step 5 – Just like turning the Wi-Fi connection off, turning the LCD off on your GoPro device lets it eke out more juice from its battery. While it is more convenient to use it so that you can get a better view of whatever it is that you’re recording, if you’re mounting it on something and have no immediate visual contact on the screen, then just turn it off.
What’s the issue?
Where does it apply?
- HERO9 Black
- MAX
- HERO8 Black
- HERO7 Black
- HERO6 Black
- HERO5 Black
- HERO (2018)
- HERO4
- HERO3+
- HERO3
How to fix it
- Keep the camera in an interior pocket before filming, using body heat to keep the unit warm. NOTE: This goes for secondary/backup batteries as well.
- Leaving the camera on (in standby) may be better than powering the unit off for an extended period of time.
- One-Button Mode (while convenient for helmet-mounted shots), might mean that the lift ride to the top of the summit (powered off) allows the camera’s temp to drop too low.
- Use the camera in the waterproof housing to help retain the heat given off by the camera during operation (anti-fog strips may come in play under certain conditions).
- Use newer batteries. Older batteries that have been used quite a bit have a much harder time in cold weather. When going to a cold environment, consider which batteries you will be taking.
HERO9 Black, HERO8 Black and HERO7 Black Heads Up: Image Stabilization in high performance modes draws a lot of power. In cold temperatures the battery is not able to keep up. Because of this, HyperSmooth and Standard Stabilization are not available in the following high performance modes when operating in very cold temperatures (0°C or lower).
- 2.7K 4:3 – 60/50
- 4K 60/50
- 4K 4:3 – 24
If this occurs, the camera will provide messaging indicating that stabilization is not supported.
Many GoPro users complain about the battery life that whenever they pick their GoPro for use, its battery had been drained from where they’ve left it; it happens because of few reasons.
Either your GoPro is not turned off properly or either your device Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections are still active while your GoPro is off.
Here are the procedures you can follow to turn off your GoPro properly and can save its battery life. These steps are super easy to follow, which can help GoPro users to save their device’s battery lifespan.
Turn Off procedure for GoPro HERO7/6/5
- You need to press and hold the mode button for around 2 seconds
- You will hear three beeps and your GoPro Led will blink too, this will indicate that your device has been turned off.
Turn Off/On through voice command:
You can also turn off your GoPro with saying “GoPro Turn Off” voice command.
Similarly, if you want to turn on GoPro with voice command, you can use this voice command “Go Pro-Turn On.” But you need to enable this setting by going to Preferences > Voice Control> Wake on voice.
Auto Power Off Option:
To make your GoPro power off automatically, you need to go to GoPro settings in Preferences> Auto Power OFF> Then You can choose 5min, 15min, 30mins time to automatically turn off your GoPro when you’re not using it.
Turn Off GoPro Fusion
GoPro Fusion also follows the same settings to turn it off.
- You need to hold mode button for 2 seconds.
- Use “GoPro turn off” voice command.
But it’s not possible to turn this device off automatically by selecting time duration as GoPro Fusion will automatically turn off after 7min after you stop using it/ when it remains inactive for 7mins.
Turn Off GoPro HERO5 Session
GoPro Hero 5 works a bit differently; you can’t directly turn it off by voice command or by holding the mode button. Instead, it will automatically power off when your GoPro is not in recording mode or is taking photos. It will turn off itself when not in use by the operator.
QuikCapture to maximize battery life
It’s a recording feature by GoPro that enables you to turn your GoPro on and starts recording automatically with the press of a single button (shutter/select button). And it will also turn itself off when recording stops.
This feature is disabled by default in GoPro cameras (with the exclusion of the HERO Session / HERO4 Session, and HERO5 Session)
Tips to improve GoPro Battery:
- Install an updated firmware on your device – It will not only improve the battery but also fixes minor malfunctions on your GoPro.
- Turn off Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connection on your device – it will really boost the battery timing.
- Turn off the LCD screen – Once you’ve set your camera angle, then usually you don’t need to monitor it all the time, so it’s better to turn the screen off because its LCD screen consumes power too. You can turn it off automatically once the recording has been started.
- Reduce unnecessary high recording settings/Frame rate/Resolution/ – Higher resolution and recording settings will consume more power if you don’t require a higher frame rate and resolution than set it low to have more battery timing on you GoPro.
- Discharged GoPro battery at least once a month – For a Healthy and long lifespan, your batteries need to be fully discharged after some time. Many times, we do charge our electronic devices’ batteries, but we don’t use them, the habit of fully charging batteries and not using it later, damages the battery life if not discharged in time.
- Too Much Cold weather also decreases batter timing – Try to keep GoPro battery in warm temperature. Especially if you’re using it in cold areas as the battery drains faster in such conditions.
A few tips to improve Your GoPro battery life.
If you have been reading the blog recently, you’ll know that I have recently started vlogging on my YouTube channel. When I started vlogging, I was stuck on what camera to use to record my video. I was swayed by the GoPro Hero 7, because of its versatility and compact size. I already carry quite a bit of camera equipment already, so I didn’t want to add more bulk with an extra camera for video.
One of the frustrations with the GoPro was the battery life. On a normal day a battery will only last for about 45mins of use, but with a few teaks I have managed to make the battery last for an extra 30-40 mins, so here are a few of the tweaks I use to extend my battery life.
Turn off voice control.
The one feature I found to be reducing my battery life the most was the voice activation. The GoPro has a feature where I can command the camera to start recording and do other things by simply talking to it, but unfortunately I found this to be draining the battery very quickly. I often use the GoPro within arms length so the voice activation was something I could live without.
Disable GoPro bluetooth and WiFI.
An extra step I took to help conserve power was to disable wireless connections such as WiFI and Bluetooth as I wasn’t using them.
Having a constant wireless connection will drain battery power, as it is contastly looking to connect, so by turning this off will help conserve that little bit of power.
Reduce the screen brightness.
A big user of power on any mobile device is the screen, luckily GoPro provide the facility to reduce the screen brightness, and they also allow you to turn the screen off when recording, after a set amount of time. These two steps will help improve battery life significantly.
Use an external power supply.
Another way to improve battery life of your GoPro is to use an external poswer source such as a battery bank, which can be plugged in through the cage that the device sits in. On the GoPro 4 and lower the power port was quite inaccessible due to the waterproof case. With the GoPro 5 and up, the device is quite waterproof without an external case, however having the external port cover open will reduce the effectiveness of the waterproofing, so use this with caution, but adding a external power bank can increase the battery time from an hour up to more than 4 hours.
I hope these tips were useful to improve your battery life of the GoPro. Leave a comment below if you find these useful. Don’t forgot to have a look at my channel trailer as well?
We tend to get ‘battery about to die’ caveats from our gadgets whilst texting with our close ones. Okay. Text all you want but please bear with me throughout before you plug the device on hand into the socket. Please note, these are guidelines that try to both provoke and offset some myths about battery charging, not a tutorial. The best learning experiences, after all. We are going to discuss the matter that mostly deals with the ways and means to improve the battery life on any smartphone.
Top 10 Ways to Improve the Battery Life
Here I am going to spell out a generic list of best tips and ways to follow to improve the battery life in your Phone. Though there are many tips available over the net, I think the below hacks will help you to maintain a good and healthy battery life.
1. Be Wary of Fast Charging Mechanisms
USB charging has forayed to even smartphones. And, yet, there are ambiguity w.r.t switching chargers. Is it needed? I could only draw examples from personal discretion. My Honor 6, for instance, has a non-removable battery. Plus, it has a unique fast-charging mechanism as mentioned below:
Image Source: Document Slide
Do we know the models which got exploded recently had gotten iron hot including, maybe, Galaxy Note 7? More on that later.
2. Charge on a Pro-rata Basis to Avoid Battery Swell
Normal batteries have a ‘memory effect’ which demands you to drain the battery fully before recharge. Whereas, Li-Ion batteries don’t require the device to be fully drained. In this respect, experts say it is advisable to charge only if the battery falls below 20%.
3. Keep Aside Magnet-proximity during Hibernation
Laptops-batteries tend to dip a wee bit when we close the lids. That is because the cover magnets keep backlit keys to be on even after shutdown or during hibernation. This has been doing the rounds for a long time and having tried it once I feel it exists.
The variations were subtle in my Honor 6, but they were variations nonetheless. And, least of all, when I removed the back cover of my phone – it had a tiny magnetic snapper – it’s battery life seems to have improved.
4. Be Wary of Charging Temperature
The ideal temperature for charging Li-Ion batteries is 0-45 degrees Celsius as Google has said it. Whereas, the ideal discharge temperature is 20-60 degrees Celsius. It’s got to do with the fact that lithium is subject to energy density, unlike a car battery. The Stefan-Boltzmann Law makes an inference with radiation and energy density, for instance. Of, course. That radiation does diminish battery life is somewhat obvious.
5. Fix Application Bugs, Get Rid of Unwanted Apps
Applications would demand a bigger memory and performance. Like, for instance, the apps which require GPS and Wi-Fi. Or, the ones which synchronize photos and images to Google Plus. Using a battery saver apps would help you monitor such applications, and either limit or prevent excess usage.
6. Rely on Adjustable Brightness, Power Saving Modes
Both can be accessed easily through widgets or home screen notification panel. My Honor 6 has an “Ultra Battery” mode which turns the screen into black, to Nokia 1110 lookalike. Not just in terms of look it keeps the functionality of the phone to a bare minimum. It gives you approximately 2 and ½ hours longevity than normal. I think such kind of features is there in almost all smartphones, just need to pay heed that is all. (Note: Not selling my phone. Just an example).
7. Rely on Manual Firmware Updates
OEM’s release firmware updates to fix the battery related issues in both phones and laptops. Recently Microsoft released an update for Surface Pro, it’s Macbook-equivalent tablet. MS explained the reasoning behind this in a press release:
“This update corrects the firmware component that functions as a “fuel gauge” so that the battery capacity is accurately reported.”
Okay. Point Eight ↓ ↓↓ ↓ builds on this further.
8. Do that, but don’t forget Over the Air (OTA) Updates
This is available in both Apple and Android. OTA firmware update varies from 50 MB to 150 MB. Whereas, for a manual update in PC via USB would take roundabout 1GB. Companies such as HTC M9 have released such OTA updates to rectify specified features such as camera, Battery life and more.
9. Buy Stock Android and Legit Windows
Speak of which, I am still bestowed with the pirated version of Windows for my Laptop. Pirated software would come up with unwanted updates all the time. Of, course. The original software works more fluidly than pirated ones, requires less update, and avoids sluggish performance too. All influencing factors on how much workload would the laptop have to carry.
10. Avoid Multitasking and Frequent Charging
You didn’t see the italicized double entendre the introduction, did you? Of, course. There is very little VR gaming, web browsing, texting and headbanging with headphones you can afford. You can ill afford such things, for it diverges from the main problem behind battery failure i.e., excess charging.
I invented the term; we all did. After all, how many times can you afford to charge your battery in one day? I would say the single charge is ideal. Like, what I am doing whilst writing this blog – my laptop had been in charge since forever. Okay. Guilty as charged.
What Galaxy Note 7 fiasco taught us?
It has been touched upon in many blogs already. Even after product recall and relaunch, the same fiasco returned to haunt Samsung and its patrons. But, the best thing they did is to officially take a stance on sales and urge users to return the product. There is no right or wrong in that, for it was one of those tactical decisions which had to be taken.
But, other than tactics, what it does is bring back the need for recycling portable battery through e-waste channels. You wouldn’t have thought about that yourselves, but truth be told – “Dumping is not a solution; showing responsibility without urge, is.”
I hope all these above-mentioned hacks will let you help to improve the battery life on your smartphone. If I missed any important tips and tricks about improving battery life, please don’t hesitate to share with our audiences in the comment section.
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GoPro has unveiled a new Bluetooth remote for controlling your GoPro camera. It’s simply called The Remote.
The smart remote is designed to be rugged enough to be a trustworthy companion during your outdoor adventures — it has a durable exterior and is waterproof down to 16 feet.
Roughly the size of a smartwatch, it can either be worn or mounted on things like straps, handlebars, and rollbars.
The simple user interface features a large high-resolution display screen and four large raised buttons that can be operated while wearing gloves.
“From riding, biking, and boating to surfing, skiing, and snowboarding, The Remote provides quick access to control the most-used camera functions, including powering on and off, mode changing and shutter button control,” GoPro says.
One remote can control up to 5 GoPro cameras simultaneously from up to 196 feet (60m) away.
The Remote is the successor to GoPro’s existing Smart Remote, which is compatible with older cameras and offers superior specs in certain areas — it has a range of up to 600 feet (180m), it can control up to 50 cameras at a time, and it’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10m).
The Remote, on the other hand, downgrades some of these features but uses Bluetooth Low Energy for maximum battery life (for both the remote and the camera) and a stronger pairing than previous remotes.
The Remote is compatible with HERO9 Black, HERO8 Black, and MAX cameras and is available in the GoPro online store for $80, the same price as the Smart Remote. Availability is currently limited to North America, but international markets will be getting the remote starting in February 2021.
Liza Brown
Jan 23, 2021• Proven solutions
As any camera buff must surely know by now, GoPro is one of the best action cams you can get in today’s market and it could get even better if you could somehow enhance its battery life. Thankfully there are certain GoPro settings which can be tweaked to maximize the GoPro battery life and in this article we are going to discuss a few easy ways of improving your GoPro battery life. On an average the battery of your GoPro would last just for about 1 ½ hours or even less while shooting in 4K with the LCD screen on and Wi-Fi connected.
You may also like:
How to Improve GoPro’s Battery life
1. Update the firmware
Are you still not taking the firmware updates of your camera seriously? Though most action camera shooters do not have the time to ponder over all those tech stuff, yet you need to keep your camera’s firmware updated if you are looking forward to conserving your battery. There is always a possibility that your GoPro firmware isn’t actually updated. Doing this would not just fix any recurrent problems which you might be having with your camera but it would also improve the battery life immensely because of any fixes implemented by the company. The GoPro firmware can be updated by connecting the cam to a smartphone over Wi-Fi and then by updating it with the help of the GoPro app. In case you are using an older model you have to download the firmware which is available on the GoPro website and then transfer it to your GoPro SD card and run the update from your cam.
2. Keep the cam turned off when not in use
This sounds pretty obvious doesn’t it? When you turn on your camera but not recording anything then the battery gets drains slowly. So make sure to keep your GoPro switched off whenever you are not shooting so as to save the battery. The Quick Capture is an useful feature which allows the cam to start recording instantly whenever it is powered on.
3. Use the “Auto Power Off Setting”
Many of us forget to switch on our cameras after shooting and this slowly depletes the camera’s battery. If you are one of those people who always forget to turn off the camera only to find a low battery indication after some time then what you need to do is turn on the вЂAuto Power Off Setting’. All you have to do is go to the settings menu and then click on the button 13 times till you have the option to select the number of seconds you would like to give your cam till it shuts down automatically. You can choose from 60, 120, and 300 seconds.
4. Turn off the red indicator and beeping lights
The red light which constantly blinks while shooting a footage is not just a major distraction to the viewer but also a cause of battery drainage. This red indicator light is meant for letting the user know when the cam is recording. However professional cinematographers will easily learn that as long as the record button is pressed properly the GoPro is going to start shooting no matter if the red light is blinking or not. Though the light indicator doesn’t have that much of an impact on the overall battery life but when it comes to battery life improvement every little thing helps.
5. Turn off the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Just like any other devices, turning off the WIFI and Bluetooth in your GoPro cam can greatly help to enhance the battery life. Turning of these 2 could extend your battery life by about 10-15 minutes. Make sure not to accidentally press the WIFI button at the side of your camera while shooting.
6. Give up the Remote and the smartphone app
The remote control of your GoPro is not just difficult to use but also takes a toll on the battery life of the camera. It could lower the overall battery life of your cam by about 15%-20% depending on the usage. Try using a selfie stick instead of the remote. Avoid pairing your cam with your phone since it’s more of a wastage of your time and the camera battery. So leave the remote behind and stop playing with your smartphone so as to shoot a lot more footage with your GoPro.
7. Reduce the frame rate or the recording resolution
Always keep in mind that the less the number of pixels and frames your camera is recording the less battery it uses. Try to have the video setting of your GoPro set to 1080p but for a special reason to shoot in ultra HD. Also make sure to turn off the Protune feature in your camera. The 1080p at 60 fps is the norm for shooting any GoPro footage. However you can always reduce it to 720p or leave it at 1080p only with 30 frames per sec instead of 60 unless you are shooting a professional video with the best possible res. If you are just shooting for fun then 720p is surely going to work great and more importantly it would give you more footage in the end.
8. Keep the LCD screen turned off
The LCD screens in the new GroPro are a superb feature which not only allows you to see whatever you are recording but also change the setting more conveniently. However the LCD screen can substantially drain the battery so when you want to capture more footage its best for you to turn off the LCD and shoot in the old school way.
9. Get extra batteries or an extended battery pack
Surely this is one of the easiest ways of getting the most out of your GoPro camera. You can just buy a few spare batteries from the 3rd party vendors at a very affordable price so that you don’t have to worry about shooting to your heart’s content.
There is nothing worse than running out of battery, whatever situation you’re in, but the average GoPro user is more likely than most to be enjoying some sort of extreme activity where power points are less accessible than usual. Limefuel, a company that got started back in 2013, will improve battery life by bringing its battery expertise to GoPro, writes Joshua Goldman for CNET.
Latest battery series from Limefuel
The company’s first product was called Blast, an ultrahigh-capacity portable battery pack which was promoted on Kickstarter. The following year it raised money for a rugged battery, and this time around it is focusing on GoPro batteries. The Epic battery series had surpassed its $1,000 Kickstarter goal by over $57,000 at the time of writing.
The series includes the Epic L52G3, a 5,200 mAh battery developed for the Hero 3/3+, which fits into the existing battery cavity on the back of the camera. Simply remove the standard battery pack and replace it with the Limefuel version, which can power your GoPro for up to 8 hours continuous use.
The battery weighs 110 grams and is almost the same size as the camera. The upgraded battery-camera combination weighs in at 152 grams, and Limefuel includes two waterproof housing backs capable of handling the extra size and weight. One is waterproof to 40 meters, and the other to 60 meters.
Range of GoPro models catered for
The original design for the Epic L38G4 battery pack for the GoPro Hero4 was for a two-piece battery, adapted for the camera’s bottom-loading battery compartment. However the design was changed after a survey of backers showed that the public was overwhelmingly in favor of a single pack, similar to GoPro’s BacPac design.
Users of the GoPro Hero camera were not left out, and owners of GoPro’s entry-level model can boost their battery life using the Epic L40GH.
The batteries are selling on Kickstarter, with prices starting around $35. Different battery packages are available should you want to pledge more than that, and you can even get extra batteries by pledging $1 plus shipping.
Limefuel’s Epic battery series seems to have a lot of fans online, and I wonder which sector the company will apply its battery expertise to next.
