Bluetooth battery drain?

[JTsyo]

The new car has bluetooth connection for the phone so I synced the two. But now I notice my battery drains a lot faster. Is this normal with bluetooth? Is it since I'm mostly not in my car the phone searches for a connection like it would if it didn't have a cell tower in range?

 

[dagamer34]

It does cause some drain. Turn it off when you aren't using it.

 

[nickbits]

It is normal.

 

[lopri]

A bluetooth controller has 3 different stages, iirc.

- When it actively seeks something to connect
- When it opens itself to allow incoming requests
- When paring is complete and discrete connection is established

Only the first 2 stages bluetooth should consume any noticeable amount power. For actual data delivery under ad-hoc connection its power consumption is minuscule.

 

[JTsyo]

A bluetooth controller has 3 different stages, iirc.

- When it actively seeks something to connect
- When it opens itself to allow incoming requests
- When paring is complete and discrete connection is established

Only the first 2 stages bluetooth should consume any noticeable amount power. For actual data delivery under ad-hoc connection its power consumption is minuscule.

It's in the first mode most of the time. I'm only in my car for 40 mins a day. Not sure it's worthwhile to turn BT on and off as I only get a call once in awhile while driving. Too bad there isn't a way to turn it on automatically when I get in the car.

 

[RedRooster]

Use Widgetsoid. Unlock your phone, tap, done. Or Tasker if you're really adventurous.
I'm in the same boat as you, and just toggle when I get in and out, its as easy as checking the time.

 

[JTsyo]

Use Widgetsoid. Unlock your phone, tap, done. Or Tasker if you're really adventurous.
I'm in the same boat as you, and just toggle when I get in and out, its as easy as checking the time.

Not a smart phone, just an old school flip phone.

 

[RedRooster]

Ah, sorry about that. You're right, it probably is constantly searching, sucking up the juice.
I'm more concerned about streaming my music, if it was just for the phone part of it I'd probably leave it off too.