mcgyver303
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Posts posted by mcgyver303
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No, the CR-V3’s don't have enough of a recess between the cells. We have a set in one of our company's digital cameras.
Found out that the 60CSx voltage range (battery-wise) is 3-3.5 vdc, so as long as you get the lithium’s down below 1.75v per cell - they should be fine. 30-60 seconds in a flashlight should be enough to bleed off the .04-.05 volts.
Everybody has their own preferences on battery type. While I like rechargeable, they don't work well for where I live. I have to drive 60 miles to go grocery shopping for instance, so it's not practical for me to rely on a battery type that requires a wall outlet.
When I bought my last digital camera, being able to use regular batteries over a rechargeable battery pack was one of my primary requirements. But I also have a XM Radio boombox that uses 6 D-Cells and/or an AC adapter. In that unit, I use NiMH's to start with and then when they die out in the camp - switch over to Duracells.
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just testing
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**UPDATE**
Heard back from Garmin Tech support today.
"For non-rechargable lithium batteries, you will want to use the lithium-ion feature on the menu."
Hope this helps, I know it makes me feel batter.
Classic example of Garmin's reps no longer knowing their product.
IT DON"T WORK NOW, AND IT AIN'T NEVER WORKED!
(Pardon the shouting)
To put things in perspective, this is the only thing on the 60CSx that still irritates me; otherwise I'm extremly happy with it - I think its the best consumer handheld on the market (along with the 76 x's). If they would either fix it or just admit that they can't, I would be satisfied. But to keep putting out this bull really bugs me.
I've never heard of a 76C/CSx user having the problem, so this may be unique to the 60C/CSx models, and even perhaps to the earliest units.
Not quite sure what you mean "DON'T WORK". I know it's working in my unit. Because I've had my third set of Energizer e-Lithium batteries in for over a week and it's working great. Last night, I told the co-worker that turned me on to the 60CSx about the reply from Garmin and he said that he always uses the e-Lithiums during his snowmobile runs because of the exreme cold (and he's been also setting his to the "Lithium-Ion" setting - didn't know about the difference). He has the same GPS/software version as I do ( the latest), so maybe that has something to do with it.
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Two batteries at 1.79volts is 3.58 volts, and I think that amount of voltage is really pushing it for any GPS, but I could be wrong.
That's why I was using the Lithium setting in the System menu. That and one of our local GPS instructors said he was told to do the same thing by a Garmin Tech.
The 1.79Vdc reading was "unloaded". Once in the unit, they were closer to 1.72Vdc each. But after doing the "burndown" tip in a tv remote, the unloaded voltage is now about 1.68Vdc. While the loaded voltage is 1.66Vdc on average.
Hopefully, I'll hear back from Garmin soon to verify what the instructor told me.
**UPDATE**
Heard back from Garmin Tech support today.
"For non-rechargable lithium batteries, you will want to use the lithium-ion feature on the menu."
Hope this helps, I know it makes me feel batter.
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Two batteries at 1.79volts is 3.58 volts, and I think that amount of voltage is really pushing it for any GPS, but I could be wrong.
That's why I was using the Lithium setting in the System menu. That and one of our local GPS instructors said he was told to do the same thing by a Garmin Tech.
The 1.79Vdc reading was "unloaded". Once in the unit, they were closer to 1.72Vdc each. But after doing the "burndown" tip in a tv remote, the unloaded voltage is now about 1.68Vdc. While the loaded voltage is 1.66Vdc on average.
Hopefully, I'll hear back from Garmin soon to verify what the instructor told me.
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You reach the 2025 limit quickly if you're loading the topo map. That mapset has small segments.
I was just working with my TOPO set, and I figure it will take 4 SD card to have the entire 48 continental US loaded on them. The US East has 2565 maps using only 658 MB, and the US West has 5187 using 1.509 GB
If it was not for the 2025 limit, you could get it all on 2 cards
Could you load the map segments in two or more map files on the card to get past the 2025 limit? Or does MapSource just overwrite the data each time?
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I have the 60CSx. Really love the way it sits in my hand. My priorities when buying were:
1) Size - small enough to fit in the pocket of my baggy shorts, but a screen big enough to be able to see without taking off my glasses. I am so impressed by the screen, clearly visible even in direct sunlight!
2) Sensitivity - Hike everything from alpine mountains both above & below treeline and canyons. It excels at getting and holding onto a signal. Even under Ponderosa pines, I get accuracy below 20' most of the time (usually around 14'-15').
3) Ease of carrying - the 60CSx has a screw-in button on the back that clips into a cell-phone-like swivel belt clip that I find very handy. I think the 76CSx just has a lanyard (I think).
One of my hiking partners has the 76CSx and does seem to lose a little sensitivity under the tree cover, due to the internal antenna I'm sure.
I don't think you can go wrong with either unit, but I would suggest going to a store and holding each one to see which feels the best.
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You reach the 2025 limit quickly if you're loading the topo map. That mapset has small segments.
I was just working with my TOPO set, and I figure it will take 4 SD card to have the entire 48 continental US loaded on them. The US East has 2565 maps using only 658 MB, and the US West has 5187 using 1.509 GB
If it was not for the 2025 limit, you could get it all on 2 cards
Could you load the map segments in two or more map files on the card to get past the 2025 limit? Or does MapSource just overwrite the data each time?
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The "Lithium Ion" setting appeared silently at a recent firmware upgrade, and is not mentioned in the manual (unless they have updated it on-line). "Lithium ion" is NOT THE SAME as "Lithium". LiION batteries are rechargeable and have a voltage of a bit over 3v per cell, so a single-cell LiION battery can replace a pair of alkaline, NiMH, or lithium batteries. Since there is apparently no LiION battery that fits the Garmin 2-AA battery compartments, the purpose of the setting is a mystery. Some other Garmin units (such as the eTrex Vista) did have a "Lithium" setting added during a firmware upgrade, and that works with lithium AA cells. The 60CSx appears to work with lithiums if you use the NiMH setting.
Actually, I've been using the Lithium-Ion setting with the regular Lithium batteries and it works great. I did this because the the guy who teaches GPS classes at the local Sportsman's Warehouse told me that was the correct setting for Lithiums. But I've sent off an email to Garmin support to confirm this. I'll let you know what I hear.
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Well Neo, not all of us knew about the Ultra II's. Sometimes it's harder to find a post that's been on a lot due to the huge number of search returns you get.
So thanks for the info Gare-oh, saved me some $$.
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Thanks Folks, that did the trick. I figured that since the CSx had a "Lithium Ion" setting, it would be able to deal with the higher starting voltage. That and the fact that these were the second set of lithium batteries that I had tried. I guess the first set must have been on the shelf for a while and dropped enough voltage to work. I guess I'll have to go out and buy a AA flashlight again (I've switched over to LED's using 123 lithiums).
Thanks again everyone!
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Ok, here's a strange one. Tried searching for this, but came up empty.
I went to change the Energizer e Lithium batteries in my 60CSx with a fresh set. When I started it up, the screen would come up and then fade away after a few seconds. First thought was that I had bought a bad package of litium batteries, so I measured them and found that they were fine (1.79vdc). Tried putting the old Lithium batteries back in and everything worked fine (battery meter showing them to be weak, but the unit stayed on). So I tried switching back to the new lithiums, but the same fading/low battery thing happened again.
I do have the "Battery Type" set to Lithium, and I've even tried switching it to alkaline & NiMH and then back to Lithium. As well as actually inserting some alkalines and then lithiums again. I've also bought some more lithiums from a different manufacturing batch, but still had the same problem. I really prefer using the lithiums, as I get a lot more running time.
Has anyone else had this problem??
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Thanks for the help folks. I was able to borrow another 60CSx for a day to compare it to and can see how the different position helps. I was just a little worried that I might have a lemon, and I only had a few days left to return it to the store if it was. Also, I think the other unit must have "talked" to mine because now, even lying down, it's doing much better.
And my apologies to Suscrofa. My personal computer has been down for a couple of weeks and I was using a neighbor's to look for help so I only had a few minutes to do any searching.
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Just got my new 60CSx and loving it. But have a question. With the unit sitting still, either in hand or out, my position on the Tracking Map jumps all over the place. This is with a minimum of 5 sats being locked in out in the open. Is this normal? The variation of position can be as much as a hundred feet at times, but most of the time is around 25 - 50 feet.
I expected some variation while moving, but figured with the Sirf chipset that this one would be more accurate. I live at about 9500' and this happens on clear & cloudy days and nights. Looks like a wino with the shakes, ha! It doesn't seem to matter whether I have 5, 7, or more sats either.
Also, I did download the latest firmware updates.
Thanks
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Nice site. Do the iFINDER series have a dedicated Geocache mode? Right now, I'm trying to decide between the Garmin Vista Cx or GPSMap 60 Csx and the Lowrance iFinder Expedition C. Garmin seem to have more software available, but the MapCreate topo looks like it's 1:24000 vs Garmin's 1:100,000 and Garmins seems to have more software. Though I'm not crazy about Lowrance's SD card limit, I wish they had a visual example somewhere.
I'm going to use this primarily for hiking/geocaching. Any thougts?
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Yeah, you might want to think about starting a little lower on the price. Why would I want to buy a "used" GPS for so close to the price of a new unit? Even with the extras, it's still used. Not trying to be mean, just a long time eBay seller. Good Luck
What is a GPX file and how do I use it?
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
The way I've been doing it is by clicking on the "User Note" box in the line of the cache. That's the column that looks like a page (usually next to the column with the human figure). This will bring up a notes window that you can either "cut & paste" the info into or type it directly. But remember, the character limit in the CSx is limited to 30 characters (including spaces).
This is the only thing I don't understand about the the note field in the 60CSx, there is room for about 60 characters.