Battery life on 60CSX

[GeoBobC]

I'm sure it's been asked and answered many times. My apologies as I cannot find the correct topic.

 

I just bought a 60CSx. I've been using a 60Cx for many years.

 

How much less battery life will I get by leaving the electronic compass turned on? Garmin's owner manual states "Extensive use of screen backlighting, electronic compass, and audible tones signficantly reduce battery life".

[RenHoek]

I ran some battery tests awhile ago on my 60CSx. Here's what I found using a new pair of Rayovac Hybrid batteries:

 

Backlight off, compass on, WAAS on: 16.30 hrs -- Reference

Backlight off, compass OFF, WAAS on: 16.80 hrs 3% gain

Backlight ON 50%, Compass OFF, WAAS on: 10.51 hrs 35.5% loss

Backlight ON 25%, Compass OFF, WAAS on: 12.64 hrs 22.5% loss

 

So, the compass is relatively negligible compared to the backlight.

 

-RenHoek

[gallet]

I ran some battery tests awhile ago on my 60CSx. Here's what I found using a new pair of Rayovac Hybrid batteries:

 

Backlight off, compass on, WAAS on: 16.30 hrs -- Reference

Backlight off, compass OFF, WAAS on: 16.80 hrs 3% gain

Backlight ON 50%, Compass OFF, WAAS on: 10.51 hrs 35.5% loss

Backlight ON 25%, Compass OFF, WAAS on: 12.64 hrs 22.5% loss

 

So, the compass is relatively negligible compared to the backlight.

 

-RenHoek

 

That sounds about right. And I guess we now have the answer as to why the 60CSx backlight at 100% is equivalent to the HCx backlight at 20%.