+Bluejaytoo Posted June 8, 2002 Share Posted June 8, 2002 Hello gang, this is my first post. I bought my first GPSr the other day: the eTrex Summit. Today I set out to find my first cache. I hadn't really planned on going when I did, but I had a photo assignment nearby, so I decided to go for it when I was finished with the assignment. It's a 3/1 cache, so I figured it shouldn't be *too* hard for a beginner. Anyway, things were going swimmingly until I got within 100 feet and the batteries went dead in the eTrex. I couldn't believe it, since the unit has only been on a couple hours since I put in fresh Duracells. Is this typical with these things? Garmin claims up to a 16-hour battery life! Quote Link to comment
+Lazyboy & Mitey Mite Posted June 8, 2002 Share Posted June 8, 2002 They should have lasted a lot longer than that. Were they fresh going in? where they the ones that came with the unit? Those might be faulty. I have a Magellan and mine always burns batteries faster than the garmins. But I love it anyway Never Squat With Yer Spurs On Quote Link to comment
+Bluejaytoo Posted June 8, 2002 Author Share Posted June 8, 2002 They were fresh; my second set. The dumb thing is, I had another set in the trunk of my car, but didn't think to bring them along. Guess I'll watch that little battery meter a little more closely from now on... Quote Link to comment
TripleMCachers Posted June 8, 2002 Share Posted June 8, 2002 Not sure about the e-trex, but did you have the backlight on? Holly Selden Quote Link to comment
+Bluejaytoo Posted June 8, 2002 Author Share Posted June 8, 2002 As far as I know, the backlight wasn't on. But it was a bright, sunny day, so who knows... Quote Link to comment
+Lazyboy & Mitey Mite Posted June 8, 2002 Share Posted June 8, 2002 Oh that backlight will really drain it fast. Check that out. Where the batteries showing fully charged at the start? Never Squat With Yer Spurs On Quote Link to comment
+Bluejaytoo Posted June 8, 2002 Author Share Posted June 8, 2002 Even if the backlight were on (I really don't think so), it's set up to turn itself off after 30 seconds. I didn't check the battery level meter when I installed them, but they were certainly fresh. I just put in two more new ones, and I checked the meter; it shows full power. We'll see how long these ones last... Quote Link to comment
magellan315 Posted June 9, 2002 Share Posted June 9, 2002 One of the best things I have done is get a fanny pack that allows me to carry one bottle of water and I put everything I need in it before I leave the house. Extra batteries, bandaids, cache bait, ect. In the course of an average day of caching have had my batteries die in mid hunt. Keep in mind that if you leave the batteries in the GPS and don't use for a week or so it will still draw power from the batteries and run them down. Quote Link to comment
Night Tracker Posted June 9, 2002 Share Posted June 9, 2002 On units with electronic compasses and altimeters, go to "set up" and turn off altimeter (and or compass) it should improve run times. It's a good idea to use NiMH batteries and carry spares in your carry pack whatever that may be.. Support PETA: Please Eat Tasty Animals Quote Link to comment
+Bluejaytoo Posted June 9, 2002 Author Share Posted June 9, 2002 Thanks for the tips guys! Looks like I'll be investing in some rechargeables. I'm amazed, though, that Garmin would misrepresent battery life by that much. I'm going back for that elusive cache! Quote Link to comment
skydiver Posted June 9, 2002 Share Posted June 9, 2002 I've got a bottom of the line etrex, and have hunted up to 3 caches on a single set of batteries, so I think you probably had a bad set of batteries. They should have lasted much longer. --- Two paths diverged in a wood, and my... my GPSr pointed dead center between them. --- Quote Link to comment
Packet Rat Posted June 9, 2002 Share Posted June 9, 2002 I have a Garmin eTrex Vista and use it with the altimeter and electronic cumpass both turned on. I hunted 2 caches yesterday, and 1 today. Total on time was about 7 hours, and there is still a little time left in them according to the meter. You must have had bad batteries. I'm a hooked newbie too! Found both caches yesterday, but got skunked today. That's allright though, I'm going back! Packet Rat Quote Link to comment
Stargher Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 I bought my eTrex saturday and used it for quite a bit on sunday. Then the batteries went dead. Ok, no biggie. I thought I had had it running all day configuring it, but today I used it for 3 hours and got low battery warnings! It sure sucks 'em. I'll go for the rechargeable batteries even though Garmin says "you shouldn't use them..." DUH & GRR! Quote Link to comment
Night Tracker Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 When the product manual states "up to X hours, they mean your mileage may very. I use NiMH batteries and have alkalines for backup because they have long shelf life. I save these for emergency use only so they stay fresh..My charger is able to use 12v power for those camping trips..... Support PETA: Please Eat Tasty Animals Quote Link to comment
+majicman Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Welcome to our obsession! BTWE - See the other discussions in here for a good list of Rechargables and cost. I use the $34 Maha MH-C204F with the 1700 batteries and have NOTHING but GOOD things to say about both! Excellent value, excellent charge time, run time, and battery life! (See other discussion started by mommy#1 for details!) majicman Quote Link to comment
+DubyaDee Posted June 12, 2002 Share Posted June 12, 2002 I use an E-Trex Legend. 18 hour bat life? I have used it for 10 hours before they died. Sometimes I wonder when it gets low how effective my unit is. It's probably doing fine. I'm running down. WD At this point I would rather watch the parade than lead it! Quote Link to comment
syd_b_lives_on Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I too have a Garmin Etrex and it sucked batteries fast. (dead in 3 hrs.) I figured that either the batteries were bad or I was missing something. Anyhow, I looked in the user manual and discovered that there is a "battery save" mode. This is found under the mode menu on the system page. When in "battery save" mode, the etrex turns itself on and off alternatively to conserve power. It sounds kinda like a pie-in-the-sky idea, but it definitely works. I am now getting about 15 hrs. on a set of batteries. One note though. When in "battery save" mode, the GPS isn't as accurate, due to the fact that you're not getting a constant reading. So when close to a cache, make sure to switch to normal mode. Quote Link to comment
needles Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I got a set of 4 rechargeables at Radio Shack, 19.99 plus tax, charger included... No problems at all going for a full weekend... Why buying non-rechargeable batteries? Quote Link to comment
michianajones Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I got the same set from Radio Shack for my Garmin GPS 12, they lasted from Saturday evening into Monday evening. That was after hunting 3 caches and several Benchmarks. Definately a good investment! Quote Link to comment
skorpyon Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 It may not be that Garmin misrepresented its product, but that Duracell misrepresented theirs. I have had a "bad batch" of batteries (possibly made on a Friday at quitting time ) last for a very short time. I like the NiMH from the Shack. skorpyon Quote Link to comment
skorpyon Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 It may not be that Garmin misrepresented its product, but that Duracell misrepresented theirs. I have had a "bad batch" of batteries (possibly made on a Friday at quitting time ) last for a very short time. I like the NiMH from the Shack. skorpyon Quote Link to comment
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