I know there are many Garmin users out there, so this is more of a call for suggestions than a blog post. Bike computer management philosophy. How do you manage to continue capturing one-day ultra ride data with your 305 or 705 (or even the new 500 model)? I’ve heard of some handy users cracking open the device and soldering in additional or replacement batteries (beyond my skill level). I’ve also heard of users creating external battery packs with Altoids tins or purchasing consumer electronics varieties that provide needed juice. There’s no more of a bummer on a big ride (short of cramps) when the screen on Garmin goes out once you’ve burned through a full charge of battery life. I’ve been losing mine between the 10-hour and 11-hour marks consistently (I turn it off at rest stops to conserve, then fire back up when pedaling). If you’ve come up with a bullet-proof solution, I hope you can share with readers here. I know I’m not the only one.
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I use a Garmin 60CSx, which is heavier, larger and bulkier than the trick little Edge series of GPS(es) that are out now. However, I can’t get over how fast they lose their power. My 60CSx runs off AA batteries, so it’s easy to carry spares, or even run into a store and pickup some replacements. I’d really like to move to an Edge series, but I like riding for hours on end, and the Edge just doesn’t seem like it’s built for rides like that. I wish it was though.
I have owned a 705 since they came out, well actually 3 of them, lost the 1st one the 2nd was run overand all of them have have given me at least 14 hours of battery use on a charge, now my old 305 was a different story I was getting about 6 hours a charge, my wife has a new 500 and Garmin says 18 hours but she has yet to test that. I use heart rate and cadance but no powermeter
I have had very good experiences with my Garmin Edge 500 living up to its claimed battery life of 18 hours. I use my with a cadence sensor and I have done two doubles using it since it got it last December.
One double I had the 500 turned on for 14 hr 20 min and the other, longer double , I had it on for 15 hr 38 min.
So it looks like I don’t need the extra battery life gizmos we both have seen out there.
Any decent portable power source that features a mini-USB plug should work right. Duracell make some (Power Reserve) along with many other brands. I just picked up a cheap ($9) “Ultra ULT40442″ that takes a single AA battery – it seems to charge the Edge 305 ok. I’ll use Eneloop rechargeables in there to top up my 305 on those epic rides. This metal unit plus one AA battery weighed about 60 grams and the 305 weighs about 80 grams iirc. The biggest wrinkle may be whether you can fit the cable into your mini-USB slot while your GPS is fitted and how best to strap down the charger on your bars. O-rings, etc.
My current (no pun intended) solution is the Energizer Energi To-Go battery pack. It gives me an extra ~ 6 hours running time, which I hope is enough to last thru most if not all ultra events. It uses the li disposable AA batteries; not the most e-friendly, but there it is. I haven’t tested it with regular AAs or NiMH rechargeables yet (it may not even work with those). I’ll be riding the Davis double in a few weeks; so I’ll be able to provide some ‘real world’ feedback after.
I’ve tried a few other approaches. I had an iPod-sized batt pack the powered the device for 24 hours plus, but the connectors were seriously bulky, and actually damaged the usb/power port a bit, so that it doesn’t fit the connector snugly enough to maintain constant power. I’ve also tried the Duracell AA pack: avoid that piece of dreck at all costs!
Hope this helps.
Garmin sells a small charger. zip tie it to the bottom of your stem, plug it in at 8 hours and you’re golden.
A quick search led me to this: APC Mobile Power Pack.
Many, many thanks, crew! I was under the weather this week after turning up this post, and just logged on tonight into the BC admin tool to see all the suggestions and feedback on other Garmin models. Thanks for coming by and sharing. Jeff
I used my Energizer Energi To-Go on the Davis DC last weekend, loaded with the “ultimate lithium” batteries. The setup powered my Garmin 705 for 13 hours before the device started warning me that it had lost external power. The external battery pack continued to supply supplemental power to the 705 until the end of my ride nearly 18 hours later. The charge level on the internal battery was nearly 100%.
You need some room between your stem and the bottom of the Garmin for the connector to fit. I have a swing-grip attachment on my stem to accommodate this. Without such an attachment, there isn’t enough clearance. Your mileage may vary, but this is a keeper for me!