Garmin 800

[welshwhit]

Hi folks,

What do people think of the garmin800?

Is it worth it or are there any worthy alternatives?

Thanks

Drew

[Bearbonesnorm]

Doesn't take AA batteries so I imagine that'll sideline it for many ... can't simply detour to the Spar for spares

[FLV]

exactly what stu said. lovly bit of kit but its a problem with batteries for me

[Chew]

One thing to think about is battery life.

I have a Garmin Dakota which runs off AA's so if i'm up for a couple of days i can take spares, or for longer trips you can always top up the local shop

[johnnystorm]

USB batterypacks will keep the Edges going. Granted, not so handy though.

[mountainbaker]

I've got one with OS maps, and aside from the internal battery, it's a great piece of kit. Haven't had problems with battery life, but you have to remember to make sure the backlight is off, and don't leave it on the map view for too long as that drains it. I've had 10+ hours out of it easily.

As long as it has the latest firmware, it will charge from a powerchimp (or other usb power source) while being in use.

[welshwhit]

I like the look of the Garmin 800 as I'd be using it on my road bike as well. Plus I also usually carry a powerchimp type extra battery for my phone, so figure this would work on this too.

But its a big investment, so what do other folks use as an alternative to look at?

Thanks

Drew

[johnnystorm]

I recently bought a Dakota and for nav use the bigger screen is nice but its not as good for the bike related starting/stopping/recording rides compared to my edge 200. Even with 2900 mah AAs the battery life isn't half as good as the edge 200. That only matters if you're out to smash Strava KOMs though.

[ericrobo]

I have an Edge 800 and am still researching what to use to keep it going for a few days riding.
Has anybody used PortaPow ?
http://www.portablepowersupplies.co.uk/ ... tery-pack/

[johnnystorm]

I use a New Trent battery pack. You charge it from the mains and you can charge pretty much anything that can be charged via USB. Available in a few different sizes. Here's an example. Handy as you'll get multiple edge/iPhone charges from it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004CHM ... -1&pi=SL75

[ericrobo]

Just checked that...
Weight is 907g = 45ozs...
heavier than my tent !!
or have I missed something...

[johnnystorm]

Well it is 12x the capacity of the edge battery! I suspect 900gms is the weight including the cardboard box, charger etc it comes with. I think mine is a 5000 mah one. Certainly doesn't weigh the same as my tent!

[tea-face]

someone might find this useful

etrex 20 with full OS mapping
using 2x lithium AA's (energiser? i can check)
on screen map mode plus track logging - no backlight
lasted 4 days of riding 10-11 hrs - never switched off for lunch etc.
and still had enough for a couple commutes to work (another 4 hrs)
average 15°C temps

so being generous and rounding all that down - I reckon it would be good for 40hrs

yes i was suprised too

[johnnystorm]

Wowzers, impressive. The Dakota with back lighting on did about 4 hours. When it did conk out it still saved the trip data. That was with 2900 mah rechargeables. With no back lighting (screen still showing the map the whole time) I managed at least five hours, I didn't run it until it died. I need to test it to flat with both no illumination & screen off I think.

[Ian]

I've got a pair of lithium AA's in my Etrex 30 currently. They've done about 10 hours so far, much of that barely above freezing, and of the four-part indicator icon three are still lit.

[welshwhit]

Sounds promising,

I went for the Dakota 20 in the end because of the batteries. I'll have a good test and let folk know what times I get too