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Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 10:25 pm
by ctznsmith
Is there a way to make a Garmin (Oregon*) light up when you get to a turn/junction on a route?

*I reckon if you can do it on a Dakota or Etrex it'll be similar on an Oregon.

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 11:43 pm
by Taylor
On a route when you approach a waypoint it should beep and light up but if your following a track it'll stay dormant.

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 7:51 am
by wildgecko
Not quite answering the question but.....if you're following a track and set 'off track alert' it will beep and light up letting you know you've left the track. I use this as a compromise. Not quite early warning of a turn but I don't go very far wrong before I realise.

Si

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 10:31 am
by ctznsmith
Thanks, both solid answers.

(Adds helmet light to packing list :roll:)

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 11:00 am
by Trail-rat
hmm need to have a play wit hthis.

currently i just usb wire into a 10000mah battery pack that lives in my frame bag.

garmin etrex uses next to none of it to stay lit all day - how ever approaching a waypoint light up would be a fair compromise.

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 1:28 am
by tanadog
I've been playing around with these options too and have come to the conclusion it's easiest to run a helmet light. I use an etrex 30 and don't "follow" (GO function) the track, just keep the track on screen. I played with having the backlight really low, but as I'm not running a dynamo I found that used too much battery power.

I've got a BD Spot headlamp that I run on it's lowest setting and this allows to me to just glance down at the screen while riding and see that the triangle is on course. (I use a handlebar light also). I'll have a play with the off track alert function too. Could be a good option in areas of tricky nav or times of low lucidity

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 10:19 am
by Taylor
I normally run my screen with a low back light but also have the screen switch off after 15 seconds.
A quick tap of my screen and the thing lights up. No headlight needed.

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 10:27 am
by ctznsmith
Taylor wrote:I normally run my screen with a low back light but also have the screen switch off after 15 seconds.
A quick tap of my screen and the thing lights up. No headlight needed.
Yeah I tap it at the moment to light it up which is fine unless you require both hands on the bars e.g. on a tricky/bumpy descent with a turn/junction.

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 11:08 am
by benp1
Same as Taylor for me. I often have the battery saving function on too

a set of batteries will usually last 2 days, I usually carry back ups just in case anyway

(Oregon 550t here)

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 12:21 pm
by Taylor
ctznsmith wrote:
Taylor wrote:I normally run my screen with a low back light but also have the screen switch off after 15 seconds.
A quick tap of my screen and the thing lights up. No headlight needed.
Yeah I tap it at the moment to light it up which is fine unless you require both hands on the bars e.g. on a tricky/bumpy descent with a turn/junction.
I find that if I need both hands on the bars on a technical descent I won't be looking down at my gps until I've finished the section.

Re: Garmin backlight question.

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 1:14 am
by tanadog
Taylor wrote:I normally run my screen with a low back light but also have the screen switch off after 15 seconds.
A quick tap of my screen and the thing lights up. No headlight needed.
the advantages of a touchscreen eh.