GPS Navigation Class at Freshbikes Dec. 9, 11 or 12.

[JimF22003]

What do you know about replacing the battery on the Garmin 800? I see batteries available on the web but some information indicates you need a special tool, or you have to view a special installation video (??) My unit gives out after about 75 miles now if I’m following a route, especially if I have the map visible. Mine bit the dust on the way home from the cider ride on Saturday, so I have no official proof that I made it a 93-mile ride that day

[Dirt]

@JimF22003 71319 wrote:

What do you know about replacing the battery on the Garmin 800? I see batteries available on the web but some information indicates you need a special tool, or you have to view a special installation video (??) My unit gives out after about 75 miles now if I’m following a route, especially if I have the map visible. Mine bit the dust on the way home from the cider ride on Saturday, so I have no official proof that I made it a 93-mile ride that day

How many hours were you riding?

My 800 is good for almost 12 hours if I don’t stay on the map screen. It drops to about 9 if I’m on the map. I solve the problem by using a back-up battery when the battery gets low. Charge it on the go. Garmin makes a nice one. I use the single cell battery from Exposure. It takes an adapter to plug into a micro USB, but it can also recharge my lights.

You can send it back for a refurb, but there’s no guarantee that it will last a lot longer.

[JimF22003]

@Dirt 71332 wrote:

My 800 is good for almost 12 hours if I don’t stay on the map screen.

Mine used to be too. I only used it for about 5 hours on Saturday before it died. I was using the nav, but wasn’t showing the map that much. The battery has just started lasting less and less for the last few months. Other than that it still works fine, so I’m reluctant to upgrade.

I guess I’ll go for the refurb, or take a shot at the replacement batteries available. I’m hesitant to take a crowbar to the back of the unit, or whatever it is you have to do to break into it to change the battery.

[Tim Kelley]

Are you running the screen on, with full brightness? That makes a huge difference. And running guidance (big white arrows) is also more draining that just having the course map up and following the lines.

How long does it work if you are just out riding and recording?

[JimF22003]

It’s about 75% brightness. If I’m following a course, I don’t usually even have the map showing. I just rely on it telling me when there’s a turn coming up. The only time I use the map to actually find my way around, is when I’m lost

I really had no problems with the battery life until a few months ago. I’ve gone as long as 10 hours while following a route before, and longer if I’m just using it to track data. I think it’s just getting worn out.

I went ahead and ordered a replacement battery. It looks like the “special tool” required is just a screw driver, which is included.

[Dirt]

Due to weather concerns, tonight’s session has been moved to next week. I’ll update the original posting.

December 16th at 6:30pm for the Mosaic session. The other sessions this week will still go off as planned.

[Dirt]

The first of these sessions is tonight at the Arlington shop. We’ll start up at 7pm. Look forward to seeing you there!

3924 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22203

Thanks

Pete

[Dirt]

GPS Nav Clinic at Mosaic tonight! Hope to see some of you out there. Should be fun. We’ll likely go for a beer at Matchbox after.

[KelOnWheels]

I missed the classes…

But Santa brought me an Edge 500!

I’m just setting up the pages and I liked the look of this setup someone posted on Bikeforums:

Page 1- Instantaneous Data
– Current Speed
– Training Time
– Distance Traveled
– Current Cadence
– Current Heart Rate

Page 2 – Averages and Sums
– Average Speed
– Average Cadence
– Calories
– Heart Rate Zone
– Average Heart Rate
– Heart Rate % Max

Page 3 – Conditions
– Time of Day
– Temperature
– Total Distance ( i know I have it here too )
– Total Ascent
– Grade
– Elevation

Whatcha think?

I’ve already discovered that the user manual is really not helpful.

[JimF22003]

Nice!

I max out the first page, including temps, elevation, total ascent, grade, heading etc., and then don’t use any of the other pages.

I need to use bifocals in order to read the tiny little print though…

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@KelOnWheels 72665 wrote:

I missed the classes…

But Santa brought me an Edge 500!

I’m just setting up the pages and I liked the look of this setup someone posted on Bikeforums:

.
Whatcha think?

I’ve already discovered that the user manual is really not helpful.

Hi Kel,
I find that ‘heading’ is very satisfying to display (cardinal compass points not degrees) Most weather sources show wind direction this way.
Dave

[rcannon100]

You young people.

Page 1: Speed + Distance

Page 2: Speed + Temperature

Page 3: Speed + Time of Day

Translation: The Garmin is set on the old people, large type edition. Two fields per page means I can actually see the numbers as I am riding.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@rcannon100 72691 wrote:

You young people.

Page 1: Speed + Distance

Page 2: Speed + Temperature

Page 3: Speed + Time of Day

Translation: The Garmin is set on the old people, large type edition. Two fields per page means I can actually see the numbers as I am riding.

And that you’re constantly taunted by the speed display.

[vvill]

If you use HR you can show a little graph of your HR which is kinda nice.

[JimF22003]

P.S. I’m a “north up” guy on the map, and not a “track up” guy. I like the subtle sense of confusion I get when I think I’m heading one way, and the map tells me I’m nuts…

[Author]

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