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GPS slow to lock and battery life

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jonoMT View Drop Down
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    Posted: October/21/2012 at 16:54
A couple of GPS related items.
 
I noticed both Friday and Saturday it took longer than usual for my GPS to achieve a lock on satellites (same outdoor conditions as usual and fresh alkalines). I mentioned it to my friend while hunting and his (different make) was also having the same problem. I wonder if there was increased solar activity. http://www.spaceweather.com/ reported a strong flare detected yesterday.
 
The other item: Has anyone used lithium batteries in a GPS? Are they worth it? It was cold yesterday and after 2 hours of operation Friday and 10 on Saturday I had to drop in new alkalines. Not a big deal, but reading that lithium batteries are a third lighter is a plus and while I'd still carry spares, mostly I just hate unscrewing the cover to change batteries. Right now, I can either carry two sets of alkalines or three sets of rechargeables.
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Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/21/2012 at 17:01
I always use lithiums.  They last at least twice as long, and it keeps me from packing more backups. 
 
I used me GPS all day yesterday without issue.
-Matt
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jonoMT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/21/2012 at 19:25
Thx. I'll give them a try next time. Acquiring satellites was the only technical issue. Once locked on it was 6 to 8 ft accuracy all day.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/23/2012 at 15:54
I have switched to lithiums exclusively in my GPS and my game cams that use AA batts.  They do indeed provide about 2X the life of alkaline batts.  If you use lithium batts in your GPS, don't forget to go into your GPS settings menu and select "lithium" under batt type.  Or, at least the current Garmin units have this option in the settings.  I don't know if any harm will come to your GPS if you don't do this, but supposedly it has something to do with matching the unit's power draw to the batt capacity.

On the slower than normal satellite lock issue, I have no idea what caused that.
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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jonoMT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/23/2012 at 16:51
Mine has lithium as an option under battery type. I'm also curious to see how the lithiums hold up to the cold. When we were out the other day, the alkalines I had dropped to 25% by the end of the day. It was cold enough to snow. Just turning the unit on now to check the battery type options I noticed it was saying 85% and that's with about a 35 degree difference.
 
Speaking of snow, in a more perfect world I'd be out hitting the elk hunting hard today instead of working.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/23/2012 at 17:08
Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

Mine has lithium as an option under battery type. I'm also curious to see how the lithiums hold up to the cold. When we were out the other day, the alkalines I had dropped to 25% by the end of the day. It was cold enough to snow. Just turning the unit on now to check the battery type options I noticed it was saying 85% and that's with about a 35 degree difference.
 
Speaking of snow, in a more perfect world I'd be out hitting the elk hunting hard today instead of working.
 
In my experience, Lithium are more cold-resistant as well.  Like nay batteries though, it pays to warm up your device in your pocket or under your jacket before powering up.
-Matt
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