Garmin legend battery life

I have had a Garmin etrex legend for about 3 weeks. I see where
everyone says they get from10 to 20 hours of use from a fresh set of
batteries. I have tried new alkaline batteries and rechargable NIMHs
but none have lasted more than 2 or 3 hours. I have set the mode to
"battery saver" and have set the option for the correct type of
battery. I have even tried different battery type settings with no
difference. I don't use the display light. Is there something else I
should try?

A better battery charger? In all seriousness a battery is only as good as
its charger. Also are the rechargeable you are using the latest more
powerful ones, 2600 mAh Ni-Mh capacity.

Dave

--
"Statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is interesting. What they
conceal is vital. "

My three year old Etrex Legend (black/white display), runs about 7-8hrs on
one set of 2000mAh NiMH batteries.
I use the "battery save" mode also, and use the display light occasionally.
WAAS/Egnos is off.

YMMV, Folkert

I should have mentioned; The first thing I did was use this as an
excuse to get a new battery charger and batterie, the 2500mAh NiMHs. I
even ran them through 2 full cycles before using them the first time.
Also, WAAS is off. Also, I checked Garmin's website and was told the
software was current. I re-installed it anyway just in case.

I usually use the unit in the car or in my pocket outside while
walking down tree lined streets. Does the quality of reception affect
the power usage? Also, are there any functions other that WAAS or
normal mode that I might have accidently turned on?

johnz@charter.net wrote:

Yes, the Battery-Saver mode really only works under decent reception.
The receiver checks to see that the last position update was close to
the expected spot based on your previous movement and then turns off
the radio circuits for about 5 seconds. When it wakes back up and
reacquires it again checks for consistency before going back to
"sleep." If reception is poor then it won't go into this intermittent
sleep mode to save power but will instead stay in Normal mode of
operation.

But that can't account for a battery life of less than 4 hours.
Battery-Saver mode only gives you an extra 30% or so of life under the
best of circumstances. If you're getting less than 10 hours with good
alkalines or properly charged 2500 mA-hr NiMHs then it sounds like
something is wrong with your Legend.


The main one is the backlight, so make sure that's off and isn't coming
on due to any extraneous key-presses while the unit's in your pocket.
The beeper takes a bit of power but not enough to be significant.