ewhack Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 A garmin rep told me lithium batteries, fresh out of the pack, can have an initial electical spike that can fry the eTrex models. He said they specifically recommend against using lithium batteries. Just what I was told, YMMV. Just a word of caution. When where you told this? The eTrex Vista HCx has a setup option to designate lithium or alkaline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trad_guy Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 (edited) Hello giza- Good confirmation on Lithium dangers. I hope previous posters read this information. --trad_guy Hello Bergsteiger- I think you mean the Vista HCx. However, REI has this model (25 hours) at $300 while the Venture HC (14 hours) is just $170, or $130 more. You can justify this for the 25 hours and the weather watch barometer in your wonderful backcountry. I think a member of your Club translated my suggested Four Basic Responsibilities and Ten Essentials (now Ten Essential Systems) a while ago? http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/Basic_Spanish.htm --trad_guy Berg Heil! Edited January 30, 2008 by trad_guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trad_guy Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 A garmin rep told me lithium batteries, fresh out of the pack, can have an initial electical spike that can fry the eTrex models. He said they specifically recommend against using lithium batteries. Just what I was told, YMMV. Just a word of caution. When where you told this? The eTrex Vista HCx has a setup option to designate lithium or alkaline. Hello EW- Ohmgosh! It is right there in the manual . . . An exception to everything! But I still don't understand the Lithium advantage. --trad_guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbw1966 Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 A garmin rep told me lithium batteries, fresh out of the pack, can have an initial electical spike that can fry the eTrex models. He said they specifically recommend against using lithium batteries. Just what I was told, YMMV. Just a word of caution. When where you told this? The eTrex Vista HCx has a setup option to designate lithium or alkaline. I was told this when I contacted Garmin after my 2nd eTrex Vista (NOT the HCx but the older b&w version) went tits up. He asked if I used lithium batteries and I told him no then asked why. I learned that the reason my Vista's kept crapping out was because I used them on a dual-sport motorcycle and they couldn't handle the vibrations. No problems witht he 60CSX though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Well, it looks like the Colorados wont be ready for prime time for a while, and a couple of these reviews make it sound horrible. REI has an exclusive on the 400t (for topo) until 2-11-08. Reviews from here: (click link for them all, I edited some of the fluff out, check out the "name" of the first poster) Link to REI reviews of Garmin 400t Colorado series GPS Delorme anyone? Needs a lot of work By Lloyd Anderson Site Member from seattle, wa on 1/27/2008 Pros: Strong Construction Cons: Bulky, Inaccurate, Short Battery Life Best Uses: Adventure, Auto, Hiking, Travel Describe Yourself: Gearhead, Outdoor Enthusiast, Technically Savvy Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend Base map of streets wildly inacurate. Short run time and backlight trouble when running on NiMH batteries. Topo software not included for computer. No turn by turn directions or tide tables as stated in specs. Lock ups & power offs. Poor value. Graphically pleasing, yet awkward menu system. Has potential, but needs a lot of work. ___________________________________________________________ What are we, Garmin's Beta Testers? By bkmollen from Ohio on 1/26/2008 Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend This unit has a lot of issues [...]not to mention that it dumped all the Topo maps for its memory and they cannot be replaced. Call Garmin Tech Support and they confirmed the maps were gone and the unit was defective. Was this review helpful to you? Yes/No- You may also flag this review. ________________________________________________ Comments: What about planning? By OregoneSite Member from Portland OR on 1/25/2008 Pros: Nice user interface, Simple Controls Cons: Spendy Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend The rolling interface is very nice indeed but overall the value didn't justify the price. The preloaded TOPO sounds good but will leave you wondering how to plan a route. You'll still have to purchase some form of TOPO mapping software if you want to plan a wilderness route and transfer it to the device. For me and my money it was a better deal to go with the 60CSx, and the TOPO and save $. ___________________________________________________________ Comments: Cache Companion - Cool, Clean By Dog TooSite Member from Tucson AZ on 1/18/2008 Pros: Compact, Easy To Read, Easy To Set Up, Long Battery Life, Reliable Performance, Simple Controls, Strong Construction Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Wow...clean, clear device...acquires signal quickly even without a open sky. Easy to use and looks as get as it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 The top 4 Delorme PN-20 Garmin Colorado 400T Bushnell Magellan Triton series Of these, only Delorme seems to have worked out the bugs. Furthermore, only the Magellan with the National Geographic maps comes close to the Delorme for map quality. The Bushnell looks amazingly fantastic and like it would be the #1 choice for climbers as it has real time weather forecasting....just imagine being able to see that huge thunderstorm 2 ridges over heading your way! That is, if they can work the bugs out. I'm 90% decided on a Delorme, and 9% Garmin 60Csx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trad_guy Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 ENELON rechargeable lithium batteries, which are light and function well in cold. this is why i mention lithium batteries above Hello porter- Here is the latest I have on Lithium batteries: http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/FAQ_LithiumBatteries.htm Thanks for the information! --trad_guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtree Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Whatever works for you Bill. Note that I recently found a Garmin e-Trex on a back country ski trip. Seems to work very well and is much more compact that my 60 Csx. Food for thought for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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