Garmin External Power Pack

[pkeenan]

Just wondering what peoples solution for charging their garmin (or any electric device, phone.. etc.) is whilst on tour?

I've found Garmin's 'External Power Pack', which would no doubt do the trick - though it's quite pricey, and I'm thinking there must be another method to do this somehow?

I'm running an Edge 500, which cannot turn on and function when in charge-mode. What would be ideal is some sort of device that can 'store up' the charge over a days ride, and then release it when it's attached to whatever it should charge... does such a thing exist? This would allow me to charge up the 'device' (through a hub, most likely) during the day, and then quickly charge the Garmin whilst eating my dinner. Or something to that effect...!

Any experiences (not necessarily garmin) and feedback would be gratefully appreciated, thanks!

 

[jay clock]

Veho Pebble? I have one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Veho-VCC-A0...MO/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1304434527&sr=8-12

not sure it helps you though.....

 

[ianrauk]

Cheers for that link Jayclock.
It probably would work with a Garmin . I can squeeze about 15 hours out of my Garmin 205.
If I was use this to top up the power at a lunch stop for example...hmmmmmmm

 

[pkeenan]

Veho Pebble? I have one of these http://www.amazon.co...4434527&sr=8-12

not sure it helps you though.....

Certainly is a possibility. Can't see why it might not work with a Garmin...
Thanks for the heads up! Looks good.

 

[ColinJ]

I can't answer your question because that very issue persuaded me to buy a Garmin Etrex instead so I could just swap the batteries if I needed to. (Since my NiMH AAs last about 26 hours and my longest ride to date has been 14 hours, I've never actually had to!)

 

[StuAff]

After my experience on the audax I did in January- my 705 started giving me low battery warnings about four hours from home, despite me using it as little as possible (fortunately it hung on!) - I decided I'd want some sort of external power supply, but didn't want to go down the Pebble/Powerchimp type route as it was going to be needed very infrequently, not good for the internal battery among other things. Eventually, got one of these little things, which run off a pair of regular AAs, including rechargeables. Only slight issue- where the USB port is on the 705, no way at the moment to have the cable in when its on the bike. Might bodge something for that. Managed to break the mini USB tip on a test run (had Garmin and battery in my pocket, so connector got bent), but fortunately I had a spare one. Used it on the Bognor FNRttC- or more accurately, the ride up- had the Garmin powered up and connected to the external, itself switched on, in my Carradice. Worked perfectly- the Garmin didn't go into computer connect mode, and the USB kit had no bother keeping it going. Used the Garmin on its mount as normal for the FNR and ride home, 50% power left.
Should work just as well with a 500....

 

[middleagecyclist]

I have just invested in a solution for this very problem.

A [url="http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/schmidt-son-28-dynamo-front-hub-silver-prod479/"]SON 28 dynohub[/url] powering a Pedalpower+ Super-i-Cable. This can charge a device on the go as well as the internal battery for charging something else later when stopped.

Have yet to use it in anger yet, only got the Super-i-Cable today, but will let you know how it goes in a week or so.

 

[ianrauk]

After my experience on the audax I did in January- my 705 started giving me low battery warnings about four hours from home, despite me using it as little as possible (fortunately it hung on!) - I decided I'd want some sort of external power supply, but didn't want to go down the Pebble/Powerchimp type route as it was going to be needed very infrequently, not good for the internal battery among other things. Eventually, got one of these little things, which run off a pair of regular AAs, including rechargeables. Only slight issue- where the USB port is on the 705, no way at the moment to have the cable in when its on the bike. Might bodge something for that. Managed to break the mini USB tip on a test run (had Garmin and battery in my pocket, so connector got bent), but fortunately I had a spare one. Used it on the Bognor FNRttC- or more accurately, the ride up- had the Garmin powered up and connected to the external, itself switched on, in my Carradice. Worked perfectly- the Garmin didn't go into computer connect mode, and the USB kit had no bother keeping it going. Used the Garmin on its mount as normal for the FNR and ride home, 50% power left.
Should work just as well with a 500....

Even better Stu.
That would be perfect for my 205.
A quick blast on that during a stop would give a nice top up.

 

[patch_ny]

Hi there. I'm very curious to hear about your experiences with the Super-i-Cable. I'm about to pick up my SONdelux wheelset this weekend, and am looking at the e-werk versus the Super-i-Cable. However, there isn't too much info on the latter... Thanks!

I have just invested in a solution for this very problem.

A SON 28 dynohub powering a Pedalpower+ Super-i-Cable. This can charge a device on the go as well as the internal battery for charging something else later when stopped.

Have yet to use it in anger yet, only got the Super-i-Cable today, but will let you know how it goes in a week or so.

 

[yello]

Whilst I would be very interested in the e-werks (it looks a little more of a professional product than the super-i-cable, imho) , I think both a too pricey for my purposes.

On my 305, I use either an Energiser ToGo moble phone charger (takes 2 AAs, got it from ebay), OR a similar US unit that takes 4 AAs... the name evades me at the moment. Both are cheap and cheerful and do the job.

Edit: the US one is a Gomadic

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I can't answer your question because that very issue persuaded me to buy a Garmin Etrex instead so I could just swap the batteries if I needed to. (Since my NiMH AAs last about 26 hours and my longest ride to date has been 14 hours, I've never actually had to!)

I can't seem to get more than 10-12 hours intermittent out of my NiMH's in a Vista HCx. What brand are you running?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Whilst I would be very interested in the e-werks (it looks a little more of a professional product than the super-i-cable, imho) , I think both a too pricey for my purposes.

On my 305, I use either an Energiser ToGo moble phone charger (takes 2 AAs, got it from ebay), OR a similar US unit that takes 4 AAs... the name evades me at the moment. Both are cheap and cheerful and do the job.

Edit: the US one is a Gomadic

DC Rainmaker, triathlete, gps guru and gadget nerd suggests similar here

 

[pshore]

I can't seem to get more than 10-12 hours intermittent out of my NiMH's in a Vista HCx. What brand are you running?

I've got a Dakota 20 that takes AA's. Last year when I toured I was getting about 16 hours (or two days riding) out of a pair of 2100 NiMH.

But through winter they would only go for 10 mins before giving up so I discovered Energiser Ultimate Lithium (disposable) as a solution. They seem to go on for ages so I am going to give them a go on tour this year.

The biggest eater of batteries seems to be the electronic compass, followed by the backlight. Turn those suckers off!

 

[ColinJ]

I can't seem to get more than 10-12 hours intermittent out of my NiMH's in a Vista HCx. What brand are you running?

They are some Vapex 2,700 mAH cells I bought from 7DayShop.com. Garmin claim about 100 mA consumption without the backlight so 24 hours or so is about right.


I have the original bottom of the range yellow Etrex. I never use the backlight.

 

[middleagecyclist]

Hi there. I'm very curious to hear about your experiences with the Super-i-Cable. I'm about to pick up my SONdelux wheelset this weekend, and am looking at the e-werk versus the Super-i-Cable. However, there isn't too much info on the latter... Thanks!

Have just posted a little review and pics of the PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable on my blog.

Hope it is useful.