Power Sources

 

Stay Powered

The Garmin Oregon 6x0 continues to set the standard when it comes to integrated handheld GPSr power source versatility. Like the Montana, the Oregon 6x0 offers two integral battery options to keep your device powered during remote adventures:

Charging the Battery



Typical Garmin Oregon 6x0 NiMH battery charge sequence. (click for full size image)


Maximizing Battery Life

The Oregon 6x0 can provide up to 40 hours of power from a single pair of AA batteries. Alkaline batteries loose a significant amount of their capacity as temperature decreases. Use only lithium batteries when operating the Oregon 6x0 in sub-zero temperatures. If not planning to use the Oregon 6x0 for an extended period of time, store the device with the batteries removed. Several options are available to extend battery life:



Hot Swap

On occasion, you may encounter situations where your Oregon 6x0 battery reserve is running low and you need to replace the batteries without rebooting the GPSr. For example, when [Setup > Altimeter > Pressure Trending > Save Always] is selected, the device displays "WARNING: Do not remove the batteries while this feature is active."

In these circumstances, a Hot Swap can be accomplished using any device with a powered USB port. On grid, this may be a home or laptop computer, the AC adapter that came with your Garmin Oregon 6x0, or similar devices. Off grid, a portable computer or auxiliary power source designed to power/recharge USB enabled mobile devices should be sufficient (Our favorite off grid solutions).

Performing the Hot Swap is a quick and easy process:



Battery Display


Powered On


Battery Charge Status Small Animated.gif

Battery Chg Small Animated v2.gif





=====

=====

=====

Battery Charge Status Large Animated.gif

Battery Chg Large Animated v2.gif




Remaining
Battery Capacity

Charging
Process Active

Battery
Fully Charged

External
Power Source

Standby Mode


SCRN USB Chg Animated v2.gif
 

Charging Process Active
  Battery Fully Charged




Power Options


Garmin NiMH




  • 2000mAh Rechargeable NiMH LSD (Low Self Discharge) battery pack
  • Included with the Oregon 650/650t
  • Optional with the Oregon 600/600t
  • Can provide up to 21 hours of use per charge
  • Order Garmin Part Number 010-11874-00
  • Oregon 6x0 will auto-configure System Battery Type

=/=
=================================================================
Rechargeable NiMH







Alkaline







Lithium




  • Provides the longest single use runtime
  • Best solution for use in extreme temperatures
  • Multiple manufacturers and capacities available
  • For best results, choose 2000mAh or higher capacity
  • Can provide up to 40 hours of use
  • Configure Setup > System > Battery Type for
    • Lithium



External AC




  • AC USB Charger with International Adapter Set
  • Included with the Oregon 650/650t
  • Order Garmin Part Number 362-00072-00



External DC




  • DC Vehicle Power Cable
  • Power your Garmin Oregon 6x0 from any 12v power outlet
  • Includes 1.5 amp replaceable fuse
  • Order Garmin Part Number 010-10851-11





Power Consumption


Energy Consumption

Function
====================
======
==========================================/=========================
~275mA

Power On Boot Sequence



~105mA

Main Menu page active
Dashboard disabled
Backlight Off
GPS position lock
GLONASS disabled [Setup > System > Satellite System > GPS]
WAAS/EGNOS disabled [Setup > System > WAAS/EGNOS > Off]
ANT+ disabled [Setup > ANT Sensor > Off]
Compass enabled [Setup > Heading > Compass > Auto]



~ 75mA

Battery Save active [Setup > Display > Battery Save > On]



~ 10mA

Powered Off with [Setup > Altimeter > Pressure Trending > Save Always]



+ 15mA

GLONASS enabled [Setup > System > Satellite System > GPS+GLONASS]



+ 00mA

WAAS/EGNOS enabled [Setup > System > WAAS/EGNOS > On]



+ 30mA

ANT+ enabled [Setup > ANT Sensor > On]



~
+ 15mA
+ 30mA
+ 50mA
+120mA

Backlight enabled
25%
50%
75%
100%



~
+ 30mA
+140mA

Map application active
Map idle with [Setup > Map > Map Speed > Normal]
Map redraw or [Setup > Map > Map Speed > Fast]



+ 70mA

Compass application active



+ 20mA

Trip Computer application active



+100mA

Satellite application active



+385mA
+435mA

Camera application active
During camera focus



~
+ 35mA
+ 45mA
+ 60mA
+ 80mA

Flashlight application active
25%
50%
75%
100%



~
+ 75mA
+ 75mA
+ 75mA
+ 65mA
+ 35mA
+ 35mA
+ 25mA
+ 25mA
+ 20mA
+ 15mA
+ 15mA
+ 10mA
+ 10mA
+ 10mA

Dashboard active
nüvi
Satellites
Geocaching
Stopwatch
Compass
Favorites
Status
Track Control
Small Data Fields
Automotive
Recreational
Large Data Field
Fitness
Altimeter



Battery Test


First, a word about battery consumption testing. Outside of a precisely controlled laboratory environment, no battery test result can be absolute. In real world scenarios (where we like to use our GPSr) many variables can and will affect battery consumption rates, and therefore two seemingly identical units with identical settings and identical batteries may not exhibit identical performance.

For the purpose of these tests, an Oregon 650 was adjusted for minimal operational status (Our test simulated using the GPSr primarily for tracking purposes) in an attempt to record best case scenario results. Combining this information with the power consumption chart above, one can approximate the useful lifespan for a chosen power source.

During each battery test, the following conditions were observed:

At the beginning of each test, brand new or freshly charged batteries are installed, the current track log is reset, and a new track log recording is initiated at a rate of one track point per minute. During each test period, the Oregon 650 is checked periodically for activity. When it is discovered the GPSr has stopped functioning, the batteries are removed, the Current.gpx track log file is imported into BaseCamp, and the total run time is recorded.



Oregon 6x0 Battery Test Results: