Power Sources

 

Stay Powered

The Garmin Oregon 7x0 continues to set the standard when it comes to integrated handheld GPSr power source versatility. Like the Oregon 6x0, the Oregon 7x0 offers two integral battery options to keep your device powered during remote adventures:

• While you're taking time to rest, the Garmin NiMH battery pack can be recharged by an external power supply without removing it from the device.
• For those trips where you’re off the grid, the Oregon 7x0 can be powered by a pair of AA batteries, providing additional run time without being weighed down.

Charging the Battery

• The Oregon 7x0 will continuously charge the installed Garmin NiMH battery pack while an external power source is connected.
• The battery and cover may reach external temperatures > 95⁰F (35⁰C), with internal temperatures > 120⁰F (50⁰C) during the charging process.

• Completely charging a fully depleted battery pack may require 10+ hours.

Typical Garmin Oregon 7x0 NiMH battery charge sequence. (click for full size image)

Maximizing Battery Life

The Oregon 7x0 can provide up to 31 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 7x0 in sub-zero temperatures. If not planning to use the Oregon 7x0 for an extended period of time, store the device with the batteries removed. Several options are available to extend battery life:

• Exit the Camera application when not taking photos
• Turn the Backlight off when not absolutely needed
• Set Touch Sensitivity to Normal
• Decrease Backlight Brightness
• Reduce Backlight Timeout
• Enable Battery Save Mode
• Disable Wi-Fi
• Disable Bluetooth
• Disable ANT+ Sensors
• Set Map Speed to Normal
• Disable the magnetic compass
• Disable GLONASS
• Disable WAAS/EGNOS
• Configure Altimeter - Pressure Trending for 'Save When Power On'
• Adjust Tracklog to 'Auto' or 'Off'
• Set Map Orientation to 'North Up', not 'Track Up'
• When permissible, use the Compass or Trip Computer while navigating, not the Map

Hot Swap

On occasion, you may encounter situations where your Oregon 7x0 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 7x0, 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:

• Remove the battery cover
• Connect external USB power source
• Allow the GPSr several seconds to register the external power source
• Carefully remove and replace the GPSr batteries
• Ensure replacement batteries are properly seated and oriented
• Remove external USB power source
• Select [Stay On] when prompted
• Replace the battery cover
• Check GPSr for proper function

Battery Display

• The Oregon 7x0 battery icon provides information about the battery charge level, charging status, and current power source.
• Remaining battery capacity is updated dynamically based on current battery load conditions. A reduction of indicated battery capacity may be observed while using high current draw features (see Power Consumption).

Powered On

• The Oregon 7x0 battery icon reports current power information in the Status Page, Status Dashboard, Status Widget, Status Menu, Application Drawer (Activity Mode), Small Data Field, and Large Data Field:

Standby Mode

• The Oregon 7x0 can not charge the battery pack while powered off, but can be put into a 'standby mode' by pressing and holding the power button.
• Connected to an external USB power source and placed into 'standby mode', the Oregon 7x0 will charge a NiMH battery pack to full capacity:

Power Options

• Multiple options are available to help keep your Oregon 7x0 running for as long as you are:

Garmin NiMH
		Rechargeable NiMH LSD (Low Self Discharge) battery pack 2000mAh capacity Included with the Oregon 750t/750t Optional with the Oregon 700 Can provide up to 15 hours of use per charge Order Garmin Part Number 010-11874-00 Oregon 7x0 will auto-configure System Battery Type
	=/=	=================================================================
Rechargeable NiMH
		Most environmentally responsible solution Multiple manufacturers and capacities available Can provide >25% additional runtime compared to Garmin battery pack Amazon Basics or Panasonic eneloop pro are recommended For best results, choose LSD or Pre-Charged batteries Can provide up to 21 hours of use per charge Configure Setup > System > Battery Type for Precharged NiMH (for precharged LSD batteries) NiMH (for non precharged batteries)
Alkaline
		Most economical single use option Multiple manufacturers and capacities available Capacity is inversely proportional to the load applied For best results, reduce GPSr current consumption Can provide up to 20 hours of use Configure Setup > System > Battery Type for 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 31 hours of use Configure Setup > System > Battery Type for Lithium
External AC
		AC USB Charger with International Adapter Set Included with the Oregon 750t/750t Order Garmin Part Number 362-00072-00
External DC
		DC Vehicle Power Cable Power your Garmin Oregon 7x0 from any 12v power outlet Includes 1.5 amp replaceable fuse Order Garmin Part Number 010-10851-11

Power Consumption

• Calculate your Oregon 7x0 battery consumption by selecting one value from each applicable category and adding them together.
• Estimated total run time (in hours) = (Battery Capacity mAh / Calculated Consumption mA).
• Garmin Oregon 7x0 measured energy consumption figures:

 

Energy Consumption		Function
~300 mA		Power On Boot Sequence
~100 mA		Main Menu page active Dashboard disabled Backlight Off GPS position lock Current Activity Recording disabled Compass disabled [Setup > Heading > Compass > Off] GLONASS disabled [Setup > System > Satellite System > GPS] WAAS/EGNOS disabled [Setup > System > WAAS/EGNOS > Off] chirp searching disabled [Setup > Geocaching > chirp Searching> Off] ANT+ disabled [Setup > ANT Sensor > Off] Bluetooth disabled [Setup > Bluetooth > Off] Wi-Fi disabled [Setup > Wi-Fi > Off]
~80 mA		Battery Save active [Setup > Display > Battery Save > On]
<10 mA		Powered Off with [Setup > Altimeter > Pressure Trending > Save Always]
<10 mA		Compass enabled [Setup > Heading > Compass > Auto]
<10 mA		GLONASS enabled [Setup > System > Satellite System > GPS+GLONASS]
<10 mA		WAAS/EGNOS enabled [Setup > System > WAAS/EGNOS > On]
<10 mA		Current Activity Recording enabled
~10 mA <10 mA ~10 mA ~50 mA		chirp searching enabled [Setup > Geocaching > chirp Searching> On] ANT+ enabled [Setup > ANT Sensor > On] Bluetooth enabled [Setup > Bluetooth > On] Wi-Fi enabled [Setup > Wi-Fi > On]
~ ~10 mA ~20 mA ~30 mA ~90 mA		Backlight enabled: 25% 50% 75% 100%
~ ~50 mA ~60 mA		Map application active: Map redraw with [Setup > Map > Map Speed > Normal] Map redraw with [Setup > Map > Map Speed > Fast]
~10 mA		Compass application active
<10 mA		Trip Computer application active
~40 mA		Satellite application active
~180 mA ~210 mA		Camera application active During camera focus
~ <10 mA <20 mA <30 mA <30 mA		Flashlight application active: 25% 50% 80% 100%
~ <10 mA ~10 mA ~10 mA ~20 mA <10 mA ~10 mA <10 mA ~20 mA ~10 mA ~20 mA ~60 mA <10 mA ~60 mA		Dashboard active: Altimeter Automotive Bike Compass Data Field - Large Data Field - Small Favorites Geocaching Recreational Satellite (Locations) Satellite (Signal Strength) Status Stopwatch

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 750t 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:

• Ambient Temperature: 80ºF
• GPS lock active
• GLONASS disabled
• WAAS/EGNOS disabled
• Backlight disabled
• ANT+ disabled
• Blueooth disabled
• Wi-Fi disabled
• Display turned off
• Compass disabled
• Track Log Recording enabled

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 750t 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 7x0 Battery Test Results: