Looigi

You get the most total hours of life out of Li-ion batteries when they are charged just before use and used to about 50% discharge. For example, charge your Garmin and use if for maybe 6 hrs of riding, then just before the next ride, charge it up. There's no need tot get too OCD about though. You can certainly charge it the night before a morning ride, or go below 50% if the ride and circumstances dictate.

The also pertains to lights, cell phones, etc...

rm -rf

Replacement batteries for Garmins

My 705 was purchased in Sept 2010. The battery was fine until late 2014, where I started seeing that it's battery level indicator was almost empty after about 4 hours. (It might actually last longer than that, the level is based on voltage, but I never timed it.)

My ride log reports that I recorded about 1200 hours on the original battery.

So I got a $25 replacement from newpower99.com and it's been working great, with long battery life again. It's easy to install, they supply a tiny screwdriver and a plastic pry tool, and a youtube install video.

bobwysiwyg

Why the suggestion to recharge "just before use?" My experience suggests Lithium Ion batteries hold their charge very well.

deapee

I have an Edge 200 and Garmin VivoSmart HR (The VivoSmart broadcasts ANT+ but the Edge 200 doesn't pick that up) -- but I could literally pull the plug on a 520 and a power meter in an instant, at any given time, it's always in my mind, ready to be done.

deapee

Lithium Ion batteries are actually better when operated between 80% and 20% of their capacity, and there is less stress on them in that range.

Contrary to popular belief, however, a 'charge cycle' is 100% of usage, as accumulated over time. So if you run from 100% to 80%, charge, then run 100% to 60%, charge, then run 100% to 60%, that's a charge cycle.

I think in the end the batteries these days, unless defective, really seem to be outlasting the technology they are put in. I can't remember how old my Edge 200 is (guessing 2 years, maybe a bit more)...and how long of periods it has sat dormant, and how long of periods it has accidentally remained on the charge for weeks lol -- and it's still fine.

Flinstone

Lithium ion batteries lose capacity over time. This is not so much about a single charge draining. It's about them not holding as much in 12 months as they did when you bought them. This loss of capacity happens much faster if the battery sits at full charge most of the time (completely empty can also be bad). However, this strategy isn't worth the money to me for most things. I want my stuff ready to use on a moments notice. I mean a flashight that you don't leave ready to use? To save a few bucks on batteries in a year or two? No thanks. And for a cell phone the idea seems meaningless. What you could do, if you have more charge than needed for a single use, is not charge things fully when you charge them. But most chargers can't do this.

flatlander_48

Lezyne Super GPS with Cateye speed/cadence and heart rate sensors...

Silvercivic27

Gold plated toilet seat:taking a dump as Omata cycling computer: going for a bike ride

nymtber

Garmin Edge 200.

No frills. Just works

Gege-Bubu

Need to notice that Garmin is not only the computer itself, but also Garmin Connect - where all of your rides are stored.
Polar has the same thing too, but I am not sure if Cateye, Sigma have the same thing

I was using Sigma wired, then wireless, but i had to copy all my rides into xls worksheet manually.
Then I got Garmin 500. Then I got powermeter. Not all computers have power. Garmin makes a lot of sense than. Especially used. I got my 500 for $100 used.

flatlander_48

Lezyne GPE Ally also, but it will connect with Strava and others...

dim

I'm getting the Garmin Edge 1000 .... still a few bugs, but they are fixing them.... I researched most of the latest GPS bike systems and this one appeals to me the most (some really nice features, and I dont mind paying a bit extra for these)

I also have this:

[h=1]RAVPower 26800mAh 3-Port 5.5A iSmart Output Portable Charger[/h]
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

works a dream with my I-phone on long rides. I have it in my jacket side pocket, connected to my Iphone and it keeps the iphone fully charged even after a full day riding suing Strava with internet and 3G switched on

this will allow me to charge the edge 1000 if I do very long rides

WorldIRC

I ended up with the Garmin Edge 520. The 25 was too small, and I'd rather have one device do all the work instead of two. Thanks again for the input.

WorldIRC

Are any of you 520 users using the K-Edge mounts? I'm trying to figure out if I should go for the regular, aero, or XL version. The 520's "front" buttons are now literally on the front of the unit instead of below the screen but on top of the device. Just want to make sure there is enough room to reach them when I'm on the go.

rm -rf

Heh. It seems like every previous model has had leftover bugs that were never fixed. But hopefully they are just annoyances or can be worked around.

topslop1

That's uh, neat, I guess? Some people like to spend more to go backwards. This is one of those opportunities.

dim

I often frequent the Garmin Edge 1000 forum. Seems like most guys are very happy