Garmin edge 800 question
 

I have a Garmin Edge 800 and purchased a Oyama external battery pack that runs off of 2 AA batteries. My problem is that when I plug in the battery pack it charges the Garmin but will not let me use it. Is this characteristic of the Garmin 800 or did I get the wrong battery pack. I saw the following link http://www.gomadic.com/garmin-edge-8...-extender.html has anyone tries this battery pack?

What timing. I bought the Gomadic and just received it a couple of days ago and I am going to pick up the 800 this week. I received this email from Garmin a while back:

I would be happy to assist you with this.
We have created a power pack specifically for long or extended rides.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=86599
You will be able to stay charged while using the power pack.
Please let me know if you have any questions.

I can't believe you need that specific charger....will let you know when I get my 800!

Thank you, I'll look forward to reading your reply. I looked at the battery pack on the Garmin website but would prefer to have one that works off of AA batteries, so when I'm on an extended ride I can just purchase more batteries.

I have the gomadic battery pack (which, by the way, does not look anything like the picture on the gomadic web site), and it works with my Edge 800. Make sure that you update the firmware on the Garmin unit to version 2.1, some of the issues related to the unit not being usable while charging have been fixed.

I updated the firmware and that took care of it, Thank you.

@Marcello: does the 800 have enough memory to capture the longer Brevets like 600km & beyond?? I ask this specifically cause I have a Edge 305 & it captures data upto 400km brevets but the 600km brevet it just captured the distance, time & avg speed, I guess the space in the 305 isn't enough to capture all the data. Does the 800 capture the longer brevets?

I just received this and when looking at the items on the Firmware2.1 that are to be correceted there is mention of working while being powered. Likley buying mine today or tomorrow!

You may need to download a software update to your Edge 800. Here is how to do this:


Connect your Edge 800 to the computer
Run Webupdater...if you do not have this on your computer here is a link to download the program: http://www8.garmin.com/support/colle...t=999-99999-27
When download is complete disconnect Edge 800 from the Computer
Power on the 800 to allow the software time to finish installing into the Edge.
Please reply for further assistance.

Update: My gomadic does not seem to work. When I attach it to the 800 nothing happens. I have the recent update via webupdater and the unit charges off the computer and A/C. I am going to take the charger into a Radioshack to see if there is power coming out of the tip but otherwise I am at a loss as to what to do next.

I am sure you did, but I have to ask. Did you turn the Gomadic charger on? There is a small switch next to the cable, and if it is on the ON position (and batteries are in the unit), you should see a green LED turn on where it says Power on the top of the unit.

Yup. I also tried a variety of batteries etc. I am hoping the wire is bad...will let you know. Not super urgent as my next 24 hour will no be for a few months but I like getting these things settled early.

Ok. So embarrassing post here. I realized just now I didn't have the "tip" adaptor fully pushed into the wire (if this makes any sense!). Problem solved and very much appreciate everyone's input.

I think the reason that the Garmin Edge 800 is not charging is on purpose.
You should plug in the external power, when the Garmin Edge 800 is fully charged. Then the device pulls the power from the external power supply till this is discharged.
Then it uses its own internal power.

I might be wrong, but thats what I've read. If somebody has the extra knowledge, how to proceed with an external power supply at the Edge 800 I'm very interested in knowing! Thank you!