Godwin

...until I found out the battery only lasts 12 hours. That's usually not enough time for even a double. Is this common with higher end computers? I really liked that it has just about every feature imaginable and you can upload to your computer. Do Polar computers have a similar battery life, is there any other unit that is similar but will last much longer, or should I stick with my Cateye Micro Wireless and spend the money elsewhere (on my bike).

Skipper

If battery life is the only thing holding you back, you should check into the "AA" powered battery extenders/chargers. I'm sorry I can't provide any links. Check the electronics forum.

ekimeno

The new 705 has a 15-hr battery life BTW.

Psimet2001 

+1 for the quoted spec on the 705. Also the 305 can be powered past it'snormal life by using in-flight refueling. "Minty Boost".

https://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/

I wired one up for aham23. It works well and provides quite a bit of extra battery life when needed. Couple with some rechargables AA's and you are only limited by how many you can carry.

Let's face it, a GPS system wwhich is also reading in HRM and speed and cadence data along with datalogging...will use up battery.

OneArmedScissor

how long do you think the 305 will last with the minty boost? enough for an ms150?

JayC

I rode the MS ride this year without a Mintyboost so unless you ride REALLY slow, you should be able to complete the first day century with ease. Then you can recharge it overnight. If thats not an option, Ive found the Minty will recharge back to about a little over a 1/2 charge on 2 AAs.

cccorlew

Can you just plug in the minty boost on the fly and keep going?

JayC

Yes

Treefox

I've got a Battpak from ICP Solar that can hold 10 AA's and charge well nigh anything DC. I've got a cigarette lighter to USB adaptor from a PDA travel charger kit that works well with my iPod. It'll also charge itself off well nigh any DC source as well.

Except I'm not sure they make it anymore.

Godwin

Really this is probably more suited for the LD forum but there's more collective knowledge here about things like this. I do a lot of shorter rides around 100 miles or so during the good weather months but I live for the long all/multi day rides, doubles, triples, brevets and randonees. I'll look into the minty boost.

I don't really need the GPS, is there a good wireless computer with altitude and cadence (and maybe HR) functions that's PC connectable? (not that I really need those things)

wfrogge

Turn off the GPS and it lasts a lot longer.

Psimet2001 

We rode the RAIN ride (160 miles) and he did not need to use the Minty Boost, but he had it just in case.

aham23

actual battery life on a 305 is around 10 hours from what i have seen others post. the minty will power the edge well beyone that.

for the HHH i plugged the edge into the minty from the start as i figured i would need it and didnt want to mess around with while riding. ten hours later it was still drawing from the minty. at then end of the ride i unplugged the two and the edge had a full charge showing.

i rode RAIN fast so i wouldnt have to use it!

later.

umd

My 305 has lasted through doubles with a little extra boost. I made a little 9volt booster with a voltage regular from instructions I found on the internet. Actual life otherwise is closer to 10 hours.

https://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2362016
https://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3101400
https://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4265865