Power Sources

 

Maximizing Battery Life

The eTrex SE can provide up to 168 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 eTrex SE in sub-zero temperatures. If not planning to use the eTrex SE for an extended period of time, store the device with the batteries removed. Several options are available to extend battery life:

• Decrease Backlight Brightness
• Reduce Backlight Timeout
• Disable the Magnetic Compass
• Disable Multi-GNSS (use 'GPS Only')
• Configure Recording Method to 'Smart'
• Set Map Orientation to 'North Up' (do not use 'Track Up')
• When permissible, use the Compass or Trip Computer pages while navigating, not the Map page

Hot Swap

You may encounter a situation where your eTrex SE battery reserve is running low and you need to replace the batteries without rebooting the GPSr. 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, an AC to USB adapter, or similar devices. Off grid, a portable computer or auxiliary power source should be sufficient (Our favorite off grid solutions). If connecting to a device capable of communicating with the eTrex SE, a non-data power only USB cable may be required to prevent the eTrex SE from entering MTP Mode.

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
• Replace the battery cover
• Check GPSr for proper function

Battery Display

• The eTrex SE battery icon provides information about the current battery charge level.
• 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).
• The eTrex SE battery icon reports current battery charge level in the Status Bar, Small Data Field, and Large Data Field.

		Battery Charge 75 - 100%
		Battery Charge 50 - 75%
		Battery Charge 25 - 50%
		Battery Charge < 25%
		Battery Charge Critical

Power Options

• Multiple options are available to help keep your eTrex SE running for as long as you are:

Rechargeable NiMH
		Most environmentally responsible solution Multiple manufacturers and capacities available Amazon Basics or Panasonic eneloop pro are recommended For best results, choose LSD or Pre-Charged batteries Configure Settings > 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 Configure Settings > 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 Configure Settings > System > Battery Type for Lithium
External AC
		AC USB-C Charger with cable Power your Garmin eTrex SE from any AC power outlet Preserves remaining battery capacity
External DC
		DC USB-C Vehicle Power Cable Power your Garmin eTrex SE from any 12v power outlet Preserves remaining battery capacity

 

Power Consumption

• Calculate your eTrex SE 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 eTrex SE measured energy consumption figures will be posted here in the future.

 

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, a eTrex SE 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: 75ºF
• GPS lock active
• Mulit-GNSS disabled
• Backlight disabled
• Compass disabled
• Track Log Recording set to 'Every Second'

At the beginning of each test, brand new or freshly charged batteries are installed, the current recording is reset, and a new recording is initiated at a rate of one track point per second. During each test period, the eTrex SE is checked periodically for activity. When it is discovered the GPSr has stopped functioning, the batteries are removed, the current activity FIT file is archived and the total run time is recorded.

eTrex SE Battery Test Results:

• eTrex SE battery tests will be published here when available.