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Expedition mode

GeoRun
over 4 years ago

Expedition mode is very useful for me - very often I don't need super precision on a long track. But to exit this mode, one needs to use a mechanically non-robust power button. As an option, I would rather slide my finger(s) across the screen or something like that. The GPS could then be used and, for example, according to Montana 700 spec, after 2 minutes of inactivity, the device could drop into hibernation again.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Yes, but then the touchscreen would have to remain always active, and that would considerably reduce expedition mode effectiveness.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

    Hello atlas_cached, yes, it's correct. The question is how much the effectiveness we are ready to refuse from. The touch screen usage is considered as an option. Once in expedition mode, the green LED is lighting periodically. It means the timer (or similar mechanism) is working (clocked) as well as IO port is routed to that LED, and the MCU / CPU is in sleep or deep sleep mode, not hibernation. Once in hibernation mode, the battery could be used for years, not weeks (external wake up electronics is used, timer with nA-range consumption). The tech question is could the touch screen / touch screen controller be put into some kind of retention mode with lower touch screen refresh rate? Since the concrete hardware -- Montana 700 model is discussed, the possible SW update can only be considered for this model. There could be considered much better units / solutions for the same price otherwise.

    Unfortunately, the mechanical power button problem is well known. It should have a better construction, or another solution has to be found. The KISS principle has to be used. Thanks for comment.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to GeoRun

    Huh.

    My Montana 7x0 already has more than 35K cycles on the power button with no signs of wear or pending malfunction....

    The math here suggest that if you were to cycle the power button of your Montana 7x0 ten times every single day without interruption, it would still be functioning properly nearly ten years later.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

    Agreed, I didn't mean the power button itself. It's my fault, sorry for that.

    Example of Montana 650. Garmin refuses to repair such a damage once device is more than 5 years old. The device itself is fully functional.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to GeoRun

    I understood your concern.

    How many cycles do you think your Montana 650 power button had on it when that happened?

    My Montana 7x0 has >35K cycles on it with no indications the same result is imminent.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

    Since I didn't think I would get into such a situation, it's hard to say. (sure, it could roughly be calculated) This device has been used in the mountains, sometimes twice a week, and on long trails of over four thousand kilometers (in general, for mountain biking it is not much), for a total of eight years. In the end, to avoid 'button' (body) breakage, I even refused from battery save option, using a dim touchscreen.

    The Montana 7x0 and 6x0 series have different body materials, as well as the distance between the body and the dampered (internally) power button itself. Hopefully, this will extend the device life.

    Thanks for the info, it will be taken into account.

  • +1 over 3 years ago in reply to GeoRun

    I have to ask the question - after 8 years and that much use, surely you don't expect this to last forever? Even under Australian consumer law, which is some of the strictest in the world, this would not be covered. Its not fair to expect a manufacturer to warrant a product which is used under hash conditions forever. Perhaps I am looking at this differently because I am technically minded, but surely this is a very simple repair. Quick google search confirms that this is in-fact a very easy repair www.ebay.com.au/.../254214982414

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to NursemanC

    Hi, and thanks for advice! I also checked many of them, also elegant. As for me, the question of button construction, as very important control element, is technically principal. BTW, between the 'electrical' PCB button and the body's 'rubber' button, there has to be a damper rubber cap element, not shown there.

    At the moment, I am enjoying Montana 700 device, and its Expedition mode. Let's see.