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Head Units on Long Gravel Rides (10+ hours)

RashRash Member

I'm currently planning to do Gravel Worlds 150 in August. My Garmin 520 will never last long enough providing turn by turn - barely lasted the 75 last year. What do you gravel folks do for your long days in the saddle? Multiple units? Not use turn by turn? Even though I live here, there is little chance I would not get lost without the turn by turn as I have no sense of direction in general.

M_Ware

Comments

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    StruangStruang Member, POTM

    Two years ago I road the C2C in a day which is 153 miles and took us 12hrs. Fenix 5 lasted the day. Edge1000 didn't.

    For this years expedition Wales in a day (185miles, God knows how many hrs) I've bought a Anker powerbar, my plan is to pop the edge on to charge whenever we stop at the feed stations etc

    M_Ware
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    KHilgendorfKHilgendorf Member, Rooster Endurance Member, POTM

    External battery pack with the head unit plugged in and charging. Might not be a great solution in the rain, but you can probably find a way to waterproof it enough.

    Rash
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    Tad_MTad_M Member, Rooster Endurance Member, Level 2 Supporter, POTM

    Second what @KHilgendorf said. My top tube bag has a fairly good pass through grommet to keep the battery dry and you can get a dry bag with a pass through hole for the head unit. Just cut a hole in the bottom for the attachment cause you aren't really concerned with a bit of moisture up from the bottom. Just want a really clear see-through layer over the top and water protection for the cord entry.
    If you don't want a bag distracting you, you can also plug in the charge cord and silicone around it. Use it for the race that way and don't pull the cord out during the race. Once you're done, the silicone will pull away cleanly as long as you use 100% silicone sealant.

    M_WareRash
    visit Michigan July 19th to 24th 2023 - The Sworry Trials Impossibleman and Ode to Laz
    https://www.facebook.com/sworrytrials/
    https://www.facebook.com/OdetoLaz/
  • Options

    External battery pack. Route downloaded on ridewithgps on phone as second backup. Dynamo hub for events >24 hours.

    M_WareAaron WebsteyRash
    Resident Genius.
  • Options
    Tad_MTad_M Member, Rooster Endurance Member, Level 2 Supporter, POTM

    @A_drizzle said:
    External battery pack. Route downloaded on ridewithgps on phone as second backup. Dynamo hub for events >24 hours.

    @A_drizzle , Hey Doc, aren't the new tech battery packs light enough to give 48+ hours without having the drag and weight of a dynamo? Or are you talking the ridiculous week long stuff? and just curious, do you use a trailer for all your food - LOL. Safe riding!

    M_WareAaron Webstey
    visit Michigan July 19th to 24th 2023 - The Sworry Trials Impossibleman and Ode to Laz
    https://www.facebook.com/sworrytrials/
    https://www.facebook.com/OdetoLaz/
  • Options

    @Tad_M Yes, but Dynamo is also more reliable, definitely easier >48 hours unless you're hotel-ing and going to be able to charge things on a daily basis, and can run a light and charge GPS with pass-through at the same time.

    Tad_MM_Ware
    Resident Genius.
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    Tad_MTad_M Member, Rooster Endurance Member, Level 2 Supporter, POTM

    @A_drizzle said:
    @Tad_M Yes, but Dynamo is also more reliable, definitely easier >48 hours unless you're hotel-ing and going to be able to charge things on a daily basis, and can run a light and charge GPS with pass-through at the same time.

    Thanks @A_drizzle , I forgot about the issue of light + GPS with higher total stored energy requirement, that makes total sense with that in mind. @P_Cottrell , looks like dynamos are on our short list for gravel gadgetry.

    M_Ware
    visit Michigan July 19th to 24th 2023 - The Sworry Trials Impossibleman and Ode to Laz
    https://www.facebook.com/sworrytrials/
    https://www.facebook.com/OdetoLaz/
  • Options
    mbrekk44mbrekk44 Member, POTM

    I have done 15 hours of navigation on my garmin 830 with like 20% battery remaining. One thing I’ve learned to conserve the battery is to not have your phone connected for notifications. Also setting the GPS setting to GPS and not GLONASS.

    Aaron WebsteyTad_MRash

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