Thread: GPSMAP66st

The Expedition Mode and the GPSMAP 66

I have been testing this Expedition Mode and what I have found is when you start off and in Expedition Mode all well and good.
Then when you get near a Geocache you push the power button and the 66 resumes activity.
Sometimes the map turns on more often you need to push the power button a second time to see the map.
Screen saver mode is now set for 1 min to look on the screen to see how close I am to a Geocache or any other info you need.
First the screen goes blank after the minute.
Then it can take up to 3 mins before the Expedition Mode kicks in.
If you just push on the power button Expedition Mode can be done right away.
Have switching from prompt Expedition Mode to auto and in 2 mins it goes back to sleep and the red light blinks.
But I find having to push the power button all the time can lead to the power button not working after sometime.
I think being able to hit anykey while getting close to a Geocache would be much better.
The 66s is on my backpack using the belt clip

Spoiler: The Garmin Belt Clip

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

so you hand are a way from any contact with the buttons on the GPSMAP 66.

See screen shots

Spoiler: The Belt Clip

Spoiler: The Gpsmap 66 on a backpack with the belt clip

Plus when the screen does go blank is should go into Expedition Mode with out having to wait.
For the time being I will not use Expedition Mode for 2 or 3 hour hikes and save it for the 8 hour plus hikes.
Leave the screen saver set for one minute gives me lots of time to check where I am each time.
In regards to the Expedition Mode you should be able to set it to any time to kick in or not at all.
Using the screensaver should automatically trigger the Expedition Mode to kick in with in seconds.
Remember this is a high end GPS Unit that in order to get the best battery time on the 66 you need to turn off (see below).

Maximizing Battery Life

Exit the Camera application when not taking photos (Only on the 66I) <-----A Selling point
Turn the Backlight off when not absolutely needed
Decrease Backlight Brightness
Reduce Backlight Timeout
Enable Battery Save Mode
Disable Wi-Fi <------------A Selling point
Disable Bluetooth <--------A selling point
Disable ANT+ Sensors <-----A Selling point
Disable the magnetic compass ???
Disable GLONASS <----------A Selling point
Disable GALILEO <----------A Selling point
Disable WAAS/EGNOS <-------A Selling point
Adjust Recording Controls to 'Auto' or 'Off'
Set Map Orientation to 'North Up', not 'Track Up' ???
When permissible, use the Compass or Trip Computer pages while navigating, not the Map page. ????
Enable Expedition Mode when permissible.

As you can see all the items that would make you buy the new GPSMAP 66 have to be turned off to save on the batteries.

Now one other thing I do not recommend getting the Garmin batteries so you can charge them while inside the GPSMAP 66.

It takes far to long to charge them. In some cases it can take up to 8 hours plus.
You are better off getting the BQ-CC55 charger including 4 eneloop pro AA 2500mAh NiMH batteries as an example.

See link from Panasonic about the batteries:

Spoiler: The Panasonic Unit

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

But it is up to the users as to what batteries they want to use in the GPSMAP 66.