Garmin astro 320

[cdhoundsman]

How are your Astro 320s working? Do you like them better than the 220s?

[timothy]

I like it a lot better. It's faster the maps are better. Mire user friendly.

[chsnlions]

I really like mine, although it seems to go through batteries like a kid with candy. Anyone else finding this?

[J.R.]

I also love mine had no problems with it other then it does like its battries big time compared to the 220

[timothy]

Ya batteries go fast. At half power the backlight turns off and you constantly get that annoying message.

[Tee Hover]

The 320’s will eat regular alkaline batteries fast, but if you switch to NIMH rechargeable battery you will get a lot more life from your batteries. I use Rayovac platinum AA NIMH batteries and can get a full day of use from a set. You need to change the “battery type on your 320 when using different kinds of batteries.

To change:
1. Turn unit on.
2. Go to main page
3. Setup, enter
4. System, enter
5. Scroll down to “Battery type”, enter
6. Choose, Alkaline, Lithium, or Rechargeable NiMH

If you run the rechargeable batteries make sure you select “Rechargeable NiMH.”
You can shop around and get a charger and a couple sets fairly inexpensive. If you hunt much they pay for themselves pretty quick.

Good luck,

[ozhound]

Im running NIMH in my 220's are you telling me that somehow the 320 will actually last longer than a 220 with the same batteries? I go through a set of batteries most days hunting with my 220 so everyone saying 320's eat em up has kept me from buying one.

[Tee Hover]

ozhound,

It all depends on what you type of battery you have. Every battery has two ratings which are volts and amp-hours (AH). The Ah rating may also be given as milliamp-hours (mAh), which are one-thousandth of an amp-hour. The higher a battery's amp hour rating is, the longer the battery's run-time will be. I run both of these types and have great results with them.


http://www.batteriesplus.com/product/36 ... werEx.aspx


http://www.batteriesplus.com/product/43 ... yovac.aspx

cdhoundsman,

I have had all three systems, Astro 220 w/ DC20 and DC30 as well as the 320 w/ DC40 collars and I like the 320 and DC40 system the best.

[Steve White]

I believe part of the problem with battery usage. Is the amount of time one ends up using the backlight. Mine is on almost all the time. Does not help much. A faster processor, higher screen resolution all use more battery life.

Still most of the time I can get a full day out of a set of rechargeable's. At least 8-10 hours of hunting time anyway. I normally have at least 2 units going, but up to 4. So I carry a lot of batteries. Normally around 10 sets! Normally if the batteries die on the 320 the 220 is not far behind.

The right battery does make a huge difference. Can't use the cheap dollar store heavy duty batteries. Even the rechargeable ones are not the same. Have to watch those mAH ratings. There are some cheap ones that some may buy to save a few bucks. Not worth it at all. Chamelion is one maker of cheap ones. They have some that are only 800mAH. Not going to last long at all. I even found that their 2600mAH ones do not last as long in regards to amount of charges. Yeah, they work well, but just do hold up to lots of charges.

I like the Energizer's, but Duracells are good as well. You can find a 4pk with charger for around $20 at Walmart. Even if the cost was double. It would not take long to pay for themselves. Even if you bought the throw aways at the dollar store.

Rechargeable is the only way to go. Anything else in my opinion is just stupid!