Gps watch / running watch for a 24hour race

If the footpod method works on the Polar, how about getting a footpod for Garmin 310XT or whatever you have, and turn off the GPS? Only just thought of this reading the thread, but since I have a footpod for my 310 maybe it is worth a try. (I got the footpod originally so it would take over when running through tunnels in marathons.) But do I have to run for 20+ hrs to find out if it does the job?? 

BTW on the 310 IIRC the charger is plugged into with a USB connector, so you could separate it there, Debra.

Get yourself one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/duracell-portable-usb-charger-/180957898995?pt=UK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccessories_MobilePhoneChargers&hash=item2a21ee68f3

It doesn't take any batteries, it IS a battery. Rechargeable - just plug it into a wall socket. Small and light enough to just hold in your hand for the 45 mins or so it'll take to recharge your Garmin once it's started beeping at you. When it's charging you can't access your data but I suppose 45 mins isn't too long when you're doing a 24 hour race!

I've got a 405 that starts beeping at 4 hours and dies totally at 6. Nearly splashed out £350+ on a 910xt but spent £10 on this option instead. Probably the best £10 I ever spent...

RWD - and this works well enough to give a continuous run record with no loss? how long does the recharge last? sounds a decent option

(Thanks for tipping me off about this Jools)

I've developed my own solution for keeping a 305 running continuously for 48+ hours, on my wrist, without using the cradle -- bit of a bodge but it does work: Garmin 305 with USB socket and external charger page. I wanted it to work primarily for navigation to do the Bob Graham Round, so I could follow the wiggly line on the map screen for 24 hours but leave my hands free to scramble up rocks.

In fact I'm charging my 305 right now at work using a USB cable from my laptop -- no cradle involved!

Incidentally, I tried on a MotoActv at the VLM expo this year. It isn't supposed to have a good battery life, but it does have a USB socket built in, to that would be much easier to charge on the go (assuming it allows charging while being used). And good mapping (of streets at least).

Okay, so the 410xt screen goes blank except for the "charging" icon and % charged bar when it's plugged in to charge. Does it keep running and recording data, if it's on when it's set to charge? If so, one of the mobile chargers would be a good solution. And if it could be done a bit at a time, even better - charge for 5 mins while grabbing food, refilling drink bladder etc. at an aid station...

EG Graham wrote (see)

RWD - and this works well enough to give a continuous run record with no loss? how long does the recharge last? sounds a decent option

It works perfectly. Keeps a continuous record of your run even through the charging. The recharge lasts as long as any other time you recharge your Garmin - once your screen says 'Charging 100%' , you can unplug it and it'll then last as long as it normally does when charged whatever other way you usually do it.

I'm not sure how much charge is in the little Duracell pack though, as in, how many times you could recharge while running before the charger ran out. I think the leaflet that came with it said it would give you 3 hours of extra talktime on your smartphone, so going by that with a normal recharge taking 45 mins, you could use it at least four times before it would run out. Meaning my 405 with a battery life of 6 hours total (5 hours before it starts beeping low battery at me) could likely be extended to 20 hours continuous with the use of the charging pack. I haven't used it on anything longer than a 9.5 hour run yet, and on that I only had to recharge once...

With my setup the PowerBee "Executive" charger, which is rated at 3400 mA.hr, kept my 305 going for about 50 hours before I cheated and recharged because I wanted it to last through some training. It probably would have lasted longer if I'd only turned on the charger intermittently, but actually I just left it turned on (trying to output 5V) to the Garmin the whole time. After 50 hours the external pack was dead and the Garmin was showing fairly low battery, but wasn't yet complaining at me. I used it on quite a sunny day but it wasn't aiming straight at the sun very much, and carried on through the night(s) of course.

(Anyone else find the 305 can get so low on battery that it won't let you reset at the end of a stopped workout -- maybe the beeps are too much for it! Even if it has enough charge to keep acquiring for some time...)

CharlieW - really like your improvements! Don't think my DIY skills would ever be up to attempting something like that though. Were you not a bit twitchy about modifying a £200 bit of kit? I think I'd be crapping myself I'd just break it...

My alternative plan was to buy a 310XT (as well) which would have cost a bit, so it was worth the gamble! Mind you, I'm getting a few beepy off/on noises now when I move the watch around sometimes when plugged into the computer, so maybe one of my connections is getting a bit iffy already....

I had a 305 and use to use a USB battery thing plugged into the cradle for long stuff. Worked very well and in theory can be kept going for ever by replacing the AA batterys in the device. and the watch kept working whilst charging.

I too fell for the charms of the 310XT but it seems to shut down as soon as the charger is connected. Have never tried connecting it up in anger and testing the thing on the run.

Can someone confirm that the 310XT will continue to record whilst charging.

I borrowed a second 310XT for a 100 I was doing to get me through.

Thanks

M.eface

RWD - I bought the Duracell charger as you recommended (less then a fiver and came with a Garmin lead and one for my Iphone) and looks good will try it over weekend, seems as long as it can be connected securely and I have spare AAs as M..eface says it could run forever, great tip!