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Okay my Gps batteries usually last me about 20 hours on average. As I started to "play" with my GPS more, I'd plug the gps into my usb slot of my laptop and do stuff. I've had the same batteries for over 30 hrs and the indicator indicates 4 bars fully charged still. These are regular alkaline batteries not rechargeable ones. Are they magical ? I can't find anything in the documentation.

If my GPS can't acquire a satellite signal (inside a building) then it will eventually go into a "low-power" mode where it stops searching for a signal but stays on so that I can play with all the other functions stored in memory (waypoints, tracks, etc.). I've never tested the battery life doing this because I rarely have it turned on in the house for very long. But that could be what's happening?

rlrjamy wrote:Okay my Gps batteries usually last me about 20 hours on average. As I started to "play" with my GPS more, I'd plug the gps into my usb slot of my laptop and do stuff. I've had the same batteries for over 30 hrs and the indicator indicates 4 bars fully charged still. These are regular alkaline batteries not rechargeable ones. Are they magical ? I can't find anything in the documentation.

I know that when I plug my Garmin into my USB, it takes power from the computer vs the batteries.

The 30 hours is time in the field after it "charged" from the computer or they are magical.

My vote is either magic or somehow someone slipped new batteries in it when you werent looking.
You wrote that your GPS was acting a bit goofy on Mt Baldy... Maybe it doesnt know that it is dead

I haven't counted too closely but my Garmin 76CSX will go for two - three days on the lithium batteries. Have since heard that is not a good idea because they put out a bit more juice, but they do last a long time.

Not an official site and looks a little sketchy but
http://www.gpscentral.com/product/garmin-gpsmap-76csx says
USER TIP: Lithium batteries are recommended for GPS use. If your GPSMAP 76CSx shuts off when using fresh lithium batteries, try discharging the batteries in another device for a short time. Uninterrupted GPS use should then be assured.

I think my Garmin has a setting for lithium batteries

Okay after about and additional 6 hrs today the magical batteries are now dead

Put 'em in the sun for a ten minutes, they'll juice up!

My garmin 60Cx does have a setting for lithium, so probably the 76 does, too.