topic Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

[6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

ulightme — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:10:08 GMT

PLEASE someone tell Firmware team to make the 6D STOP draining battery while OFF.

I noticed that even while the camera is OFF (Hardware Switched OFF) the GPS is still draining to battery.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

Skirball — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:46:44 GMT

Yes, this is what everyone was hoping they'd fix with the first firmware update. Seems they decided to pool their resources and tackle that horrible issue with the Date/Time/Zone values resetting themselves. Glad they got that fixed.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

hsbn — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:04:16 GMT

I want this feature and the White Balance button so bad.
http://forums.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS/6D-GPS-Drains-battery-when-idle/m-p/13439#U13439 you can bump the thread there.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

Skirball — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:51:42 GMT

No doubt about the white balance button. I don't use GPS so it doesn't bother me, but I just think it's sloppy engineering on Canon's part and I think not fixing it shows their apathetic corporate side.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

ulightme — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:54:01 GMT

great thread ... let's hope this is fixed in the next FW upgrade

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

heyjp — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:54:52 GMT

Me three.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

ulightme — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:12:06 GMT

OFF means OFF 🙂

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

freedom — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 21:15:26 GMT

6D battery drain - "Work Around"

Install the Canon Battery Grip.

Step 1. Turn the battery lock to Open.and leave it unlocked

(Batteries are now disconected from camera)

Step 2 Use a rubber band to hold battery tray in.

====================================

NOTE:: If Canon will not make a fix, possibly the after-market suppliers of the 'Grip' will make a three position latch.

A 'Modified' grip could easily be manufactured by modifying the tray and latch assembly.

Position 1. Power disconnected and tray locked in (6:00 clock position)

Position 2. Tray unlocked (Similar position as present)

Position 3. Tray is locked and power is connecd. (Same position as present and battery drain will continue as it does now..)

GET WITH IT CANON.... or let the after-market fix it with their 'Grip'

Bill

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

hsbn — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:06:39 GMT

don't worry, Canon will fix some translation error in the next firmware release.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

MortenZdk — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 06:35:17 GMT

The Magic Lantern (http://www.magiclantern.fm/) is said to have this feature, but I have not tried it myself.

Gee... pretty annoying having to use a 3rd hack for a $2000+ camera, just because Canon don't know that OFF means OFF.

When you turn the camera OFF, often you put it away some place where there is no GPS coverage, for example inside a house or in the trunk of a car, so it really makes no sense burning battery to look for GPS, with the disadvantage that next time you try to turn the camera on, there is no battery left.

Canon should really fix this in a firmware upgrade; also for the 7D Mark II that has the same annoying problem.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

Peter — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 19:11:47 GMT

ML works, but I am not happy with the function. Everytime the camera is powered off or going into sleeping mode the GPS is turned off. Turned on it will take time to activate the GPS. Best would be 30 or 60 minutes auto GPS off after you turned your camera off.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

heyjp — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 19:35:23 GMT

I agree that a timeout period would be ideal, but after more than 2 years, and other models with same lack of function, I don't think it's on canon's radar. The ML solution has worked fine for me. Plus, I love the built-in intervelometer that it adds.

Jim in Boulder

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

MortenZdk — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:18:58 GMT

Thanks for sharing your experience with ML.

Sounds like there is still room for improvement.

However, I think an easy to understand operation would be that OFF means OFF without any current leak, and sleep mode with current drain could be OK but maybe the update rate should be slower.

At least OFF should meas OFF.

Re: [6D] stop the GPS battery drain with the OFF switch

Peter — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 21:42:37 GMT

It is just a software switch.