Though the batteries don't actually fell unduly loose, I'm going to try mine for a few days in the Lakes next week with the bits of rubber band under the contacts (as in the 3rd link above), and with some self-adhesive green felt strips on the inside of the battery cover.
If it doesn't shut-off at all then I'll probably not send it to Garmin. If it does - even once - then I will.
I'll report back
I used mine for a couple of days in The Lakes as planned...
I put bits of rubber beneath the battery contacts
and self-adhesive felt on the inside of the battery cover.
I put brand new Duracell batteries in (have never used rechargeables btw).
On the 2nd day the unit shut off - once.
I sent it back to Garmin yesterday.
I'm absolutely convinced that it's a problem with the Etrex H and it's pot-luck whether you get a good or a faulty unit. When I mentioned as much to the chap at Garmin on the phone, he didn't seem to go out of his way to convince me otherwise.
I hope to receive my
4th unit in 9 months sometime next week - hopefully the law of averages holds out!