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Best Rechargeables?


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Do you find GPS performance affected by the type or quality of rechargeable you use?

No. Either it works or it doesn't. GPS is digital, batteries are analog.

 

If you scroll back through this forum, you should find at least one long thread, maybe several, on this very topic. It comes up from time to time.

 

EDIT: For example: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=315097

Edited by Viajero Perdido
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Do you find GPS performance affected by the type or quality of rechargeable you use?

I use eneloops and maha c 9000.

Regardless of what brand is chosen make sure the unit is set to operate with the correct type of battery. Performance may be affected by incorrect settings.

The setting you're referring to (on my Garmin Oregon 650 it's at Setup/System/AA Battery Type) does not affect performance, it changes the way the unit estimates and displays battery drain.

 

--Larry

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Do you find GPS performance affected by the type or quality of rechargeable you use?

I use eneloops and maha c 9000.

Regardless of what brand is chosen make sure the unit is set to operate with the correct type of battery. Performance may be affected by incorrect settings.

The setting you're referring to (on my Garmin Oregon 650 it's at Setup/System/AA Battery Type) does not affect performance, it changes the way the unit estimates and displays battery drain.

 

--Larry

Certainly in my case I found that my runtime was better with the correct settings, all other settings unchanged, and there are other posts on the forum saying the same, but as with all things personal usage is a major factor in how long batteries last. YMMV.

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I have had that same charger for several years now, works great. I can't remember the model number right now but I have been thinking about buying the same charger that does all of the other size rechargeable batteries.

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I just got the 64s and noticed an extra battery choice in setup. There is 'traditional NiMH' and 'precharged NiMH'. I've used Eneloops for years and never saw an option to differentiate between standard and hybrid NiMH before. What do you suppose is the difference that Garmin has you make a choice? I always thought that the runtime and drop-off etc was the same between standard and hybrid NiMH batteries. No?

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This is interesting. I'm guessing " precharged " refers to " low discharge " like the Eneloops. Between the Eneloop and the standard NIMH ( MAHA PowerX ) there is enough difference in initial voltage that I almost never have to calibrate the electronic compass when using Eneloops and thats not always true of the standard NIMH ( using same charger, etc. ). I think its good to have the new selection available because the GPS is seeing ( voltage wise ) two slightly different batteries.

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This is interesting. I'm guessing " precharged " refers to " low discharge " like the Eneloops. Between the Eneloop and the standard NIMH ( MAHA PowerX ) there is enough difference in initial voltage that I almost never have to calibrate the electronic compass when using Eneloops and thats not always true of the standard NIMH ( using same charger, etc. ). I think its good to have the new selection available because the GPS is seeing ( voltage wise ) two slightly different batteries.

 

I think I'll switch the profile to standard NiMH and see if there's a difference in behavior.

I will say this; the 64s uses the very same batteries significantly faster than the eTrex 30. I'm not surprised or displeased, the 64s has a MUCH MUCH faster processor. That was my main 'gotta have' buying point. wink.gif

 

I used the same set of Eneloops in the eTrex 30 and almost never had any need to recalibrate the compass, either. I've done at least 5 or 6 battery swaps on the 64s already, and I have not seen the need to calibrate the compass each time, either.

 

What I use as my "it's time to calibrate" metric is when I get about 25' away from GZ and stop and look. If the compass changes direction, it's time to calibrate.

My logic is, as I'm walking, it's using the GPS to drive the arrow. And when I stop, it switches to the mag compass. If the mag compass doesn't agree with the GPS, the heading will jump when I stop. Is that a good way to judge?

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This is interesting. I'm guessing " precharged " refers to " low discharge " like the Eneloops. Between the Eneloop and the standard NIMH ( MAHA PowerX ) there is enough difference in initial voltage that I almost never have to calibrate the electronic compass when using Eneloops and thats not always true of the standard NIMH ( using same charger, etc. ). I think its good to have the new selection available because the GPS is seeing ( voltage wise ) two slightly different batteries.

 

I think I'll switch the profile to standard NiMH and see if there's a difference in behavior.

I will say this; the 64s uses the very same batteries significantly faster than the eTrex 30. I'm not surprised or displeased, the 64s has a MUCH MUCH faster processor. That was my main 'gotta have' buying point. wink.gif

 

I used the same set of Eneloops in the eTrex 30 and almost never had any need to recalibrate the compass, either. I've done at least 5 or 6 battery swaps on the 64s already, and I have not seen the need to calibrate the compass each time, either.

 

What I use as my "it's time to calibrate" metric is when I get about 25' away from GZ and stop and look. If the compass changes direction, it's time to calibrate.

My logic is, as I'm walking, it's using the GPS to drive the arrow. And when I stop, it switches to the mag compass. If the mag compass doesn't agree with the GPS, the heading will jump when I stop. Is that a good way to judge?

 

I believe you are correct but again let me say in over 10 years and multiple 3-axis units I have never had to field calibrate......I understand the Etrex 30 had problems for awhile and a few times I had to field calibrate the 60 CSx but it is a 2-axis unit.

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