GPS - Automotive GPS with user-replacable batteries

Author

Automotive GPS with user-replacable batteries

Uncle Ben

2007-10-07, 7:33 am

Is there such a thing? Most reviews I've read indicate that that GPS
systems come with non-user replacable batteries.

TIA!

Jack Erbes

2007-10-07, 10:33 am

Uncle Ben wrote:
> Is there such a thing? Most reviews I've read indicate that that GPS
> systems come with non-user replacable batteries.
>
> TIA!

The Garmin zumos have a user replaceable Li-Ion battery pack. There may
be some of the other models that do too. You can use the product
comparison page to see the details on all the various models.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

Jack

Bob Gardner

2007-10-07, 3:33 pm

My StreetPilot III had a six-pack of AA batteries that I could and did
replace as necessary. My 2730 has no batteries at all.

Bob Gardner

"Uncle Ben" < reel_jemm_removespam
@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:5j4Oi.6904$xa2.5873@read2.cgocable.net...
> Is there such a thing? Most reviews I've read indicate that that GPS
> systems come with non-user replacable batteries.
>
> TIA!
>

Joseph Johnson

2007-10-08, 10:33 pm

while not meant to be user replaceable, the Tom Tom One can be user fixed
and replace for $25 US:

http://www.tomtomforums.com/showthread.php?t=1091

http://www.infinitybatteries.com/p-...ery-1200mah-li-
ion.aspx? gclid=CJm356DEgI8CFT
aoGgodgyqT2w

"Uncle Ben" < reel_jemm_removespam
@yahoo.ca> wrote in news:5j4Oi.6904
$xa2.5873@read2.cgocable.net:

> Is there such a thing? Most reviews I've read indicate that that GPS
> systems come with non-user replacable batteries.
>
> TIA!
>
>

mcewena

2007-10-10, 12:33 pm

On Oct 7, 8:29 am, "Uncle Ben" <reel_jemm_removes...@yahoo.ca> wrote:
> Is there such a thing? Most reviews I've read indicate that that GPS
> systems come with non-user replacable batteries.
>
> TIA!

Asus PDAs have user-replaceable batteries and a built in GPS receiver.

Linea Recta

2007-10-10, 3:33 pm

"Jack Erbes" <jacker@midmaine.com> schreef in bericht
news:4708d7ab$0$7478
$4c368faf@roadrunner
.com...
> Uncle Ben wrote:
>
> The Garmin zumos have a user replaceable Li-Ion battery pack. There may
> be some of the other models that do too. You can use the product
> comparison page to see the details on all the various models.

I'm surprised to read that there are any systems with non-replaceble
batteries at all! What's the advantage of that?
What's next? Cars with non-replaceble batteries??

--
regards,

|\ /|
| \/ |@rk
\../
\/os

Uncle Ben

2007-10-10, 3:33 pm

"Linea Recta" <mccm.vos@abc.invalid> wrote in message
news:470d13b2$0$234$
e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...
> "Jack Erbes" <jacker@midmaine.com> schreef in bericht
> news:4708d7ab$0$7478
$4c368faf@roadrunner
.com...
SNIP
> I'm surprised to read that there are any systems with non-replaceble
> batteries at all! What's the advantage of that?
> What's next? Cars with non-replaceble batteries??
--
> regards,
> | \/ |@rk

SNIP

Advantage ... for us, customers, NONE whatsoever. For the GPS manufacturer,
they want customers to return their unit to the factory for battery
replacement, at a cost, of course. There are ways around if one is
comfortable taking the system apart to take the old battery out and solder
the connection to a fresh battery that you can buy for around USD $50.
Admittedly, I have no idea what Garmin charges ... but I have no doubt that
it's significantly more than $50.

Cheers!

P.S. If you come across a good GPS with user-replaceable batteries, please
let us know.

Uncle Ben

2007-10-10, 3:33 pm

"mcewena" <art.mcewen@moh.gov.on.ca> wrote in message
news:1192031975.758061.117400@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 7, 8:29 am, "Uncle Ben" <reel_jemm_removes...@yahoo.ca> wrote:
>
> Asus PDAs have user-replaceable batteries and a built in GPS receiver.
>
Yes, I'm just starting to look into that. HP also has few Pocket PC's unit
especially equipped with the RAM and TOMTOM software to handle the GPS
functionality. But the reviews I've come across aren't that good and that's
why other OEM's have abandoned that idea completely (NEC, DELL, etc.). Have
you seen any good feedback on the ASUS PDA/GPS line?

TIA!

mcewena

2007-10-11, 12:33 pm

On Oct 10, 2:51 pm, "Uncle Ben" <reel_jemm_removes...@yahoo.ca> wrote:
> "mcewena" <art.mce...@moh.gov.on.ca> wrote in message
>
> news:1192031975.758061.117400@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...> On Oct 7, 8:29 am, "Uncle Ben" <reel_jemm_removes...@yahoo.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> Yes, I'm just starting to look into that. HP also has few Pocket PC's unit
> especially equipped with the RAM and TOMTOM software to handle the GPS
> functionality. But the reviews I've come across aren't that good and that's
> why other OEM's have abandoned that idea completely (NEC, DELL, etc.). Have
> you seen any good feedback on the ASUS PDA/GPS line?
>
> TIA!

I like my Asus, start up time is a little slow because it's loading
more "stuff" but even then by the time you've gotten into Destinator
(the software that came bundled with it) you often have to wait for
the GPS signal from a cold boot. The screen is bright enough for
everything but a convertible and the speaker is loud enough even for
that and the battery life is good. Only goofy thing is that the power
cradle blocks the headphone jack so I can't use it as an in-car MP3
player...

However I have no idea what a replacement battery costs. I'm guessing
it's in the $100 neighbourhood, now if it lasts 3-5 years will I
replace the battery or replace the unit for a newer one by then? I'm
guessing the manufacturors who don't offer user-replacible batteries
are assuming you'll upgrade.

Uncle Ben

2007-10-11, 12:33 pm

"mcewena" <art.mcewen@moh.gov.on.ca> wrote in message
news:1192118960.778079.77880@57g2000hsv.googlegroups.com...
SNIP
> I like my Asus, start up time is a little slow because it's loading
> more "stuff" but even then by the time you've gotten into Destinator
> (the software that came bundled with it) you often have to wait for
> the GPS signal from a cold boot. The screen is bright enough for
> everything but a convertible and the speaker is loud enough even for
> that and the battery life is good. Only goofy thing is that the power
> cradle blocks the headphone jack so I can't use it as an in-car MP3
> player...
>
> However I have no idea what a replacement battery costs. I'm guessing
> it's in the $100 neighbourhood, now if it lasts 3-5 years will I
> replace the battery or replace the unit for a newer one by then? I'm
> guessing the manufacturors who don't offer user-replacible batteries
> are assuming you'll upgrade.

Just curious, which model did you buy?

mcewena

2007-10-12, 3:33 pm

> Just curious, which model did you buy?

A636, it came with Destinator 6 and a 1Gb SD card. Asus later
released a patch to bring it up to Windows Mobile 6

Uncle Ben

2007-10-12, 3:33 pm

"mcewena" <art.mcewen@moh.gov.on.ca> wrote in message
news:1192212034.185378.241740@t8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>
>
> A636, it came with Destinator 6 and a 1Gb SD card. Asus later
> released a patch to bring it up to Windows Mobile 6

Thank you - this is very helpful.

Uncle Ben

2007-10-12, 10:33 pm

"Uncle Ben" < reel_jemm_removespam
@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:5j4Oi.6904$xa2.5873@read2.cgocable.net...
> Is there such a thing? Most reviews I've read indicate that that GPS
> systems come with non-user replacable batteries.
>
> TIA!
>
Just a quick T.U. note to all who have taken time out to respond to my post.

There isn't a hell of a lot out there in terms of "GOOD" automotive GPSs
with user-replaceable batteries. My problem is that I don't like to see
that wire hanging from the windshield ... so I'm looking for a good
automotive GPS that not only has good battery life on a single charge; but
one with a user-changeable battery. So if the battery goes low on a longer
trip, you just swap it for a fresh one; and AC-recharge both batteries once
you reach destination.

Another poster (Art) suggested a Pocket PC, the ASUS A636. And he's right,
for this form factor, it's probably the best compromise available out there,
the battery life is unbelievable! I have a PDA, I'm happy with it, I don't
want to transition to a new one; nor do I want to have to connect to a
desktop to download the maps I'm going to use this week. I want a unit that
is pre-loaded with all the maps I need, in my case the USA and Canada.
While you can that with a PDA, I understand that they become sluggish, very
sluggish, almost inoperable, when you try to load too large a map. Windows
CE, no matter the version, is not known for stability. It works fine if you
don't push it but once you do, humm, things can get dicy pretty quickly. Is
that your experience Art? With small chuncks of maps, you're doing fine,
but if you try to load a larger map, things don't work so well? Not to
mention that they're relatively expensive if all you need is the GPS
functionality.

I think I might just buy a cheapy SH unit for now and wait a few months. My
hunch is that the market place is about to be flooded with a new generation
of solar-powered GPS's, whereby the entire back of the unit will be filled
with postage-stamp size solar cell receptors ... Bye bye batteries, bye bye
wires ... Uncle Ben is happy, or will be, hopefully soon.

It's already out there, in fact it's been out there for quite some time; but
the big players have been procrastinating over this. If you Google it,
you'll see all kinds of info on solar GPS's, but nothing from the big boys.
Humm, I think that's about to change.

Again, just a hunch ... based on hours of surfing the net. Don't kid
yourself, Garmin and the like don't equip their system with user-changeable
batteries for no reason. Hell, I've had PDA's for ages and all of them came
with user-changeable, user-friendly batteries that you could replace at
will. Why not GPS - well, yes, you guessed it. They want you to send it
back to the factory for a battery re-fit ... but then the price is so
astronomical that your best option is to simply buy a new unit ... For those
of you who think that those lithium ion batteries last forever, think again.
They don't - and they will quickly, and I do mean QUICKLY, lose their charge
retention potential; so much, that after a year, if your GPS could stay on
for say 4 hours when you got it, you'll be lucky if you can get 2 hours on a
single charge. Now, I'm not talking about users who take their GPS out for
a Sunday morning drive here. I'm talking about someone who uses his/her GPS
everyday for a few or many hours. I'll tell you, with that kind of usage
and the number of charging cycles you have to put the battery through, after
a couple of years, the battery won't hold more than an hour if you're lucky.

All we need is one big player, be it GarMint, Tom Boy or MAGgie baby to bite
the bullet, and the comrades will follow suit in a heart beat.

Again thanks to all who have taken an interest.

Cheers and have a nice day.

Bill Cotton

2007-10-12, 10:33 pm

"Uncle Ben" < reel_jemm_removespam
@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:HKRPi.7696$xa2.3323@read2.cgocable.net...
>
> "Uncle Ben" < reel_jemm_removespam
@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> news:5j4Oi.6904$xa2.5873@read2.cgocable.net...
> Just a quick T.U. note to all who have taken time out to respond to my
> post.
>
> There isn't a hell of a lot out there in terms of "GOOD" automotive GPSs
> with user-replaceable batteries. My problem is that I don't like to see
> that wire hanging from the windshield ... so I'm looking for a good
> automotive GPS that not only has good battery life on a single charge; but
> one with a user-changeable battery. So if the battery goes low on a
> longer trip, you just swap it for a fresh one; and AC-recharge both
> batteries once you reach destination.

> Another poster (Art) suggested a Pocket PC, the ASUS A636. And he's
> right, for this form factor, it's probably the best compromise available
> out there, the battery life is unbelievable! I have a PDA, I'm happy with
> it, I don't want to transition to a new one; nor do I want to have to
> connect to a desktop to download the maps I'm going to use this week. I
> want a unit that is pre-loaded with all the maps I need, in my case the
> USA and Canada. While you can that with a PDA, I understand that they
> become sluggish, very sluggish, almost inoperable, when you try to load
> too large a map. Windows CE, no matter the version, is not known for
> stability. It works fine if you don't push it but once you do, humm,
> things can get dicy pretty quickly. Is that your experience Art? With
> small chuncks of maps, you're doing fine, but if you try to load a larger
> map, things don't work so well? Not to mention that they're relatively
> expensive if all you need is the GPS functionality.

Quest2 does all of the above. I have a Quest1 for more than two years. I
forgot to charge my battery pack on a 10 hour ride this summer
http://www.billcotton.com/MY_rides.htm#Current%20ride. page down to June 23,
2007 Without the backlight the internal battery of the Quest1 lasted for the
entire bicycle ride.
I found instruction on the web for replacing the battery if ever needed. I
keep a smart charger on my rechargable when not in uses.
http://www.billcotton.com/quest_on_bicycle.htm on this page near the botton
is a picture of my Quest in front of the RPM counter on the dash of mt
Subaru.
The main reason that Garmin use non replacable batteries is well known to
earlier user, cir 1998 and later http://www.billcotton.com/bike.htm My first
gps. Two model and two replacable AA batteries types all suffered from the
unit cutting off from virbration. Garmin offered sevel retro fits. and none
worked. Mainly because the tolerance of batteries size allowed movement and
the springs wasn't enough to compersate. On my pages you will find sulotions
that I made in my machine shop.

> I think I might just buy a cheapy SH unit for now and wait a few months.
> My hunch is that the market place is about to be flooded with a new
> generation of solar-powered GPS's, whereby the entire back of the unit
> will be filled with postage-stamp size solar cell receptors ... Bye bye
> batteries, bye bye wires ... Uncle Ben is happy, or will be, hopefully
> soon.
>
> It's already out there, in fact it's been out there for quite some time;
> but the big players have been procrastinating over this. If you Google
> it, you'll see all kinds of info on solar GPS's, but nothing from the big
> boys. Humm, I think that's about to change.
>
> Again, just a hunch ... based on hours of surfing the net. Don't kid
> yourself, Garmin and the like don't equip their system with
> user-changeable batteries for no reason. Hell, I've had PDA's for ages
> and all of them came with user-changeable, user-friendly batteries that
> you could replace at will. Why not GPS - well, yes, you guessed it. They
> want you to send it back to the factory for a battery re-fit ... but then
> the price is so astronomical that your best option is to simply buy a new
> unit ... For those of you who think that those lithium ion batteries last
> forever, think again. They don't - and they will quickly, and I do mean
> QUICKLY, lose their charge retention potential; so much, that after a
> year, if your GPS could stay on for say 4 hours when you got it, you'll be
> lucky if you can get 2 hours on a single charge. Now, I'm not talking
> about users who take their GPS out for a Sunday morning drive here. I'm
> talking about someone who uses his/her GPS everyday for a few or many
> hours. I'll tell you, with that kind of usage and the number of charging
> cycles you have to put the battery through, after a couple of years, the
> battery won't hold more than an hour if you're lucky.
>
> All we need is one big player, be it GarMint, Tom Boy or MAGgie baby to
> bite the bullet, and the comrades will follow suit in a heart beat.
>
> Again thanks to all who have taken an interest.
>
> Cheers and have a nice day.
>

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