Batteries for GPS?

[Foster]

Recently got the Dakota 20 GPS which is great except for one thing...I am running through lithium batteries very quickly cause I have been doing lots of riding and they are not cheap.  I was looking into NiMh batteries so that I can recharge them.  Is it ok to use these in a GPS?  What is the most powerful battery in (mAh units) that you can get.  And will having a higher mAh rating even make a huge difference?  Just trying to save money and carry less batteries on long rides.

[ScottM]

Eric -- no problem using NiMh batts in any Garmin GPS.  They don't last as long, so you may need to carry more backups.  There's a setting in the GPS for battery type, which doesn't matter except for how it displays the battery meter.

[Foster]

Looks like lithium batteries are going to be my best bet for longest lasting ehh? Scott-What do you personally use, how long of a life do you get when the GPS is on?

Scott-Also have another question thats unrelated to batteries, you might be able to help me.  I busted my rear wheel and I am looking for a new one that is fairly light and has very minimal drag on the hub without sacrificing durability, any recommendations? 

[rocky rode]

There's a setting in the GPS for battery type, which doesn't matter except for how it displays the battery meter.

Does my eTrex Vista have this option?  I wasn't aware of it.

[Done]

For 1-2 day trips into the mountains, I generally use rechargeable NiMh batteries with my Garmin Vista HCx. For longer trips, I use disposable lithiums.

[caseygreene]

For 1-2 day trips into the mountains, I generally use rechargeable NiMh batteries with my Garmin Vista HCx. For longer trips, I use disposable lithiums.

I do the exact same with my Dakota 20. Seems to be the best way to get around models which come with a built in rechargeable battery, such as the Edge series.

[Done]

Seems like my battery life is a little better if I disable WAAS as well. Used to make a very pronounced difference with my original b/w Vista.

[rhino]

I can get almost 40 hours out of my Lithium batteries in then Vista HCX. Seems unreal but left them in until the unit dies.

[rhino]

I can get almost 40 hours out of my Lithium batteries in then Vista HCX. Seems unreal but left them in until the unit dies.

Ok checking stats it was 35 hours.

[ScottM]

I've seen 40+ hours on lithiums before.  For racing I use them otherwise on shorter trips rechargeable are sure cheaper/easier.

The dakota's battery life can't compare to the Vista's, for both battery types.

Eric - Hubs?  I've always had good luck with DT 240's, but they aren't cheap...

rocky rode (Gary) - yep, there's an option in almost every Garmin I've seen.  Though sometimes with different revisions they occasionally pull Lithium from the choices... not sure why.  The battery gage is pretty useless for Lithium anyway... it stays full until you are basically dead, which means you get the low batt warning, and generally have <10 min left...

[perdido]

Does my eTrex Vista have this option?  I wasn't aware of it.

Yes. You have to go to MAIN MENU, CONFIGURE, then to SYSTEM. There are 3 options: NiMH, Alkaline, Lithium.

[DesertDog]

I can get almost 40 hours out of my Lithium batteries in then Vista HCX. Seems unreal but left them in until the unit dies.

Damn, that is impressive!

I get about 15 hours of solid riding and mapping time out of my 2700mah NiMH batteries with the 60CSx.  I normally ride at a .2 mile or 800 ft zoom though, which probably eats battery life with redraws.  But, they are rechargeable, I have 4 sets ready to go for the GPS and the camera and I travel with a power inverter.  I could switch, but I'd rather be on the trail with an extra couple ounces of weight and help save the planet!  Guess I might change my mind if I were to try to take on something like 'The Divide' or such!