Has battery performance improved?

wibbly · Frequent Visitor Joined: Dec 20, 2003 Posts: 315

I'm considering buying a device as a present. I have a ONE V2 as a reference point. One thing I *don't* like about it is how it self discharges its battery in about a week of non-use (I know it's possible to "reset/power off" the device but then the clock stops). Also the battery life in use is very short (designed only for setting up destinations before you go really).

So, if I get a current generation device (say one of the ONE series, maybe or an XL series), have they improved in these two respects? It's one area when Garmin claim a better spec at least for runnig time ('up to 5hrs battry life')

mikealder · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:24 am Post subject:

A lot of manufacturers claim elongated battery durations, if you look at a TomTom One XL v9 (this is the new one with the easy port mount) I would expect to see around 2 to 2,5 hours from a full charge when not connected to the vehicle supply. This is the typical endurance I have seen when trying it without car power.
All car based devices are supplied with a car charger lead and it is intended that the device should be powered while in use, you can also power the device from a USB port on your PC, just remember to answer No to the question about connecting to the PC. I have no idea what the battery durations are for the Garmin products, perhaps asking a similar question in the Garmin area will give a better idea from actual users of the hardware - Mike

wibbly · Frequent Visitor Joined: Dec 20, 2003 Posts: 315

What about self discharge? Do the newer devices go flat in week on their own?

mikealder · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:39 am Post subject:

I never leave a device that long between use, although some of the units have had a tendency to automatically power up of their own accord which does lead to a flat battery. My One Third Edition (v7) does this from time to time, you don't notice it unless you have the device sat in front of you when it suddenly fires up, so perhaps this is what your device is doing? - Mike

Antoeknee · Lifetime Member Joined: Jul 29, 2005 Posts: 267

I'm still using a TT500 which does whats necessary i.e. gets me from A to B. Like others I'm not interested in MP3 player and other 'added' features.

The battery life is still really good I usually get 4+ hours.

Calomax · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

Wibbly wrote

Tom59 · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject:

I believe that it actually does a battery good to be discharged fully, then recharged now and again. Unless anyone knows different...................
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Anita · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

technik · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

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