Best battery options for Garmin GPS unit
If you have bought a Garmin Outdoor GPS unit that is powered by AA batteries we look at the best battery options for Garmin GPS.
You will have bought, or will be buying an expensive Outdoor GPS unit, so why not spend a small amount on the best AA batteries for your GPS unit.
Don't go and buy 10 batteries from your local pound store and wonder why you are only getting a couple of hours battery life out of your Garmin GPS unit. Invest in some good quality rechargeable batteries for your GPS unit and you will get a good 8 - 10 hours of battery life from your GPS unit.
You can see all our power and battery options here or link directly to each of the products under the video (opens in new window so you can listen to video whilst looking at the options in the store).
1. Garmin Rechargeable Battery Pack
2. Energizer Battery Charger 1 Hour inc 4 x AA batteries
3. Panasonic Eneloop Pro Charger + 4 x Pro AA Batteries
4. Energizer Batteries
5. Eneloop Batteries
6. Goal Zero Guide 12 including solar panel
If you have any questions regarding powering your Garmin GPS unit with AA batteries please don't hesitate to get in touch with GPS Training.
Related articles on batteries you may find helpful.
1. Garmin - Batteries and Satnavs - An in depth article about the technology and chemistry behind batteries.
2. Power packs for Outdoor GPS units - If you have a GPS with a built in battery or you are powering your GPS unit with a Garmin AA rechargeable power pack we look at the option of recharging your GPS unit whilst off grid.
Tim
Hi, the gem in this video was you pointing out the button that informs some devices that a genuine Garmin rechargeable pack has been inserted.
I have bought a 2nd hand Oregon 750 (originally bought from you as I have been given the paperwork), for use as a GPS source for an iPad running OsmAnd mapping / navigation software and the genuine pack is defunct. I could not get two new Energiser batteries to charge in the unit and have been trying different USB outlets and cables.
Now I have removed the old ‘Garmin’ rechargeables from the clip and fitted the Energisers into it and lo and behold it is now charging them in the unit. I need to be able to do this from a vehicle USB outlet and not a mains charger so this is now sorted!
So thank you very much for the advice.
Tom
Great video and very helpful. Is tarted using Eneloops in my Oregon 700. When setting the battery type, there’s “Precharged NiMh” and then plain old “NiMh.” What’s the difference? And which one is for the Eneloops?
Jon Monks - GPS Training
Many thanks for your comments regarding the Garmin rechargeable battery pack, they frankly are shocking.
It is a product that Garmin have not updated for nearly 10 years now and battery technology has improved lots in that time.
I personally would get a refund from the retailer you bought them from (happy to do that ourselves if bought from us) and get some good quality rechargeable AA batteries.
I hope this helps.
Jon
Trev
Hi, i’m in almost the same position as Torben except i have the 64sx. i have power saving on, screen brightness on low or mid, screen timeout to 30s, GPS only (not GLONASS), bluetooth off, track interval set to lowest, map detail set to low, 50k topo maps active but no others.
Such a shame because the unit is amazing to use, but i’m going to have to get rid of it if i’m worrying about it dropping dead mid-hike.
thanks,
Trev
Samantha McConnery
I have the same issues as Torben (March 31, 2021), battery life is short with the Garmin rechargeable battery pack and even worse with AA batteries. When using it for a multi day trip you have to bring a lot of extra batteries.