Lithium batteries recommended for GPS backcountry use

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Lithium batteries recommended for GPS backcountry use

I received a recommendation from a reader, for the use of Lithium batteries in a GPS receiver and I rejected the suggestion out of ignorance based on my out-dated knowledge.

I said that Lithium batteries were expensive and the only value of Lithium batteries was that they had a longer shelf life than regular batteries. And I said that Lithium batteries were not recommended by Garmin! I had called Tech Support at Garmin and I was told that Lithium batteries were not recommended by Garmin because, out of the box, they might have higher voltages. I passed along this warning as well, to my new friend.

He wrote back, "then why do the new Garmin GPS Units have set-up settings for Alkaline, NI-ME and Lithium batteries?" I quickly checked my new eTrex Venture HC and there it was: THREE different battery settings!

Was I a victim of my own concept, that "He who knows naught knows not that he knows naught"?

Here is the rest of the story

NI-MH Rechargeable Batteries?
I had recently been fast-forwarded into the use of NI-MH rechargeable batteries in my GPS by another Tech Support person at Garmin.
On his advice, I went right down to our local Fred-Meyer big-box store. The clerk showed me the NI-HM charger with several AA and AAA batteries in a package for about $19.00. I asked about the same set up offered for $30.00 and $40.00 by other brands. He said I was welcome to pay more, but the $19.00 charger and four batteries worked great for him.

My wife and I had been using a lot of AAA and AA alkaline batteries for mice, FRS radios, clocks, GPS receivers and more. "The new NI-ME rechargeable batteries will save us allot! And we will never run out of fresh batteries!" That is what we thought! Read on!

I have been replacing my GPS batteries before every trip. The rechargeable batteries are great for this. I use my GPS almost every day. I have lots of experience with my GPS. I have lots of partially discharged AA batteries for my flash light and for the proper recycling bin.

I download new waypoints and tracks between trips so that my GPS is always clear. I just use the default numbers, (001), (002) then name the waypoint in my Map Tech Terrain Navigator or National Geographic Topo computer programs. I keep all the waypoints together by using the same first letter or two of the waypoint such as NS for North Sister so as to re-load them for my next adventure on the peak. I use the track feature on my GPS Unit so as to place the actual track traveled on my digital maps as well as the waypoints. Here is an example.

However, I checked the NI-MH batteries after charging and found they never reached 1.5 volts. Back to Garmin! Another Tech noted that the three settings for batteries was related to the meter that warns users when the batteries are getting low. (If the GPS unit stops working, due to low batteries, the information is saved by the remaining voltage in the worn out batteries. If the batteries are removed, the information stays due to the residual voltage retained in the device.) The new tech stated that I would get the best service from Lithium batteries!

Lithium Batteries Recommended!
Lithium batteries have recently become very available. If Fred Meyer (Kroger) has them, everyone has them. I purchased a pack of AA Lithium batteries at Fred Meyer big box store. Yes they are a little more than the cost of Duracell Coppertop Alkaline batteries; or Ultralast MI-MH rechargeable batteries.

What are the stated Lithium advantages?
1. Energizer Lithium's weigh 33% less than their Alkaline! This is big to me. I count every ounce. I now carry two backup Energizer Lithium batteries in my backpack/daypack/summit pack.
2. Energizer Lithium's may last longer in "high tech devices! Energizer statements do refer specifically to "Digital Cameras"
3. Energizer Lithium's perform well in extreme temperatures "40 degrees to 140 degrees". This is very big!

Bonus Admonition: Keep your batteries warm:
Several people who became lost in the storms of winter recently have experienced failure of their GPS receivers and cell phones. I believe this is because they kept the device in an outside Gore-Tex pocket. Here is my suggestion:

Keep your cell phone and GPS in a pants pocket near your femoral artery. When you need to use it, hold it in a gloved hand that has a chemical hand warmer next to your palm. Don't carry these devices in an outer pocket of your Gore-Tex shell. Climbers recently lost on Mount Hood are an example.

My camera batteries went away during our recent snow camping trip. Other folks were smarter than I and contributed their pictures.

It is really silly to just take one cell phone. Every person who hikes with you should care his/her own cell phone, turned off, in a pants pocket. My cell phone weighs 4 oz. and fits in my pants pocket.

My Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS weighs just 5.3 oz. and fits in the other pants pocket. Try that with your $800 GPS Map 6000!

We still use the rechargeable batteries around the house. Alkaline batteries are OK in the summer. I use Lithium batteries in the three colder seasons.

WARNING - *DISCLAIMER!*
Mountain climbing has inherent dangers that can, only in part, be mitigated

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