Go 520 battery questions

ricster2000 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 20, 2008 Posts: 2

Got myself a 520 about 2 weeks ago, but have some questions about the battery life as it seems awfully short

1) How long would you expect the battery to last if I'm using bluetooth? (mine has only lasted about 1hr 45mins...). Would it take a few more charges to fully optimise the battery?

2) If the battery is low, is the light supposed to only stay green? I would've thought it would change red or something like that.

3) If the battery is fully charged, is the green light suppose to stay lit or turn off? (mine currently stays on...so is switching the unit on the only way to check?)

4) And finally, when charging, does it matter whether its one continous charge, or a few short charges? (my trip to work is only about 10 minutes at a time, so can't really charge continously, and the usb charge is so slow!)

Thanks, any help at all is greatly appreciated

Oldboy · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:54 am Post subject:

1. I believe it takes several recharge cycles to get the maximum out of the battery. Bluetooth is one of the things that will increase battery drain.

2-3. The green light only indicates that the Device is connected to an external power source. The only way to check the actual level is to switch the Device on.

4. The Lithium batteries used are very tolerant and when they reach their full potential, can be left on charge continually, or charged in small bursts. Leave it on charge on the PC for as long as the PC is switched on.
_________________
Richard

TT 910 V7.903: Europe Map v1045
TT Via 135 App 12.075: Europe Map v1120

DennisN · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:11 am Post subject:

I'd swear I've seen expected battery life somewhere, but I can't find it right now. I seem to recall 2-4 hours depending on what you've got running.

But it did show up TomTom's comments on extending battery life - things like turning the brightness down (so that you can't see it!) and turning the volume down (so that you can't hear it!). I think the way to save battery is to not use it!! Twisted Evil

If you tap bottom right corner of the device, it shows a pseudo battery at the top right with full or otherwise indicated. I have read on this forum that it has been noted to show full until it suddenly runs out!

As I only ever use my devices plugged into the cig lighter socket, battery life is not a problem (wires are, of course).
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:22 am Post subject:

TT quote 4-5 hours life, but admit somewhere that Bluetooth AND FM output reduce it quite a bit. I guess that using the TMC aerial will reduce it as well.

Maybe a few of us should do some proper time trials with various bits switched on or off?

They quote the maximum in the product descriptions on their website (Product / Functionalities / technical specs.).
For the x20 models it is: "Battery lithium-polymer (up to 5 hours operation)" (SEE HERE)

Here's TomTom's suggestions for maximising battery life (pretty much as Dennis says... make it virtually unusable! Laughing

)
How can I extend the battery life of my TomTom device?

Infama · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:11 am Post subject:

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:

Anyone else sad enough to spot that the instruction manual they submitted to the FCC has pictures of the x10 windscreen mount? Rolling Eyes

Infama · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

Infama · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject:

Pictures of Go 720 innards...
http://www.gpsreview.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2739

ricster2000 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 20, 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks for the replies guys. Guess I'll just charge/discharge it a couple of times to see if the battery improves a bit. To be honest I'll probably just end up keeping it plugged into the car....but I hate wires!!!

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