Satmap battery indicator & operating durations v 1.400

[ElCapitan]

One of the changes listed on Satmap’s software Version 1.400 update page concerns the battery indicator which “has been improved to show more accurate power metering for Lithium batteries as well as showing when it is fully charged.”

I have been conducting some battery indicator trials with my Active A10 in the house to make the results comparable. Figures quoted below are averages over several tests for each of the 2 battery types.

Hopefully the results will help prevent people from getting caught out by an unexpected shortage of power. In terms of hours of use in the field rather than percentages, please refer to my posting on this Forum "Satmap power options review – July 2009" which gives examples of how long users have managed to get from different types of fully charged batteries.

Settings used during the tests:
Screen off after 30 seconds.
Energy saving – GPS screen updates every 4 seconds.
Backlight – 70%.
I checked the unit hourly, then every 15 minutes towards the end of each test.

Key points:
Using Energizer 2500 mAh NiMH AA cells, when 3 bars appear the unit only has about 35% of its operating time left before it automatically shuts down, assuming that the user continues to use it in the same way since first switched on.
When 2 bars appear, about 28% of its operating time remains.
When 1 bar appears, about 13% of its operating time remains.

Using the Satmap Li-Pol battery (high capacity, not the new slim one), when 3 bars appear the unit merely has about 6% of its operating time left.
When 2 bars appear, about 3% of its operating time remains.
When 1 bar appears, about 2% of its operating time remains.
When recharging from the mains, turn the Satmap off and leave it on charge for 9 to 10 hours to get a slightly higher charge.
The lightning flash does not disappear when the battery is fully charged.

With regards,
Tim

[4ndynorfolk]

Thanks for your hard work Tim.

Just goes to show how ueless the current indicator is.

As I suggested in the wishlist thread, a simple percentage figure would be much more useful. That system works very well on my PDA, though that only has one battery option.

[rothers]

I find the same thing, new battery level indicator is useless with the LiPol battery. Stays for ages on 4 bars but once on 3 bars it's minutes before completely flat. Also lightning indicator never goes out even when fully charged.

[themib]

Li-Poly discharge curve is very flat, so the indcators are a result of the technology, not the Satmap

[satmapian]

Cheers Tim - very useful to know.

[djhpk]

rothers said

[RavingDave]

Had the same issue with disposable Energizer Lithium AA batteries. Set off with indicator showing fully charge, then an hour later went directly to 1 red bar before switching off a couple of minutes later.

Think I'll stick with my Ni-MH re-chargeables which at least count down the battery indicator bars over a reasonable timescale. I'll also remember to take a spare set!

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