Battery extension recommendations for walking

[hornist]

I currently have TomTom Navigator 2 running on an iPAQ 5550 with the TomTom Bluetooth GPS. In-car this is fine.

I'm considering using it for walking with, say, MemoryMap or some other suitable software. I'm aware that iPAQ battery life is going to be an issue, and wondered if anyone had recommendations for a neat and portable way of extending the battery life. Possible options seem to be:
- a home made battery pack using a cut-up i-PAQ power lead
- PC Mobile battery extender (see reviews)
- one of the CF sleeves that also has extra battery
- or any other products anyone cares to recommend

Consideration might need to be given to how I will waterproof the iPAQ, which is likely to involve either an Otter box or an Aquapac waterproof pouch.

Ideally I'd like something that can be fixed to/with the iPAQ and give a combined power life of about 6 hours, rather than having to stop every 2 hours and do a recharge. In other words I want to switch everything on at the start of the walk and then just walk!

Does anyone have a good setup for walking which they could recommend?

Thanks,
Paul

[lbendlin]

It may sound a bit pathetic given your weather conditions but I am successfully using a solar panel while on the bicycle.

Anyhow, there are some battery packs out there but in my experience nothing can yet beat a quad set of alkaline AA batteries. So if you get a battery extender, make sure it uses standard cells and delivers solid 5 Volts or more (rechargeables work so-so but they only give 4.8 volts peak)
_________________
Lutz

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[MikeB]

Paul,

I have found that with my 5450 the internal battery can last in excess of 4 hours.

The key to battery life is being frugal with the backlight. Keep it off wherever possible, it is often possible to red the screen with it off. If you have to use it then have it set to the minimum possible to see the screen.

What I normally do is take the PC-Mobile battery extender with me and then recharge when I stop for a break. This seems to give me sufficient power for a whole day out. As the PC-Mobile battery extender is only about £10 you would find it difficult to make one that cheap.

Your other options such as using a sleeve with a battery will only charge the main battery whilst the PDA is switched off, otherwise it powers the sleeve functions.

If you want a waterproof solution, then the Otterbox (2600) is really good. I have used it in the lake district when it has been pouring down all day and everything stayed bone dry inside. Make sure that you buy the version with the inserts for the 38/39/54 series PDAs as this will give you better control through the window.
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Mike Barrett

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