[aprssig] Wanted: small battery powered non-display GPS

[Stephen H. Smith]

Chris Kantarjiev wrote:
> Thanks. I know about the 201, and I'd really like to spend less than 
> that. All I'm after is a GPS input for the D7; if I want a display, 
> I'll use my eTrex.
>
> chris


It's extremely unlikely you will find what you are asking for since 
faceless devices, almost by definition, are used with external devices 
(and therefore with external power sources).  The self-contained 
battery-powered devices are intended for stand-alone operation, and 
therefor have local displays.    

The Foretrex is very similar functionally to the eTrex (I think it 
actually uses essentially the same firmware and displays), but it is 
much smaller and lighter than the eTrex which is why I suggested it. 

I suppose you could screw or Velcro a Garmin GPS18 or similar to the top 
of a 4-cell AA battery box and then place 4 MNiH rechargeable AA cells 
in it.  4 x 1.25 VDC per cell would produce 5.0 VDC which would be a 
direct match for the GPS-18 without inefficient regulators.    The GPS18 
only draws about 80-100 mA once it boots and locks so 2000-2500 mAH AA 
cells should easily power the device for 10-15 hours at a time.   [Don't 
try this with normal non-rechargeable alkalines since you would be 
producing 4 x 1.5 VDC for a total of 6VDC or higher out!]





--

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