GPS Charging Question

Posted by Lamont (Corsicana, Texas, USA) on 04/19/09 07:10 PM

I would like a backup method for re-charging my auto GPS unit (away from the vehicle), and Garmin offers two options:

1) AC Charger - "Charge your nüvi when you’re out of your car and near an outlet". From the photo, it appears that one end of the cord goes into a wall outlet, the other end goes into the GPS.
http://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1344

2) AC to 12V power adapter - "Plug your unit's cigarette lighter adapter into this charger's standard 12-volt cigarette lighter receptacle. Then plug the charger into a wall outlet to charge your unit". From the photo, it appears that one end of the cord goes into a wall outlet, the other end receives the supplied 12-volt vehicle cable, which in turn goes into the GPS (results in two cables strung together).
http://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=11190

Should I consider one of these over the other?

Posted by GByron

Olympia, WA, USA

04/19/09 07:21 PM

18 posts

Lamont:
I have no experience in Europe, but either system works well in the USA. I have a Garmin GPS and have both types of chargers. If you are going to be travelling by car a lot, the 12V charger works just fine. I usually keep it plugged in when I'm driving. If you are planning to stay in one place or be out of a carfor an extended time, then the AC charger would be useful. I don't usually keep my GPS on all the time--only when I am getting close to where my destination is. So the battery lasts a fair amount of time.

Posted by GByron

Olympia, WA, USA

04/19/09 07:27 PM

18 posts

I think I missed your point with my first response. The only differnece I see is that with the the two cable affair, you need two cables anyway. So I would be inclined to have a 12V charger and an AC charger. You should check, but I think the Garmin charger will automatically convert from 110V to 220V.

PS Am I wrong in thinking that some cars in Europe still operate on 6V systems?

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

04/19/09 08:05 PM

32352 posts

Lamont,

Based on your description, the AC Charger appears to be the standard model supplied with Nuvi GPS units. It would be a good idea to verify that it's designed to operate on 100-240 VAC electrical systems. If that's the case, you'll only need to use an inexpensive Plug Adapter to connect to outlets in Europe.

Your descripion of the "AC to 12V power adapter" was a bit confusing, as that differs from the devices that were supplied with my Nuvi 370. For automotive use, an Adapter was supplied that plugs into a the vehicle cigarette lighter and then into the GPS unit. I'm not sure what the "two cable" charger is? Do you know of a web link that has a photo of that?

I'd definitely pack the AC Charger along, and if you're going to be doing any driving take the 12V. one as well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Posted by Lamont OP

Corsicana, Texas, USA

04/19/09 08:17 PM

354 posts

I've edited the original post to include links to the Garmin website, as requested. Thanks.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

04/19/09 08:52 PM

32352 posts

Lamont,

The first Charger should definitely be packed, along with the supplied Plug Adapters. This appears to be designed for international operation, so will work just fine in Europe (I'd probably double-check the input voltage spec's, but I'm sure it will be fine).

I'm not sure why anyone would need the second Charger that you mentioned? It basically provides the same function as the first, but is a bit more cumbersome to use.

My suggestion would be to pack the AC Charger along with the Cigarette Lighter Plug/Charger and the windshield mount bracket that should have been supplied with the GPS unit.

Cheers!