I bought a Medion GPS navigator just shy of two decades ago. Back then, when paper roadmaps were still a thing, and smart-phones as we've come to know them, still a dream, dashboard navigators were regarded as the ultimate in chic for the in-touch motorist - to my mind anyway!
The navigation software it came with was functional, but it wasn't long before I found a 'hacked' version of a much more capable application online - whose name escapes me at the moment, more on that, later. Not only did the flash-image file I found, contain new navigation software, it also contained dozens of other s/w applications, so much so that you are left wondering how so much could be crammed onto such a puny device.
Fast-forward a decade or so. While driving, the unit had become unusable without being plugged into the cigarette lighter, as it would power off after just a few minutes. This also meant it was completely useless as an aid while walking, something I often used to advantage. Sourcing a new battery proved easy, even though the batteries themself are 'custom items', coming complete with an attached power lead, that sported one of the smaller PCB connectors. This meant that (if memory serves!) while not expensive, it wasn't cheap either. But it worked, which was all that mattered.
However, time had moved on, and it wasn't long after that I got my very first proper 'smart-phone', complete with all the bells-and-whistles, and that included GPS navigation. As a result, the Medion Navigator has been gathering dust for the last 6-7 years.
I came across it recently, and feeling nostalgic, set it up in the car - only to find that it no longer worked! It had all the signs of a failing battery. It wouldn't take a charge via its mini-USB connector. However, I found that when I removed the battery from the unit, and charged it 'manually', from my power supply, it charged normally. What does not work, sometimes, or not at all, is the touch-screen! Charge the battery 'externally', plug it into the navigator, switch it on, and the touch-screen is fine. Play with it for while, and after about 30 minutes the touch-screen starts to malfunction again. Right now, it's not working at all, and the reason I'm not listing the upgraded navigation software.
So, although the Navigator seems to be on its last legs, I discovered something unexpected while charging the, now quite old, battery. As can be seen, the battery is rated at 750mAh capacity. But when I charge it to capacity and discharge it on an electronic load, to measure its capacity, I find that the battery provides significantly more than 750mAh.
Charging to 4.2V @ 300mA;
Discharging @ 100mA => Measured Capacity = 1087mAh
Discharging @ 150mA => Measured Capacity = 1047mAh
Discharging @ 200mA => Measured Capacity = 1061mAh
Frankly, this surprised me. That's 25% more capacity than is advertised. And while the battery is not the problem here, a quick check online shows that Amazon is still selling these batteries, so at least others, feeling nostalgic, may have the means of coaxing a few more years out of these old navigators.
