GPSMAP 66i Charges Battery up to 99%

I purchased the 66i about 2 weeks ago. Since then, I've used and charged it about 6 times. 4 times out of 6, the charge reaches 99% and remains there regardless of how long its left charging (Usually over night)

I should add... Before proceeding to charge, I turn the back light to 0% then turn off the device so the only thing displayed is the battery logo with no backlight consumption.

This brings up another point. Why does the backlight remain at the setting left prior to turning off the device for charging? That's not very efficient. You want the least amount of battery drain while unit is charging.

Top Replies

All Replies

0 TonyKiwiGPS over 4 years ago

Same with the new unit I put on charge today, Has been on 99% for 3-4 hours.

+1 twolpert over 4 years ago

Have often wondered the same thing about the backlight. I charge with the unit off myself. OTOH, the unit charges pretty quickly even if you leave it on. Not sure how much difference it would make. For maximum charging speed, you do need to use a wall wart or USB port capable of delivering 2A.

I wouldn't worry too much about 99% vs. 100%. The battery profile in the f/w never exactly matches any given battery. Just my opinion, of course.

0 Beowolfs over 4 years ago in reply to twolpert

Twolpert,

Yeah, makes no sense for the unit to leave the back light on when charging, specially if you turned off the device.

I realize the difference is just 1% (close to nothing). However, after paying $650 for Garmin's top GPS, I expect it to work as well as all my other Garmin products.

The charger i'm using puts out 2.4 amps. It's also used to charge my iPad Pro.

I understand the 66i is a new model. Given enough time,Garmin will/should work out those bugs.

Thats why i post any issues (however small) for Garmin to be aware of and prepare a future fix.

Thanks for the quick response.

0 CowboySlim over 4 years ago in reply to Beowolfs

Check post by g66:

https://www.gpsrchive.com/GPSMAP/GPSMAP%2066/index.htm

0 atlas_cached over 4 years ago

Can lithium-ion batteries ever actually be charged to 100%?

0 TonyKiwiGPS over 4 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

Yes. Overnight the 66i went from 99% to 100%. Also the 3 x 276Cx units I'm also charging (they have a removable Li-ion battery pack) got to 100% as well. The 276Cx units have a dark screen when charging, no backlight.

0 Beowolfs over 4 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

I read an article which stated Lithium-ions are never charged to 100%, doing so will decrease considerably the life span of the battery. Therefore, the charging system is optimized to stop charging at say 90-95%. Since that is the stopping point, the software is told to show 100% at that level.

0 Beowolfs over 4 years ago in reply to TonyKiwiGPS

I left mine over night too. After checking it, it showed 99%

0 5412711 over 4 years ago

I had this 99% problem too. What basically fixed the issue was an anker power bank 10.000 mah that is fast charging my gps in about on hour. Now the battery shows 100% . I charged that too 100% with a power wall supply too. You might want to try this see if this works for you too.

0 Volker over 4 years ago

Seems to be no general prob, mine is loading up to 100%.