A reliable GPS is essential for road trips and backcountry exploration alike. However, over time, internal Lithium-ion batteries lose their ability to hold a charge. Because manufacturers like Garmin and TomTom use hundreds of proprietary battery shapes, finding the exact match is critical. This guide breaks down compatibility for the industry\u2019s leading brands.<\/p>\n
Choosing the wrong battery for your navigation device isn’t just about it not fitting\u2014it\u2019s a performance and safety issue.<\/p>\n
An incompatible battery can cause your GPS to “boot loop” (constantly restart) or fail to acquire a satellite signal due to insufficient voltage. In extreme cases, a mismatched connector can short-circuit the motherboard.<\/p>\n
While most GPS batteries operate at 3.7V, the physical connectors vary wildly. Some use 2-pin, 3-pin, or even 5-pin JST-style plugs. Using a 2-pin battery on a 3-pin device may disable the “charging” indicator or temperature sensor.<\/p>\n
GPS units are often mounted on windshields under direct sunlight. A low-quality or incompatible battery is more prone to swelling or leaking under high-heat conditions, posing a fire risk to your vehicle.<\/p>\n
If you can open your device, look for a Part Number (P\/N). For Garmin, these usually look like 361-00019-11<\/b>. For TomTom, look for codes like AHL03713000<\/b>.<\/p>\n2. Identify by GPS device series<\/h3>\n
Check the bottom or back of the GPS casing for the model name (e.g., Garmin Nuvi 2597LMT<\/b> or TomTom GO 520<\/b>). Note that “LMT” or “S” suffixes often don’t change the battery type, but the series number does.<\/p>\n
\nGarmin GPS Battery Compatibility Chart<\/h2>\n
Garmin has one of the largest ecosystems of battery types. Below are the most common matches:<\/p>\n
| Series<\/th>\n | Common Models<\/th>\n | Common Battery P\/N<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nuvi Series<\/strong><\/td>\n| 200, 300, 1300, 1400, 2400<\/td>\n | 361-00019-11 \/ 361-00051-02<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Drive Series<\/strong><\/td>\n | Drive 50, DriveSmart 61, DriveAssist<\/td>\n | 361-00056-00 \/ 361-00056-50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Outdoor Series<\/strong><\/td>\n | Montana 600, 650, 700 \/ Oregon \/ eTrex<\/td>\n | 010-11654-03 (Lithium Pack)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Zumo Series<\/strong><\/td>\n | 390, 395, 590, 595 (Motorcycle)<\/td>\n | 361-00059-00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | \n TomTom GPS Battery Compatibility Chart<\/h2>\nTomTom batteries are often thinner and use specialized flat-ribbon or 3-wire connectors.<\/p>\n
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