[Tfug] OT: Batteries

[Bexley Hall]

Happy Tday!

> Without having more of an idea of the
> unit's purpose and price point, be prepared to discuss the
> philosophy of battery applications ad infinitum. Not sure
> how non-specific talk will be of any use.

Yes.  The point is to see *how* people think about batteries, etc.
Getting a *specific* answer to a *specific* question gives you
exactly that (i.e., an answer to *a* question) -- nothing more!

OTOH, listening to how people approach an issue gives you
information that you can later use to formulate answers
to unasked questions.

> Having said that, if there is a proprietary battery for
> which there are spares readily available, this could be
> could tolerated. For example, my Holux GPS receiver uses a
> rechargeable battery that was originally intended for some
> other device. (a cell phone or something like that...

But, what is your attitude towards that device's
"dependance" on this "unique" battery?  I.e., is the battery
*becoming* generic (e.g., coin cells were "unique" originally
but are now commonplace)?  Is the original device for which
the battery was "designed" still available commercially?
(i.e., is your receiver the only thing keeping that type
of battery in circulation?).

I find proprietary batteries a real nuisance as the battery
never outlives the useful life of the device that it services.
(in the case of a GPS receiver, you could argue that it has a
limited lifespan as the data on which it relies -- maps -- may
cease to be maintained at some time in the future.  OTOH, if
the device was something like a *flashlight* its useful life
would be virtually limitless)