wrote:
So my Garmin Pilot III is complaining to me that the internal battery
has stopped functioning (hats off to it) and it's time to look for
another portable.

A bit of Googling shows http://forums.gpscity.com/showthread.php?p=11088 .
Digi-Key currently lists three variations on that battery; all of them
sell for less than $2 in quantity 1. Unfortunately Digi-Key has a $5
surcharge on orders under $25, plus you'll pay a few bucks shipping -
maybe $12 total. Mouser only has one variety, also for just under $2,
but they don't have the surcharge on small orders - maybe $7 total.
Radio Shack does not have this battery. A local electronics distributor
_might_ have this battery.

If you're not sure which end of a soldering iron to hold, you might
inquire at local TV/VCR repair shops to see if they would be willing to
swap the battery for you.

The link above also mentions having Garmin change the battery; have you
checked with Garmin to see if they will still service this model?

I also realize that you may have some money burning a hole in your
pocket. If you buy a new GPS, then fix the old one, you've got
a second one for the copilot's yoke, or for in the car, or whatever.
Or, if you can fix the Pilot III successfully, you've got some time to
compare new models and maybe wait for a deal.

Matt Roberds