I think your 12xl is from around the same era as my 2+. I've used gps for years now. I don't even know where I am without it, probably wouldn't be able to find my way home.

Here's some links for those hybrid or pre-charged (they go by different names) rechargeable batteries. They're great.

http://thomasdistributing.com/

http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/d....html?SP_id=75

http://www.thomasdistributingshop.co..._208-1021.html

These are US links and you're in the UK, right? - but it will give you the idea.