Portable iPhone Charger?

[Secondmouse]

when I'm on the trail I use my iPhone6 for everything - phone, camera, weather, GPS/topo maps, kindle reader, music, etc. I even answer a text now and then but try to avoid that...

I close apps when I'm done with them and put it in airplane mode when I can but as you can probably tell, my battery doesn't last too long so I need a good reliable way to recharge it.

I have a couple of little chargers and I can't get multiple charges out of one and the other won't even do one full recharge.

what's the charger with the best combination of low weight with enough capacity for a couple of recharges? any suggestions?..

[Turtle-2013]

The most commonly recommended on White Blaze seems to be Anker ... https://www.anker.com/products

But personally I'm a Goal Zero fan ... http://www.goalzero.com/

[poopsy]

hi,

my son just walked off with my anker astro e1 so I'm about to buy another off amazon. I get two charges per week off it at a weight of 4.2 oz. I don't use my phone for gps or kindle as I find location services and higher light levels suck my iphone dry too quickly. As it is I can usually go for a week. Lots of choices out there but this one is good. they used to have an led flashlight included but no more.

poopsy

[Wise Old Owl]

I agree with the above post - have you considered you hanged on to that phone too long? If its not holding a three day charge and is more than 2 years old trade it in.

[Secondmouse]

thanks for the replies everyone. Anker seems to be a favorite, I just need to figure out which model I need for the number of days I want to be out vs. the weight penalty.

I have a GoalZero Nomad 7 solar charger with Guide 10 battery pack but in the woods, direct, unfiltered sunlight is a little hard to come by. and it's heavy...

Wise Owl - it's possible my phone's battery is weak, I don't know. I just keep it plugged in whenever I'm in my office or car and it be what it be.

I travel alone quite a bit. I do like to listen to music during the day, and read my Kindle reader at night to fall asleep with. and I like to keep track of my location with topo maps as I move along. I even take a picture once in a while...

I was really happy a couple weeks ago on the Pinhoti trail to have weather radar as it showed me a pretty big storm moving in with heavy thunder and lightning, hail, and flash flood warnings. I heeded the advice (for once in my life) and bugged out a day early.

I can definitely reduce my reliance on my phone but right now, it's about right for me. a charger that can keep me running about 4 days (2-3 recharges) of normal use and not weigh a ton will be pretty worthwhile...

[Turtle-2013]

Followup ... I used the Guide 10 with extra batteries for several years ... it works great (leave the Nomad 7 at home when you are hiking most of the AT) .... but I upgraded to the Venture 30 last year. It is about the same weight/Wh as Anker --- although Anker seems to be s less and more power, not a direct comparison. I've been very pleased with the Venture .... good luck finding something that works well for you!!!!

[The Cleaner]

The GPS/location feature really drains an iphone battery,even more if your iphone is more than a year old.Knowing exactly where you are should be easy with any of the printed guide books.I started taking pictures of pages of the guide book for section hikes and you can access them in airplane mode.If you really need GPS info I'd get a GPS unit that uses AA lithium batteries.It's only a few ounces and will save your iphone battery.At this time of year on the southern end of the AT there should be hikers pretty close at some point every day.If you think you're lost,stop at the last white blaze you saw and wait.

[tflaris]

PowerGen 12500 is what I use for my Fennix 3 and my iPhone. I use the phone in Airplane mode and access trail apps while hiking.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ernie84]

I use a mophie external battery for longer trips (available for sale in the Apple Store). Its a bit expensive, but it can fully charge an iPhone 7-8 times.

[Secondmouse]

thanks for all the suggestions. I do keep my phone in airplane mode except for a couple times /day. and I'm not really using GPS much at all, I use a program called "Topo Maps" and I have preloaded the maps for the area I'll be in. I use it like a paper map with my compass.

I realize I don't need much for navigation on marked trails but I enjoy keeping track of my whereabouts this way. it's entertaining and educational and I only go to the GPS if I am truly confused about where I am.

so my quest is to figure out how much recharge capacity I really need and keep it as light as possible.

thanks for all the help...

[Viper2016]

Have you checked out an "Ampy." It's a kinetic charger/battery. While I've not had great success charging when just walking, it seems to do well on a brisk hike. It doesn't seem to provide a full charge to a completely drained Samsung 5, but if you're hiking miles daily it does maintain a certain battery level.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[capehiker]

Consider the all in one RAV Power 9000 that comes with built in lightning wire and wall plug. It made my list of favorite things of 2015. I'm not trying to shill my YouTube channel but I do explain it along with the specs. It's the first review in the video.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CkHn5gv_84

[Dys-feng shui-nal]

I have the Anker E3 10,000 mAH and it can top off my iPhone >6 times plus my nano too and last up to a week, which is great on the PCT. There are lots of ways to improve battery function on your iPhone besides airplane mode. If you take it out of airplane mode briefly to send a text and there are lots of apps and other processes trying to update or search for a signal, that'll eat a LOT of battery in a brief time. The following article is a great review of how to use your phone in the backcountry. Be sure to scroll down to the section on battery drain with different models of iPhones, and see how different carriers can impact battery drain.

http://www.adventurealan.com/iphone-gps-map-backpacking/

[Secondmouse]

Consider the all in one RAV Power 9000 that comes with built in lightning wire and wall plug. It made my list of favorite things of 2015. I'm not trying to shill my YouTube channel but I do explain it along with the specs. It's the first review in the video.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CkHn5gv_84

good stuff. thanks...

[Secondmouse]

I have the Anker E3 10,000 mAH and it can top off my iPhone >6 times plus my nano too and last up to a week, which is great on the PCT. There are lots of ways to improve battery function on your iPhone besides airplane mode. If you take it out of airplane mode briefly to send a text and there are lots of apps and other processes trying to update or search for a signal, that'll eat a LOT of battery in a brief time. The following article is a great review of how to use your phone in the backcountry. Be sure to scroll down to the section on battery drain with different models of iPhones, and see how different carriers can impact battery drain.

http://www.adventurealan.com/iphone-gps-map-backpacking/

that's an excellent article. thank you!..

[Secondmouse]

Consider the all in one RAV Power 9000 that comes with built in lightning wire and wall plug...

wait... I can't find one that does apple...

the link on their site takes you to Amazon and it states does NOT come with lightning adapter. where did you get yours?..

[gbolt]

Similar discussion occurring on Hammockforums.net, so putting my info here as well. I was going with the Anker but decided on the RavPower 10,400mAh because of a better price and no real weight penalty. Many have claimed that is maybe overkill for minor recharging needs; but it looks like the OP's phone is a multiple use item. Here is my YouTube Review:

https://youtu.be/RQ1vskxq-kU

Hope you find what you need. :sun

[capehiker]

wait... I can't find one that does apple...

the link on their site takes you to Amazon and it states does NOT come with lightning adapter. where did you get yours?..

direct link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q2B5KY2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

[Secondmouse]

direct link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q2B5KY2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

gosh. thanks... :o

[Secondmouse]

Similar discussion occurring on Hammockforums.net, so putting my info here as well. I was going with the Anker but decided on the RavPower 10,400mAh because of a better price and no real weight penalty. Many have claimed that is maybe overkill for minor recharging needs; but it looks like the OP's phone is a multiple use item. Here is my YouTube Review:

https://youtu.be/RQ1vskxq-kU

Hope you find what you need. :sun

thanks. good video...

[Another Kevin]

I have a 14000 mAh waterproof pack from New Trent, that I don't think is being made any more. I'm often Out There map-making, and on those trips I'm running GPS to record track logs pretty much whenever I'm in motion. I find that my Samsung phone will last a day's hiking if I turn off all the nonessential features (especially, running it in "airplane mode") and don't use the screen too much (the backlight is also a battery hog). The 14000 mAh pack has let me be out there for six days at a crack running that way.

This device is by far my heaviest 'luxury item,' but it fuels part of what I'm out there to do.

For me, it was worth springing for a waterproof one. Don't bother about the ones with solar cells, the solar cells don't really generate enough to keep you running. I just recharge in town.

[Gambit McCrae]

I use the mophie XL 12000 MaH and get 6 charges on my iphone 6plus

[GreenBlaze]

Just get this Anker. It's great and works as advertised. 10,000 positive reviews with 1000 answered questions. Hard to argue its value at $21.99.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009USAJCC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

[Another Kevin]

Just get this Anker. It's great and works as advertised. 10,000 positive reviews with 1000 answered questions. Hard to argue its value at $21.99.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009USAJCC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

That's great - seriously, that's about the right specs and price - if you don't care about waterproof, and you don't use GPS as much as I do (or resupply oftener). I've fallen in a river with my devices in my pockets and pack, so I'm willing to pay a bit more in both cost and weight to have ones that will stand up to some punishment.

I'm not the typical hiker there, though. I actually do collect GPS tracks for the folks that make the trail maps. That's not exactly a usual usage pattern. My biggest single project was http://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/4286650#map=9/43.7423/-74.3074 - which also turns up at http://hiking.waymarkedtrails.org/en/relation/4286650 and gets to a bunch of places from there, and the accompanying narrative at http://www.nptrail.org/?page_id=59 . But I've done a bunch of smaller ones, such as the trails in and around http://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/4836454#map=14/42.5244/-74.1413&layers=C and in the little preserves all along the escarpment there. If you see mapped trails on that site in any of those preserves, I'm probably the guy that mapped them. I also did a lot of bits and pieces elsewhere, such as http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/277716525#map=14/42.3530/-74.3305&layers=C and http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/239570596#map=14/42.2735/-74.1364&layers=C (my tracks, with details edited by other people). That sort of stuff uses a lot of juice, and I'm less than kind to the devices.

[jshannon]

Currently using http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EF1OGOG

[Mudsock]

My Ravpower 16,000 mAH is a bit heavy at 11+ Oz. Yet, it will recharge an Iphone 6 Plus multiple times, plus charge an InReach device simultaneously - dual outlets. I just picked up a Ravpower 6700 mAH to save 6 ounces. It has only one USB outlet and is available for $15.95 on Amazon. The Anker unit is excellent, probably a slight bit better in user satisfaction, but $6 more expensive for the came capability. I think they are just about equivalent brands.

[Mudsock]

Be aware that not all of these portable battery chargers have a 2.1A charging capability that the hungrier tablets, phones, etc. need. Look for the smart ones that determine the charging needs of the unit drawing current.

[gbolt]

Mudsock makes a great point. Smart Technology is a key feature. I went with the RavPower 10,400mAh. 9oz and at one point $14.95 on Amazon. Search GBolt on the Trail or RavPower on YouTube if you want to see a box opening vid. Posted it too many times on other threads but hey, if it helps, go for it.

[GreenBlaze]

That's great - seriously, that's about the right specs and price - if you don't care about waterproof, and you don't use GPS as much as I do (or resupply oftener). I've fallen in a river with my devices in my pockets and pack, so I'm willing to pay a bit more in both cost and weight to have ones that will stand up to some punishment.

I'm not the typical hiker there, though. I actually do collect GPS tracks for the folks that make the trail maps. That's not exactly a usual usage pattern. My biggest single project was http://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/4286650#map=9/43.7423/-74.3074 - which also turns up at http://hiking.waymarkedtrails.org/en/relation/4286650 and gets to a bunch of places from there, and the accompanying narrative at http://www.nptrail.org/?page_id=59 . But I've done a bunch of smaller ones, such as the trails in and around http://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/4836454#map=14/42.5244/-74.1413&layers=C and in the little preserves all along the escarpment there. If you see mapped trails on that site in any of those preserves, I'm probably the guy that mapped them. I also did a lot of bits and pieces elsewhere, such as http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/277716525#map=14/42.3530/-74.3305&layers=C and http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/239570596#map=14/42.2735/-74.1364&layers=C (my tracks, with details edited by other people). That sort of stuff uses a lot of juice, and I'm less than kind to the devices.

You're certainly doing more than the average Joe. My response was to the OP (who appears to be looking for a solid battery), and was intended to point him in a failsafe direction. My iPhone 6S+ can be charged 5-6 times with that battery. I also use a lot of GPS functionality, although I am not a backcountry geomapper.

I always keep electronics in a dry bag, not a ziploc (lol) like I've seen some folks mention. At $21.99.. buy two. Cheap to replace. The "IQ" charger and two ports is also useful, and it outputs up to 3 amps depending on what device it's charging. More juice can be had with its big brother at 20k mah for $40.

[mortonjl]

Anker, tried the goal zero and had problems keeping it going.