Looking for a battery pack (not a solar charger) to keep my phone and camera charged. Any recommendations?
Printable View
Looking for a battery pack (not a solar charger) to keep my phone and camera charged. Any recommendations?
I use the Radio Shack ones. The 4000mAh (4.4 oz w/ cord) gives me juice for phone/camera/iPod for about 2-3 days of heavy use (using GPS, track recording, etc). The 6000mAh (6.1 oz w/ cord) lasted 4 days with heavy use.
I remember paying about $30 for the small one and $45 for the larger one. The 4000 came with a multi-device cord (old iPod/Iphone connector, new Apple Lightning connector, mini USB, micro USB, and a DC female connector) The 6000 has dual outputs, if that's something you need.
There may be a better deal online with some other brands, but at the times I needed them I couldn't wait for shipping.
Here's the one I use, no complaints with it, and at the current amazon sale price, that's about 10 dollars cheaper than I paid. It has ample power for my needs, and then some, check out there whole line though, you will likely find one that fits your needs as well.
http://www.ianker.com/product/79AN7917-BA
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B009USAJCC
Ooops, forgot, I bought the high output changer for it, it's like 1 1/2 to 2 ampers per hour, if memory serves it takes me about 6 1/2 hours to fully charge the battery from AC and my devises (ipod, none smart phone, radio, and various lamps ) charge pretty quick, couple hours. But I think they have ones out now that are even faster.
Found the charger I use.
http://www.amazon.com/Generation-Sli...xgy_cps_text_y
I use the Anker 15000 mAh (11.2 oz) which will fully charge my S4 four times. $49 on Amazon.
You need to ask yourself how many days you want to go in between recharging the battery pack. Then figure 2000 mAh per charge on a typical smart phone or camera.
I used a NewTrent 5200mAh pack, good for 3 charges. But it weighs 4.8 oz. I decided to try an Anker Astro mini, the lipstick sized 3000mAh pack, which should give 1.5 - 2 charges, and that weighs just 2.8 oz, good for 4 days.
Rocket Socks nailed it... I just bought that Anker. - its Awesome
If you are hiking in the east, forget the solar charger and stick with a battery pack. They're ok for the west where you get more sun.
Sorry Deacon - have you tested that theory? Stuff changes over time....
It'd help to know if you have a preference for lower cost or lower weight and to know how much capacity you want.
So, a batt backup is a better choice than a solar collector? I'd think there'd be ample clearance for direct sun collection
Another vote for the Anker, here. I have the Anker Astro 15000mh. Weighs a ton (12oz) but it will keep my phone fully charged for a week and since I use it as my camera, email device, etc., it's totally worth its weight to me. And for $49, you can't really go wrong.
If it was cost, you could check out the battery recycle bins for used laptop batteries and put those in a battery case like this. If capacity was your preference, then you'd pay a lot for these batteries or find a battery pack with lithium polymer cells inside.
Since you may upgrade your phone, you can use that opportunity to have what I feel is the best option. Get a phone with swappable batteries and carry spare internal batteries. If you want to be able to use your phone in town while a battery is charging, then carry an external battery charger. If you really want to save weight and have faster charging, you could build yourself a smaller/lighter cradle that uses a 1A charger instead of the 0.5A chargers that are usually in those external battery chargers.
I have 2 x 15000 mAh ones from anker. http://www.ianker.com/product/79AN7905-BA I will be using both for a 28 day walk in Nov/Dec where I can only recharge mid way. So 14 days out of them. Recharging my S5, inreach, Olympus TG3 and garmin 650. I use them a lot here, Australia, as most longer walks don't have regular places to recharge and I hate carrying a pack full of batteries. All my electronic equipment has been bought with recharging from these batteries in mind. Bonus is they have a readout of remaining power.
...and if your wanting to save even more weight, and your power requirements are such that you don't need but a little...give this one a shot. I've had good results with it.
http://www.rayovac.com/Products/Port...er-Bundle.aspx