Portable battery packs for iPhone

[quicky]

Hi all

Just gathering some more info, and would like to hear from you if you can help please.
Gearing up for a longer-term trial using my iPhone for everything, and see how I feel after another 6 months or so. Usage will include camera, music, GPS (not tracking), for week long hikes or more etc.

In a word (or three)...
1. Which portable battery packs do you prefer for charging your smartphones?
2. Also, what mAh is your charger, and how many charges do you get out of it (roughly...without getting into too much detail about variables and influencing factors etc.)?

I have been trying to track down Anker chargers, but they only seem to sell on Amazon, and do not ship to Aussie addresses (or at least this is what I am finding). So I'm a little stuck, and will also look at locally provided alternatives that have as equally good reputation.

Any advice?

Cheers
Jase

[KANANGRABOYD]

I have a 75 Watt Hr, Universal Battery Pack that can be used from 5V USB devices, thru to 19VDC. It is a Chinese made pack, but I bought it here in Oz. Bixpower market one with their own "branding" on it. I charge my Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and Galaxy Tab, Ipod Nano ( for music ), USB mini speaker, and occassionally 4 x AAA's NiMh for one charge. I also can charge my Iridium Extreme Sat Phone if needed when I use it. Weekly usage ( I usually go on 7 day hikes ) - recharge galaxy Tab x 2+, Galaxy Note 2 x 4-5, Nano x 3, speaker 5+. I also carry a Powerfilm 30 Watt panel to recharge the pack if needed.
I spent a LONG time researching battery packs before getting the above. It is superb. Comes with most plugs.
I usually watch an average of 3 movies a night ( I usually hike solo and so am bored as soon as it gets dark!), play games on the Tab as well as movies, and mainly movies on the Note 2. I also use a small LED strip light that is 9VDC and 4 W.
I would probably look at something in the 50+ Watt Hr range.
Cheers.

[highercountry]

Have a look at this stuff;

https://powertraveller.com/iwantsome/primatepower/

I can vouch for the quality and durability of this gear. I've had the Minigorilla for a couple of years now. I use it on bicycle tours. Charge it up from a wheel hub dynamo and recharge all sorts of gadgets but not an iPhone. There should be something in their range to suit your needs.

[KANANGRABOYD]

Quicky,
My pack is very similar to the PowerGorilla.
If you can, try and get the specs for the pack in Watt Hrs, rather than mAh, it generally gives you a better idea of the capacity.
Here's a link:http://www.rapidtables.com/convert/electric/mah-to-wh.htm

[andrewa]

So, Kanangraboyd, your choice sounds great....but where do you get one? The great bit about forums is the sharing of information. I'm missing the vital link here!

Andrew A

[quicky]

Quicky,
My pack is very similar to the PowerGorilla.
If you can, try and get the specs for the pack in Watt Hrs, rather than mAh, it generally gives you a better idea of the capacity.
Here's a link:http://www.rapidtables.com/convert/electric/mah-to-wh.htm

Thanks!
I got so used to comparing products in mAh's, I now have no idea how Watt Hrs gives a better idea of capacity. I have a mate who is an electrician, and every time he explains stuff, it disappears out the other ear just as quick. Would you mind explaining please? Also, do you have a website link to their products please?

@ Highercountry
Thanks for your help also. I have looked at Powertraveller before, and like the look of their stuff (edit here). Their products look and sound impressive.

Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

[KANANGRABOYD]

Hi guys,
Sorry for delayed reply.
Here is link to my pack.
http://www.global-batteries.com.au/external-batteries-cPath-10-products_id-5877.html
Bixpower.com make an exact same model in looks but also one in 90 Wh.
It has worked great, and used with solar panel is awesome for long trips and well worth the added weight

[magichat]

Hi guys,
Sorry for delayed reply.
Here is link to my pack.
http://www.global-batteries.com.au/external-batteries-cPath-10-products_id-5877.html
Bixpower.com make an exact same model in looks but also one in 90 Wh.
It has worked great, and used with solar panel is awesome for long trips and well worth the added weight

thanks for sharing, been on the lookout for something like this.

One thing, that one is 1.5kg!

This one is 600g and is 90wh:

http://www.bixpower.com/15V-Battery-Pac ... t-ap90.htm

Is there something I'm missing?
I'm mostly looking for powering Samsung Note2 and/or iPad.

[quicky]

Cheers for those links.
I had a good look at the website...some great stuff there!
I decided to go with Anker...I found their online eBay store, and ordered this...
http://www.ianker.com/anker-astro-external-battery-backup-charger/product/79UN53V1-B8P56A
I only really want about 2 charges of my iPhone from it to start with. Plus, it only cost $30. It is very small, and weighs about 235grams. Anker have a great reputation as well.
That's a good start.

[KANANGRABOYD]

Magichat,
They must of made a mistake, as I just weighed mine (75whr), and it is 622gms.
For some reason I can't attach a pic of me weighing it, says it is invalid????
Another good place to look at is thebatterygeeks, they make some of the higher capacity packs over 100 Whr if you want something bigger. Also, powerenz make some really nice, extremely well made and light solar panels that can recharge packs out on the trail. If you need more info let me know.
Cheers

[radson]

http://www.mophie.com/Default.asp

I like the mophie as it fits so well over my iphone. For charging I generally use Goal0 products.

[magichat]

Magichat,
They must of made a mistake, as I just weighed mine (75whr), and it is 622gms.
For some reason I can't attach a pic of me weighing it, says it is invalid????
Another good place to look at is thebatterygeeks, they make some of the higher capacity packs over 100 Whr if you want something bigger. Also, powerenz make some really nice, extremely well made and light solar panels that can recharge packs out on the trail. If you need more info let me know.
Cheers

lol thanks for checking that makes more sense!
I have a small panasonic charger that will charge my note2 1+ times. Maybe coupling that with a good solar panel is the way to start. Which one do you use? And how long does it take to charge the pack? It would be cool if that lightest 4w jobby at powerenz was up for the job it looks like it could be run during the day on the back of the pack while walking.

[photonaturally]

I use a unit called powerbank that I got from ebay. it is 20,000 mAh (but who really know?)
It is 325g. You can get 15,000 or 10,000 mah. I chose 20,000 mAh because it make me feel tough and I can spare a few charges with friends if need.

It gives me at least 4 full charges from my Galaxy S3

It cost me a grand price of $27 including postage. I really broke the bank for this.

If you want the link for the guys I purchased it from, just pm me.

[roysta]

Try this little number.
uNu Enerpak Vault Dual USB 2.1A Universal Battery Pack for Smartphones and Tablets
weighs 265g and packs plenty.

[Onestepmore]

isound Power Max Travel Pack 16,000 mAh (60Wh) battery. it's got 5 USB ports to charge other devices, and I can attach a small AA/AAA charger to this to boost up rechargeable batteries. It can recharge phone, GPS, my steripen, mini phone speakers etc. (http://www.isound.net) It is recharged by 240V plug (I have to use an adaptor as mine has a UK plug), 12V plug from car ciggie lighter, or from a USB port on a computer or other charger.

Solarmonkey Adventurer solar charger from http://www.powertraveller.com- I've not needed to use it for more than one charge of the phone so far (I don't go on long remote trips) - but the blurb on the box says it will do an ipad 25%, iphone/smartphone 1 - 2 times, mobile phone 2 - 3 times and GPS 1-3 times so they are pretty vague. This is from a charged up unit - obviously if you have it set up to recharge itself via the sun you'll get ongoing recharges.

I should use these more so my son can watch a movie at night - he gets a bored in the dark in a tent at times and a movie or some games would be great

That smaller Anker one you've bought looks good Quicky

I stil want a small solar charger to charge 2x AA batteries that I can clip on my pack or whatever

[KANANGRABOYD]

Onestep,
Have a look at some of the PV panels from Powerenz.com.
The thing with PV panels and weight etc is the efficiency. The thin film panels ( like Iowa Thin Film aka Powerfilm ), Brunton et al is that although very thin and light and roll up, is that they are not very efficient. They are mostly Amorphous Silicone. The Monochrystalline panles are the best, bust usually heavier, bulky etc. Despite what the product marketing suggests, to continuously provide uninterrupted current from panel on a pack to device is difficult. If you peruse Alibaba, there are a few Chinese manufacturers, that sell a million PV panels - in actual fact they basically provide to the majority of the market, and businesses just rebrand etc and say they make it themselves. I would think a 10 Watt Panel should be able to provide you with what you want. Another place to look ( good just for info too ) is a Canadian site called Modern Outpost.
Hope this helps,
KB

[KANANGRABOYD]

Sorry Magichat!,
Here is a link to what I mainly use. http://www.powerenz.com/store/index.php ... ductId=268
I also have a 120 Watt foldable Panel, plus a Powerfilm R-28. Here is a pic of it "deployed" near Blue Lake in Kosci

SS2KOSI2.jpg (340.18 KiB) Viewed 8817 times

[Nuts]

Quote OSM:
"I stil want a small solar charger to charge 2x AA batteries that I can clip on my pack or whatever"

Suntrica strap gives abt a half an eyephone charge on a good day (all in one and weighs nothing)


I'd consider a 12v battery and whatever chargers for items needed if you want big power for more than a phone.
These (.5kg) are good value: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MINATURE-BAT ... 43b8df6c6f