External battery pack - Anyone use one?

Hunders · 30 Apr 2013 at 15:35

Hi guys,

Does anybody here have any experience with external battery packs to use to recharge a phone? I'm looking at getting one for those situations when you are out and about and your phone is running out of power when you really don't want it to be doing so.

Any decent ones out there that I should look into buying?

kevpuk · 30 Apr 2013 at 15:44

I have one that is more aimed at multi devices, including PS Vita (which makes things trickier!).....anker 10000mah one, from rainforest, and it is a really useful device. That said, perhaps a little overkill *just* for phone recharges?

Hunders · 30 Apr 2013 at 15:48

Yeah 10,000mAh is probably a tad overkill for my needs. I simply need one that will charge my phone up perhaps twice before it needs charging again itself. I have been looking at the Anker ones on there and people are critisising the connectors durability but am I right in saying that I could simply use a standard USB to micro USB cable in its place?

kevpuk · 30 Apr 2013 at 16:21

I guess it all depends.....the quoted 10000mah suggests 3-4 charges of most phone batteries (e.g. S4 = 2600mah, HO = 2300mah) but the reality is that this does not quite pan out like that - I would expect 2-3 charges of these phones, due to all sorts of technical details I kind of understand, but am not an expert in :confused:

The one I bought has dual outputs capable of 2A and also a 9/12v switchable output! The two USB outputs are slightly differently wired internally to allow devices which use differing connectivity to function - e.g. the PS Vita is 'the other way round' to most USB charging devices, meaning that most external battery packs would not be able to charge it = Sony make an official (and expensive!) one.....the Anker charges it just fine

I don't use any of the supplied adapters, just plug in whatever devices USB cable and off it goes

Have to say I am very pleased with the device, both in terms of quality and functionality - think I paid around £30 or so about 6 months back; not the cheapest, but decent and - importantly for me - capable of PS Vita charging when most could/can not out of the box without rewiring USB cables!