Battery life in the field - panel or not , 6 day hunt.

[id450]

I’ve made the switch to all rechargeable gear other than my rangefinder plus an extra battery. . . I phone 14 ( in airplane mode and roaming off) in reach, headlamp , steri pen UL, my phone will be handing most mapping offline , scope cam , pictures etc…
I have a big blue 28w solar panel weighs in at 20.4 oz , dark energy 10,000 is 8.5oz . Do I need both for 6 days? Or what’s ur guys experience on the dark energy and device management now that I’m not hauling batteries. . I’m assume 6 days is risky the edge ?


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[BBob]

I get by fine with a single 10K mAh battery pack for 10 days with some to spare. My phone (14 Pro Max) is always in airplane mode and I have a newer Garmin Mini 2. I don’t send ton of messages. My rechargeable Petzl headlamp and Surefire LED lithium conversion don’t need charging for that length of time.

 

[Brianb3]

I’ve been getting almost 48 hours on my iPhone w full charge low battery mode and Airplane but just discovered as I’m glassing for mule deer in the same place I’ve hunted for 8 years at 7000 feet and 12 miles deep 4800 vert I now get 2 bars lte so I’ll need more juice next time. Also Just witnessed 3 hunters for the first time up here blow out 3-3yo bucks. Times are changing.

Following.


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[id450]

I’ve been getting almost 48 hours on my iPhone w full charge low battery mode and Airplane but just discovered as I’m glassing for mule deer in the same place I’ve hunted for 8 years at 7000 feet and 12 miles deep 4800 vert I now get 2 bars lte so I’ll need more juice next time. Also Just witnessed 3 hunters for the first time up here blow out 3-3yo bucks. Times are changing.

Following.


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Yeah that’s a great point I’ve been in some if the most remote parts of Nevada at 10-11k with cell better than I get in my house. Thanks


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[Marbles]

It depends on how you manage power. I can easily get 7 days with power to spare bringing a 5,000 Ah battery pack.

My flashlights have their own spare batteries, never needed them, but it is cheap insurance. I use a full sized inReach as it has better battery life, and most of the time my phone is off.

Using a phone to track and navigate really hurts battery life. Or watching movies at night, Etc. Leaving an inReach on at night will make it die a lot faster, Etc. Honestly, only you can know. If unsure, bring extra power and cut back as you figure things out.

Personally, if in your situation and unsure, I would take a second power bank before taking a solar panel. Get a 5,000 Ah and treat it as a reserve for survival needs only.

 

[id450]

Thanks guys, very helpful. I’m
Gonna save the weight and roll the battery pack only this go around.


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[ChrisAU]

I’ll have two Nitecore 10k chargers at 5.3oz each for a 7 day/6 night trip. Digiscoping eats battery life in my iPhone 14 Pro.

 

[TaperPin]

Lithium AA disposable batteries are one of the least expensive ways to shave weight if you look at $ per ounce saved. I can’t imagine packing a solar charger for a one week hunt.

A phone burns a lot of juice trying to constantly update and search for signal - airplane mode and adjusting screen brightness way down can really help.

 

[Corvus Corax]

Start with everything charged up and skip the solar panel. Bring the 10000mah battery to recharge. Keep your electronic devices from getting really cold. I Just did ~50hrs Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon with my 14pro on airplane mode/battery saving mode. I took a few dozen pictures, sent/received about a dozen InReach messages, and ran two OnX tracks and still came out with over 50% battery. InReach was still at 89% but I didn’t keep it on constantly. Maybe have a spare headlamp that takes regular replaceable batteries for a backup. Something like the Petzl Elite.

 

[chizelhead]

I've had poor luck with solar charging in the field. That was 6 years ago, so maybe things have changed. The weight savings from not packing solar has gone to more battery capacity.