Best Battery Pack for Phones?

Joined
Aug 21, 2012
Messages
727
What is the best battery pack for the back country? Two biggest factors are mAh and weight. What is the perfect match? I am leaning towards going bigger...4-6 charges or more.
 
Joined
Oct 26, 2015
Messages
1,864
Dark energy Poseidon. Pricey but worth it. I wish they made a bigger one.


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wapitibob

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
5,933
Location
Bend Oregon
Anker can't be beat as long as it works; going into year two with mine. Dark E is too pricey for the available juice for me to buy one.
 

PJG

WKR
Joined
Feb 14, 2014
Messages
572
In my opinion the Dark Energy is a waste of money, I gave mine away I was so disappointed in it. The Ankers I own out perform it at a fraction of the cost. The only pro of the Dark energy is that it's waterproof.

You could get a 4 charge and a 7 charge Anker for the price of a dark energy.
 
Joined
Oct 26, 2015
Messages
1,864
Anker can't be beat as long as it works; going into year two with mine. Dark E is too pricey for the available juice for me to buy one.

Yeah. I finally bought DE after three of my ankers broke. Fingers crossed that this lasts longer.


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mtfallon

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jun 29, 2016
Messages
174
Just bought the 10,000 ankur on Amazon for ~$19. It's supposed to charge my Samsung S7 3 times but I only got 1 full charge and 2 half changes during my first test, starting another test today! It's only 6.4oz which is a good weight/power ratio but if it doesnt give me the 3 charges I might experiment with a smaller unit.
 

Nuke Man

WKR
Joined
May 1, 2014
Messages
553
Location
Midwest
I have had nothing but reliability out of my Dark Energy. Sure it's pricey, but isn't it worth knowing without doubt it's going to be there when you need it? I've had ankor and other cheapos that crap out, not giving me the peace of mind that it will work when needed. I can get dang near 5 full charges from completely dead on my Samsung S4 from the Poseiden.
 

AdamW

WKR
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Messages
819
I got the Amazon Basics 10,000 at Christmas and have used it fairly regularly since. I'm really digging it so far, knock on wood.
 

RyanC

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Joined
Feb 7, 2013
Messages
363
Location
Arizona
I think it comes down to weight? If you're wanting 4-6 charges it is going to be tough to get one that is considered lightweight. Elk Hunter magazine just did an article on a few and the lightest one they listed that will charge a cell phone 6+ times is the Goal Zero Sherpa 50 at 1.2lbs. The Inergy Power Bar at 12.6oz will do 4+ charges. They run $250 and $150.

I just saw that the Anker 20k charger is $42 on Amazon and will charge your phone 7 times. Might be something worth looking into?

RC
 
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fngTony

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
5,731
Just bought the 10,000 ankur on Amazon for ~$19. It's supposed to charge my Samsung S7 3 times but I only got 1 full charge and 2 half changes during my first test, starting another test today! It's only 6.4oz which is a good weight/power ratio but if it doesnt give me the 3 charges I might experiment with a smaller unit.
I had a couple anker battery packs and phone replacement batteries. They all needed to be trained. Charge for 24 hours then down to under 10%. 2-4 cycles of this and they all worked normal. Had one dud out of the box but they took care of me.

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fngTony

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Staff member
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Jan 18, 2016
Messages
5,731
As I migrate to having everything usb rechargeable ( phone, headlamp, gps, camera) I'm looking to get 2 to 3 at about 6000mha each. Depending on duration, feel more confident if one goes out, gets lost, damaged. Had good luck Anker, one bad one out of 4 products, they took care of me.

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Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Messages
360
I've had a New Trent 14,000 mAh for a couple years now with no issues. Comes in at 13 oz.
 
Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
350
I've charged my iPhone 6S+ 4 full charges off the dark energy Poseidon. Plus love the cords that they sell.


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Bughalli

WKR
Joined
Nov 16, 2012
Messages
507
Location
Bend, OR
Dark Energy here. I get 4 full charges of my iPhone 6. They had a 20% off sale for Father's Day that enticed me to get one. I have no complaints, but if I did it again I might go with Goal Zero system and buy it at REI, mainly because I have the ability to return it if I ever have issues.
 

brownbear

FNG
Joined
Jan 31, 2016
Messages
73
Took the Anker Power Core 20100 on the Appalachian Trail for seven days. My friend and I both used the battery, which kept both of our phones charged all week. The battery still had half capacity remaining (perhaps a little under) by the end of the trip.

Under $40 on Amazon- but it does weigh 10.6 oz (my only complaint).
 
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