External Battery Packs

[ndbwhunter]

I'm looking for a new external battery pack for keeping my phone charged. I would really like something that had enough capacity to charge my GPS, but I don't remember if the Garmin Rino 530 has a USB for charging. The Anker Astro Series packs are rated pretty high, but I don't have any experience with good battery packs. I'm thinking it would be nice to have along for "checking in" and emergency use. What do you guys use and is it worth weight?

 

[Brock A]

I'm using a newtrent. I can get 5 charges out of it in warm weather.

 

[hammer0419]

I have 12,000 mah newtrent charger. Has 2 outputs both USB. I can charge my Samsung S4 6-7 times no problem.

 

[Tony Trietch]

Newtrent powerpack+Nt135t
6-8 charges.
Love it.

A bit heavy but it works if you need a bunch of power.

 

[dotman]

I have an anker gen2 20000mah, weighs 18oz and works great. Kinda heavy but tons of juice. Anker CS is really good as well.

 

[couesbitten]

New Trent for me as well, great investment.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I have a New Trent ultra and a Mophie XL. The ultra has 14000 mah the XL has 12000mah. I can get 6-8 charges out of the XL, 3-4 out of the ultra. Remember the cold puts a strain on them.

 

[KMD]

New Trent PowerPak Xtreme. here.
12,000mAh, waterproof (to a degree), rubberized outer shell for protection, offers 6 full charges to an iPhone 4s.

 

[ndbwhunter]

How do you store them when the temperature starts to drop? Nightime lows during the early season would be enough to drain some batteries.

 

[Tony Trietch]

In sleeping bag at night and wrapped up in pack when on the move.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

The new Trent works well for me.

 

[Hootsma]

I haven't purchased or used this one yet, but this is the one I was thinking of getting:

http://www.tekkeon.com/products-tekcharge1550.html

It takes AA batteries, like all of my other electronics and it only weighs 4.5 oz without the batteries. It can charge with 2 or 4 AA batteries installed. If your using the Lithium Ultimates, that will add another 1 - 2 ounces. And it's around $15.

According to the following review, the guy got 2.2 charges on his iPhone with 4 Lithium Ultimate batteries.

http://www.marco.org/2010/08/20/charging-an-iphone-with-aa-batteries

 

[trophytaka]

New trent xtreme for me

 

[adirondak5]

Have not used in the field yet , RavPower Deluxe 14000 mah , but testing around the house I've gotten 4 charges on my LG smart phone and 2 charges on my GoPro and still had power to charge with it , its not much bigger than an iPhone

 

[ndbwhunter]

Thanks for all the input guys....I've got some decisions to make. Has anyone used these for charging their GPS? Curious how well they work when charging some of the bigger batteries.

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

How do you store them when the temperature starts to drop? Nightime lows during the early season would be enough to drain some batteries.

I use the New Trent as well and have used it on a winter multi day snow shoe trip. I kept it wrapped in a bandana with one of those open and shake hand warmers
( one would last a day ) and noticed no drop in charge.

 

[Trr15]

Newtrent ultra here...heavy but awesome.

 

[Clarktar]

Have not used in the field yet , RavPower Deluxe 14000 mah , but testing around the house I've gotten 4 charges on my LG smart phone and 2 charges on my GoPro and still had power to charge with it , its not much bigger than an iPhone

This is what I have been using in the field for work. I am running a IPAD for data collection and this unit has been able to fully charge the IPAD twice and still has power left in it. It has a high amp output and charges much faster than the Mophie I was using at first.

 

[hflier]

I have a like new Powerstation Pro from Mophie that I never use and would sell you for $40.00 shipped. If you want to get one with tying up much cash.

This is the link for the spec's.

http://www.mophie.com/shop/powerstation-pro-smartphones-tablets

 

[tttoadman]

I don't think there are any battery packs that will charge the rhino lithium batts. You have to run the AA adapter pack and run at 2 watts. It seems to work fine. I did get a goal zero guide 10 to put about 10% charge on my rhino with a full battery pack and the panel in 100deg sun. Never would be reliable in the woods. I am going with a battery pack and ditching the solar. It just doesn't seem to get it done for the weight and hassle.