Wireless charging device– one of the latest innovations on the technology market in recent years. For a long time, people have dreamed of being able to charge their phone without being in eternal search sockets and cords, now it has finally become a reality. We present to your attention a rating in which we have collected the best wireless chargers for your phone, in case you wanted to get hold of such an accessory, but didn’t know which model to choose.
No. 10 – Samsung EP-PG920I
Price: 2,800 rubles
Our rating opens with the Samsung EP-PG920I. This model was dedicated to the release of the gadget Samsung Galaxy S6, but it works great for other smartphones as well. The accessory is equipped with a standard microUSB connector, so you can use it not only at home from the network, but also in the car or outdoors, if you happen to have a portable battery or laptop with a free USB connector nearby. Samsung EP-PG920I weighs 87.5 g. Input voltage is 5V, output current is 1000 mA, output voltage is 5 V.
Samsung EP-PG920I has an interesting and stylish design. Also, a nice feature is the glow of the accessory, depending on the operating mode. The principle of operation of the backlight is as follows: when charging, the device is illuminated in blue, and when it is finished, in green.
Samsung EP-PG920I
#9 – Nillkin Fast Wireless Charging
Price: 2,400 rubles
Nillkin Fast Wireless Charging technology supports fast charging, which will significantly reduce the time necessary for a smartphone, in order to replenish energy. The accessory allows you to position the gadget both vertically and horizontally. It can be used with any smartphone that supports Qi wireless charging. The amount of input current is in the range of 5V-2A/9V-1.67A, output power is 5W/10W. Nillkin Fast Wireless Charging weighs 130 g. Externally, the device looks modern and stylish, so it will fit perfectly into any environment, be it an apartment, an office or even a car.
Nillkin Fast Wireless Charging
№8 – ROCK W8 QUICK WIRELESS CHARGER
Price: 1,500 rubles
ROCK W8 QUICK WIRELESS CHARGER is made in accordance with all modern standards accepted in the world of wireless chargers, so the owner can place his gadget in it, both vertically and horizontally.
ROCK W8 is equipped with a double induction coil, which provides the adapter with 10 V power. The device supports Quick Charge 2.0 and 3.0 wireless charging standards. The ROCK W8 QUICK WIRELESS CHARGER has a built-in metal object detection that will warn you if there is a foreign object on its surface that is interfering with the process. The electrical protection board will protect your smartphone from power surges.
ROCK W8 QUICK WIRELESS CHARGER
No. 7 – Belkin F8M747bt BOOST UP Qi 1A
Price: 4,300 rubles
In order to use the Belkin F8M747bt BOOST UP Qi 1A with a modern and interesting design, your smartphone must support Qi charging technology. To start the process, simply place the corresponding smartphone on the surface of the charger. Output voltage – 5 V, maximum output current – 1000 mA. The Belkin F8M747bt BOOST UP Qi 1A has no significant disadvantages, we can only note the lack of fast charging.
Belkin F8M747bt BOOST UP Qi 1A
No. 6 – Momax Q.PAD X Fast Wireless Charger (UD6W)
Price: 2,000 rubles
First of all, the Momax Q.PAD X Fast Wireless Charger (UD6W) surprises with its thinness of 8 mm, which, with a monolithic body, gives the accessory a presentable and interesting design. Owners of the latest ones will especially like this device. iPhone models, because when you use it, the lightning connector is freed up, thus making it possible to connect a headset and listen to music.
Momax Q.PAD X Fast Wireless Charger (UD6W) has an advanced protection system, which significantly reduces the chances that your smartphone will become a victim of voltage surges. The case is equipped with a special charging indicator, so you can always monitor how the process is progressing.
Momax Q.PAD X Fast Wireless Charger
No. 5 – Nillkin Magic Charger DISK 4
Price: 1,500 rubles
Nillkin Magic Charger DISK 4 is made of ABS plastic. There are no complaints about the build quality; the design looks reliable and inspires confidence. The charger is equipped LED backlight, thanks to which you can always monitor how the charging process is going. The device holds firmly on the surface, for which we must thank the special rubberized leg, which is located at the bottom.
Current and input voltage Nillkin Magic Charger DISK 4 – 5V / 2A, 9V / 1.7A. Fast Charge supported. On average, to fully charge your Samsung gadget, this accessory will take about 2 and a half hours. Quite a good indicator, which can also be attributed to the advantages of the model. Among the main disadvantages, we highlight the noise that appears during charging.
Nillkin Magic Charger DISK 4
No. 4 – Spigen Essential Fast Wireless Charger F303W
Price: 3,000 rubles
Spigen Essential Fast Wireless Charger F303W is a device with an interesting and modern design, which includes a rubberized coating and an LED indicator. output power when charging it is 5/9 W. Like most modern wireless chargers, Spigen Essential Fast Wireless Charger F303W provides for both horizontal and vertical placement of the smartphone.
The good news is that the model is equipped with protection against overheating and overcharging, so you don’t have to worry about your smartphone. In those cases, if your smartphone overheats, charging will stop and when the temperature returns to normal, the process will continue. Because of this, it is recommended to place the charger in as cool a place as possible.
Spigen Essential Fast Wireless Charger F303W
No. 3 – Samsung EP-PG950
Price: 5,000 rubles
Samsung EP-PG950 looks very attractive. The soft pad, which is located on the front, may at first glance seem to be made of leather, but upon closer examination it becomes clear that plastic was used as the material for its creation. By the way, it is quite easily soiled and gets dirty quickly.
The Samsung EP-PG950 goes best with Samsung smartphones, oddly enough. Yes, the device is considered universal and can be used with all other smartphones that support the Qi charging standard, however, for example, the iPhone 8 will reach 100% battery within 4 hours, while the Galaxy S8 will only need two and a half hours. And this despite the fact that the product from Samsung has a 1200 mAh larger battery.
Samsung EP-PG950
No. 2 – Xiaomi Wireless Charger
Price: 2,600 rubles
Xiaomi Wireless Charger was shown to the public in the spring of this year, along with Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S. Wireless charger The device uses the popular Qi standard. The accessory uses 5 W of power during normal charging; if fast charging takes place, this figure increases by 2.5 W. Like all modern devices, Xiaomi Wireless Charger has protection against overheating and power surges.
Like Xiaomi smartphones, the wireless charger features a practical and discreet design. The developers decided not to stray from their path even here, focusing on the technical component, and appearance kept it simple. However, there is still an LED indicator that allows you to track the charging process, and this is very cool.
Xiaomi Wireless Charger
No. 1 – Skyway Energy Fast
Price: 2,300 rubles
Skyway Energy Fast gets gold in our rating. I would immediately like to say about the two color schemes of the device. It can be made in black or have a dark wood design; in the first case, Skyway Energy Fast looks stylish, in the second it is unique and very unusual. Input voltage – 5V/2A, 9V/1.67A. The LED indicator is located on the bottom of the structure. It lights up when charging starts.
Protection against overheating and power surges also did not pass by Skyway Energy Fast. Although the corner design seems larger than the disk shape used in most other charger models, in fact it fits seamlessly into any workplace.
Skyway Energy Fast
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Modern smartphones, tablets and other devices allow you to be constantly connected. But there are times when it is not possible to recharge the gadget. In such a situation, it will come to the rescue Power Bank. An external charger takes up little space but brings a lot of benefits. You can take it with you on vacation, on a business trip, on a hike or on a trip.
The portable battery is charged from a regular 220 volt outlet, and for a long time retains charge. Some of them are equipped with solar panels for their own recharging. A USB port (there may be several of them) will allow you to charge various electronic devices. The basis of such chargers are lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. Lithium polymer models are more modern. They are more expensive than ionic ones, but they are more reliable and hold a charge longer. Plasticity allows them to be given different shapes.
Characteristics
Capacity (power).
This parameter is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). It will help you determine how many times and which electrical appliances can be charged from this model. Modifications with a capacity of 20000-30000 mAh are equipped with an adapter for a laptop. But such a model can weigh up to a kilogram. For smartphones and tablets, a capacity of up to 10,000 mAh is sufficient. The capacity of the portable battery must be greater than the battery of the digital media that requires recharging. Otherwise, you won't be able to charge anything.
Dimensions and weight.
These characteristics depend on the capacity. The miniature device cannot charge the laptop. Pocket portable chargers are only suitable for phones and tablets.
Charging methods.
The USB connector allows you to charge from a laptop or desktop computer. The fastest way to restore charge is from the mains. Solar panels will help replenish electricity reserves in nature.
Current strength.
A very important parameter measured in amperes (A). It determines how quickly the gadget will charge. For smartphones, a current of up to 1.5 A is suitable, tablets and similar devices will require 2-4 A.
Remaining charge indicator.
The indicator can be LED or digital. It shows how long an external battery can last without recharging.
Number of exits.
The number of USB ports determines the number of devices that can be charged simultaneously.
Appearance.
Models from different manufacturers differ in design and dimensions. The body can be made of plastic or metal.
Additional functions.
Some models are equipped with several adapters, a flashlight or a built-in speaker.
Choosing the appropriate option.
First you need to decide what you are going to charge with an external battery. For recharging smartphone will do a low-power model with no extra connectors. Universal modifications, with a larger capacity and multiple outputs, will allow you to charge the video camera, portable speaker, tablet or something else. By dividing the power of an additional charger by the size of your gadget's battery, you can get the number of possible recharges. For a more accurate result, you need to multiply the result by 0.85 (conversion rate when connecting).
A stand-alone charger is a high-tech accessory that must be reliable and safe. When purchasing, you should give preference to trusted manufacturers.
But there are also various gadgets from our daily life - smartphones, tablets and e-books. And all these devices need power, especially when they are used intensively. Today we will figure out how to ensure uninterrupted operation of the electronics taken on a hike.
Before creating a power plan, carefully study the capabilities and characteristics of your devices:
- How many consumer devices will be taken on a hike? The more there are, the more acute the issue of providing them with electricity will be.
What kind of power do they use - batteries or rechargeable batteries? If batteries are used, then check their parameters - whether they can be recharged via USB ports or whether they will require a separate charger. It is also equally important to understand how long the battery can last on one charge, which is determined by its capacity.
What is the battery capacity? This information is provided by the device manufacturer. In the case of gadgets and portable devices that use small batteries, the charge capacity is most often indicated in milliamp-hours (denoted mAh or mAh). The higher the value, the longer the device can work on one charge, but everything here depends on its “gluttony” and frequency of use. Which brings us to the next question.
How intensively will the device be used on a hike and how long will its charge last? Do you choose strict battery saving mode or use the device's capabilities to full blast? It is better to see in practice how quickly the charge will be consumed. For example, spend a short weekend hike, where you can “test” your electronics in “combat conditions”, and then build a clear power supply plan.
So, let's look at all the options for charging electronics while hiking. Further in the material:
Ways to charge devices while hiking:
How to charge...?
Ways to charge devices while hiking:
Portable batteries
The main “must have”. A portable “power bank” is the most ergonomic, lightweight and compact means for recharging most of your devices on the route. Their modern range is huge - you can find extremely compact and lightweight models aimed at charging gadgets from USB, as well as for much more power-hungry devices - laptops and SLR cameras. There are also universal solutions, for example, compact Goal Zero batteries of the Sherpa series are capable of charging the entire range of portable electronics.
The “Powerbank” will be useful not only when camping - it will become a faithful companion on trips and business trips and will be useful to any active city dweller who has ever encountered the problem of charging a gadget outside the home.
Goal Zero Venture 30 portable battery at work © westernmilitarysupply.com
How to choose a portable battery?
- Basic parameter is Battery capacity- the higher it is, the more charge cycles the “power bank” can provide to your device or devices. Moreover, its capacity should be even higher than the expected needs of your electronics. For example, a power bank with a capacity of 10,000 mAh will not be able to fully charge a smartphone with a 2,500 mAh battery 4 times, maximum 3 or 3.5 times. The reason lies in the inevitable losses associated with operation of charge controllers
.
It is important to observe a certain moderation, because the higher the capacity of the “power bank”, the more dimensions and weight. So, economical use of an electronic device will not only allow you to stretch out the time battery life, but will also make the backpack lighter.
Don't forget about compatibility purchased “power bank” with your devices. Make sure it can output the voltage they need. Most gadgets can be charged from a USB port, which is equipped with almost all portable external batteries produced today, but for more voracious consumers, laptops or SLR cameras, you will need a separate output with a voltage higher than that of USB.
An important selection criterion is manufacturer's credibility portable battery. Responsible brands not only indicate the maximum exact values for the capacity of your devices
, but they are also equipped with high-quality electronics - a charge controller, protection systems against short circuits, overloads, overcharge and overdischarge. It should also be taken into account that the most popular portable battery models on the market, for example, from Xiaomi company, there are many fakes, and you need to carefully choose a seller.
Shockproof and Sealed portable accumulator Powertraveller Powermonkey Explorer 2 © ich-liebe-berge.ch
- Finally, some manufacturers, such as Powertraveller and Goal Zero, create “power banks” that designed for use in traveling conditions. They have durable and sometimes sealed cases, are ergonomic, and - most importantly - can be efficiently charged from non-standard power sources - solar panels and bicycle dynamo hubs. Suitable for outdoor use is the “Vampirchik” device, which is quite well-known among electronics enthusiasts. This is a domestic “power bank”, which is capable of not only operating correctly from solar panels and dynamo bushings, but also “providing” the voltage required by the user to charge a wide range of devices. However, its full operation will require careful study of all instructions, experience, as well as certain knowledge in the field of electrical engineering.
Solar panels
In the wake of interest in environmentally friendly energy sources, samples of portable hydro and wind generators have already been created. However, only solar panels have found their place in field practice so far. What do you need to know before buying them?
Main question- Do you really need a portable solar panel? Solar panels powerful enough to effectively collect charge during daylight hours will add nearly a pound or more to the weight of your backpack. To this we must also add the weight of the buffer “power bank”, which is an additional 250-350 grams. Therefore, if the hike does not differ in duration and high degree autonomy, it is not planned to use a large number of electricity consumers, and their charge is consumed economically - the need for a solar panel simply disappears. In this case, it is easier to replace it with a pair of “power banks” and a supply of replaceable batteries - batteries and accumulators.
Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar battery in tandem with Goal Zero Guide 10 charger © waldenlabs.com
Keep in mind that battery efficiency directly depends on solar activity in the region where the hike route lies. It, in turn, depends on the geographical location of the area and the time of year. For example, in the Altai mountains or Crimea, a solar panel will collect many times more energy than in the Urals or Karelia. And in winter, its efficiency will be much lower than in the summer months. In addition, for the most efficient use of a solar battery, it will need uniform illumination and, if possible, the correct orientation relative to the sun. It is not always possible to meet all of the above conditions when hiking.
However, in certain situations, portable solar panels have proven to be highly effective:
- Completion of autonomous and semi-autonomous routes lasting more than a week. In such a situation, with the active use of several devices and gadgets at once, the weight of the supply of batteries and “power banks” can significantly exceed the weight of one powerful solar panel, complete with one external battery. This may include work in base mountaineering camps, long cycling and water expeditions, and long hiking routes in remote corners of the planet.
Providing electricity in camping conditions without using gasoline generators and a car engine.
Emergency power supply necessary to ensure communication and navigation in an emergency situation (for example, when the storage battery fails and the devices used are discharged).
“Urban” tourism and travel, especially in third world countries, when it is not always possible to charge your gadgets from the network.
The need to work remotely, in a place without stable power supply. For example, keep in touch with the office and respond to email, while being on a secluded wild beach.
As we have already noted, the lighting conditions that tourists experience are most often far from ideal. The solar panel often operates on the fly, mounted on a backpack or kayak deck, and the light level is constantly changing due to the movement of the sun, weather conditions and the constant change of light and shadow. In such situation solar battery most often produces a current that is much weaker than what is stated in the technical documentation. As a result, many devices, mainly smartphones and tablets, simply refuse to charge from such a power source. Therefore, solar panels are most effective when working in tandem with universal external batteries, which “collect” absolutely all the energy produced by solar modules.
As part of this power supply scheme, the buffer external battery is gradually charged throughout the day, and supplies the stored energy in the evening and at night to those devices that need it.
While camping, the solar panel must work as hard as possible, collecting all available energy. In the photo, the Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel is mounted on a backpack and charges the Goal Zero Venture 30 battery © massdrop.com
Benefits of using an external battery:
- Availability of energy reserves in case of worsening weather conditions.
Increases the safety of gadgets and devices that may be damaged or lost when directly connected to a solar battery (overheated in the sun, wet, dropped, etc.).
An external battery allows the tourist to be more mobile at the bivouac, rather than sitting in the sun while being “tied” by a cable to a solar battery.
More efficient storage of energy supplied by a solar panel.
Due to the established practice of using a “solar panel + external battery” combination, there are three configuration options on the modern portable solar battery market:
- The buffer battery is mounted in one housing along with the solar module. As a rule, it has a small capacity, since such systems use low-power solar panels. Examples - BioLite Solar Panel 5+, PowerTraveller Solarmonkey Adventurer.
The solar battery is immediately equipped with an external external battery “from the manufacturer”. Examples - PowerTraveller Solarmonkey Extreme, Goal Zero Venture 30 Pack.
The solar battery is sold separately, and the choice of external battery is up to the buyer. Although the manufacturer recommends certain devices from its catalog. The reason for this is simple - not all “power banks” are capable of correctly collecting energy from such a complex power source as a solar panel. Therefore, before purchasing a solar battery or an external battery for it, make sure that this tandem will work. This can be done based on reviews on the Internet or using the recommendations of the manufacturer itself.
How to choose a solar panel?
Without going into numerous technical details, the main parameter when choosing a solar battery for hiking is its power. The higher it is, the more energy the panel collects per unit time, all other things being equal.
What power solar battery should you choose? The output power of solar panels, which can be safely called portable, varies within a very wide range - from 0.5 to 75 Watts, but in real camping practice, models with 5-20 Watts are most often used. Panels with an output power of less than 5 Watts, as a rule, are built into the housings of external “power banks” and are not able to work effectively in practice, since they charge the equipment extremely slowly even in ideal lighting conditions. Their low power is due to the small area of the photovoltaic panel, which manufacturers strive to fit into a compact body.
Next you need to find the optimal balance between power, weight and battery dimensions. Solar panels with a power of 5-7 Watts impress with their compactness and light weight and, working in tandem with a good “power bank”, they are able to gradually store the necessary energy in clear sunny weather. If the climate is not characterized by stable weather conditions, and the weather is often rainy and cloudy, then perhaps you should give preference to more powerful models (9-20 watts). They will be able to relatively quickly recharge the buffer battery during short “windows” of good weather, but will be significantly heavier.
Solar panels with a power of more than 12 Watt will be needed to charge consumer devices with an operating voltage of 9-12V, which are not able to be powered from a simple USB output. We are talking about batteries for laptops and SLR cameras. Some solar panels with a power of 20 or more watts can even “revive” lead-acid car batteries in case of an emergency or power a portable camping refrigerator that runs from a cigarette lighter.
Spare batteries
In some situations, it is problematic to charge batteries without using special chargers. These could be batteries from a GPS navigator, camera or walkie-talkie. In such a situation, the weight of the “charger + power bank + solar battery” kit may turn out to be prohibitively high and it is advisable to simply stock up on replaceable charged batteries.
The BioLite Camp Stove can charge USB-powered devices © mec.ca
Exotic methods of recharging devices
Here we include boilers and burners equipped with thermal energy converters into electrical energy, portable water and wind generators. Alas, so far these devices can hardly provide the necessary electricity for travelers and replace compact “power bank batteries”. But time passes and such technologies become more and more effective. Perhaps in the future we will actually be able to quickly charge our phone or navigator simply by cooking our dinner on the burner.
Now let's take a look the most optimal ways to recharge using specific examples electronic devices, which are often used on hikes.
How to charge your phone, camera, navigator and other devices while camping?
Cell phones and MP3 players
Simple charge push-button telephone most often enough for the entire route. Unless, of course, you call your mom every half hour. If, even during a hike, you have to literally “sit on the phone,” then a small-capacity external battery will be enough to recharge it. The main thing is to have the appropriate cable with you. MP3 players are also not power hungry, so you can safely use the same battery to charge them.
Smartphones and tablets
The versatility of these devices, combined with their relatively low weight and compact dimensions, allowed them to fit into the backpacks of many tourists. Modern smartphone provides not only Internet access and telephone communication, but also has a good camera for amateur photographs and is often equipped with a GPS module, which is useful when navigating the route. But with intensive use, even the most durable models cannot last more than 2 days on a single charge.
As you know, modern mobile devices and gadgets need to be constantly “fed”, that is, fed with energy. Gadgets allow us to always stay in touch, but at the same time they have the unpleasant property of running out of charge at the most inopportune moment. A person may need electricity for resuscitation mobile phone when traveling or to recharge a laptop in an urban environment, when unexpected power failures arise.
It must be said that there are already plenty of ways to obtain electrical energy in applied physics, and even in everyday life. One of the most famous and available ways is to simply build a windmill with helical blades that will rotate with the force of the wind. And equip it with a generator taken out of the car to convert mechanical energy into electricity.
However, some craftsmen go much further and “get” electricity from products that have certain electrolytic properties. For example, from the most ordinary potatoes. In order to get electricity from ordinary potato tubers, it is enough to have salt, toothpaste, a coil of wire and, in fact, a potato. The potatoes are cut in half with a knife. Wires are passed through one half of the potato, and a small depression is made in the other. This cavity is filled with a mixture of toothpaste and salt. Next, the two potato halves are connected to each other. Pre-stripped wires are finished with paste. This simple device is nothing more than a small electricity generator. Israeli scientists have already learned how to create batteries based on real puree from five to six boiled potatoes. Moreover, the light produced from such potato batteries, as their creators assure, is several times cheaper than using a regular kerosene lamp.
But electricity from potatoes still remains a somewhat exotic way of generating energy. In the modern world, there are many more interesting and less labor-intensive options for generating electricity to recharge your mobile device. A lot has already been created various devices for recharging gadgets, as they say, “on the fly.” We will talk about some of them in more detail.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to using alternative energy to recharge various gadgets is solar energy. Indeed, in developed countries, many panels are already successfully operating that convert solar energy into electricity. Why not use solar energy to quickly charge your smartphone or tablet? In this regard, the Carbon device presented on the Kickstarter site looks very interesting. Outwardly it looks like a bracelet or wrist watch that you can always carry with you. A solar panel is located inside the device. Thanks to this, the Carbon bracelet charges slowly throughout the sunny day, while you, for example, spend time at the beach or on a hike. In the evening, you can use the energy accumulated by the device to recharge your mobile phone.
The capacity of the battery built into the bracelet is 650 mAh. Thus, the full capacity will be enough to power a smartphone or other mobile device for up to three hours of talk time and web surfing. This, you see, is very good if you are away from the power grid for a long time. The device can easily connect to popular devices based on iOS or Android, charging them on the fly. Carbon is available in a waterproof case on a leather strap. Interestingly, this useful device can also be recharged from a standard USB, so you can pre-charge it at home before going on a trip. Carbon is also equipped with a flashlight and strobe light to signal for help in an emergency.
Those users who require something more powerful for recharging mobile devices while traveling, they can turn their attention to the Sun Socket Solar Generator solar station. A portable station is an opportunity to get electricity in nature, far from cities. This device can be used while hiking, as well as when emergency situations. When folded, the Solar Generator resembles a suitcase with documents. The station consists of a system of sliding panels coupled with a built-in battery in which energy is collected. When extending the panels, their length reaches 114 cm, which ensures high solar energy collection efficiency. In addition, a special mechanism automatically rotates the monocrystalline panels so that they always absorb the greatest amount of rays.
The Sun Socket Solar Generator uses a lithium iron phosphate battery that can retain its charge for a long time. Suffice it to say that monthly losses amount to no more than two percent of the full charge. Regular lithium ion batteries cannot boast of such characteristics. Solar Generator can be recharged not only from the sun, but also from a regular power supply. In any case, it will take about five hours to fully charge the station, and when recharging from the sun in cloudy weather - twice as long. The device is equipped with a universal socket, a 12-volt socket and four USB connectors.
With the help of a portable generator, you can charge not only mobile phones and tablets, but also TVs or devices while traveling. satellite communications. Sun Socket Solar Generator allows you to almost completely satisfy a person's electricity needs far from civilization. A neat case weighing just over eleven kilograms is quite convenient to carry. This device is especially suitable for providing power to a tourist campsite. The development of Aspect Solar has already attracted the interest of many travelers, although the cost of such a portable generator is quite high - about $1,500.
Wagan SolarEPower Case 450
Another useful device that uses solar energy is the Wagan Solar E Power Case 450 autonomous charger. This device also looks like a suitcase, but it can hardly be called a compact solution. The dimensions are more substantial, and the weight is about twenty kilograms. However, the Wagan Solar E Power Case 450 compensates for its size with power. Inside the device, as expected, there are solar panels ready to collect energy. These are two 20 W batteries.
In general, this device is designed to simultaneously charge several mobile gadgets at once. Therefore it is equipped with several USB ports, 12-volt outlet, two universal outlets. A voltmeter is provided to assess the charge level. The suitcase is equipped with a durable handle and strap for easy movement. You can easily throw it into your car and use it if necessary while traveling.
In addition to solar energy, there are other, perhaps much more interesting ways to generate electricity to quickly recharge various devices. In particular, the problem of charging your phone outdoors or while traveling can be solved by the FlameStower hiking gadget, which operates on the thermoelectric effect. FlameStower is capable of generating energy from a regular fire, which can be lit in camping conditions. Of course, it is difficult to accumulate a lot of energy in this way. Flame Stower generates only about 2 - 3 W. But this is quite enough to provide two to three minutes of talk time for a mobile phone per minute charge. It is noteworthy that the device can be recharged both from the flame of a fire and from a gas stove.
To use the device you only need a little water. It is poured into a tank, after which it is heated by fire. Due to the temperature difference, electricity is generated. In this case, the charging speed directly depends on the heating temperature. That is, the brighter the flame, the more power is obtained. FlameStower can be useful not only for charging mobile gadgets while traveling, but also for home use during network outages. The device has a fairly modest size and weight (no more than two hundred grams). In addition, it folds into a compact plate, making it easy to take the FlameStower with you on any trip. Mobile devices can be connected to this device for fast charging via a USB port.
Eton Boost Turbine
A more original way to generate electricity is offered by the Boost Turbine device. This is a portable battery with manual charging. It can be used in the absence of bright sunlight or fire - here only the energy of your muscles is used to generate electricity. Eton Corporation has launched the Boost Turbine 1000 and Boost Turbine 2000 models of portable devices, which differ in battery capacity (1000 and 2000 mAh). The operation of the devices is based on the action of a mini-turbine. The user rotates a special handle for one minute and gets the opportunity to charge his phone with enough energy to make a short call or send text messages. The Boost Turbine 2000 provides full charging for most modern mobile devices, while Boost Turbine 1000 guarantees their recharging by 40 - 50 percent.
Boost Advantage Turbine is that the user does not depend on anything - neither on the weather, nor on the time of day, nor on the distance to the nearest settlement. You can easily recharge your phone anywhere and anytime. In addition, this unusual external battery with a built-in dynamo is also a good exercise machine. After all, the handle has decent resistance when rotating. Moreover, it is advisable to rotate it quickly enough to ensure optimal effect. In this case, you have to make even more tangible efforts. By twisting the handle at a fast pace for several minutes, you can feel how your forearm is being used. At the same time, the device converts your muscle efforts into electricity. The process of rotating the handle is quite energy-intensive, so ordinary person enough for five to ten minutes of rotation with one hand.
Of course, the Boost Turbine can hardly be considered as a permanent generator of electrical energy. This is more of an option for travelers, designed for emergencies. If during a hike a person finds himself in a situation where all mobile devices are completely discharged, the external battery has also gone to zero, there is no power grid nearby, but it is very important to make a single call or send a message, then BoostTurbine will come to the rescue. By twisting the knob a little and then connecting the battery to the phone, you can make an urgent call. By the way, at the end of last year, Eton Corporation introduced a more powerful model of the BoostTurbine 4000 hand charger, capable of recharging most modern mobile gadgets twice due to the increased capacity of the lithium-ion battery.
Modern smartphones and tablets are haunted by one very serious problem: Every now and then these devices run out of battery power. This is understandable: the reality is that a mobile gadget has become indispensable personal assistant, and it must be on 24 hours a day. The problem of a low charge, as luck would have it, no, no, and it takes us by surprise when we are away from home.
But there is a way out. There are portable chargers, which in English terminology are commonly called Power Banks. Essentially, this gadget is just a capacious external battery that can release its charge to charge the batteries of your devices. To do this, it has connectors for connecting cables used for charging. The number of connectors and their variety depends on the specific instance.
A typical power bank is a small “brick” with one or more batteries inside. Such a device is charged from an electrical outlet, from your computer via USB - in general, the same as a regular phone.
For this review, a Xiaomi MI model with a capacity of 10400 mAh was taken as a guinea pig: in the author’s opinion, it found a good balance between capabilities and cost.
Appearance
As usual, we start our acquaintance with packaging. A small white box with a smooth surface, on which you can see a security stamp with a unique 20-digit code. Due to the increased attention to its products, Xiaomi has protected itself from counterfeits: if desired, using the code, you can verify the authenticity of the purchase on the website chaxun.mi.com, the code is located under the protective layer on the brand.
Inside the box there is the charger itself, a cable for connecting the phone and instructions. Alas, in our case, in Chinese.
The body is made of polished aluminum, the ends are covered with white plastic. To the touch, the material of the case seems to be of high quality, there are no complaints about the assembly, but there are no design delights either. A sort of strict, indivisible pocket piece of energy, nothing superfluous.
Mi Powerbank weighs about 250 grams. Dimensions – 77 x 90.5 x 21.6 mm. On the case there is a power button, 4 LEDs indicating the remaining energy reserve, and 2 USB connectors. One - standard USB– designed for charging other devices, and the second – micro-USB – for charging the external battery itself.
Capacity
Xiaomi uses good battery cells made by Samsung or LG in its “energy banks”. Theoretically, the efficiency of such batteries is 93%, that is, in our case, about 9,500 ampere-hours are available.
In reality, this figure turns out to be even lower and will depend on the energy efficiency of the device being charged.
Experience
The output current of the test sample is 2.1 Amperes: this is enough for almost any modern portable equipment. During operation, statistics were collected, and it was revealed that one charge of an external battery is enough to fully charge an LG Nexus 5 smartphone 4 times, or 3.5 times for an iPhone 6, or 1.5 times for an iPad mini.
There were some drawbacks too. These include the presence of only one USB connector, and if you take several with you portable devices, you won’t be able to charge them at the same time. Also confusing is the long time it takes to fully charge an external battery: about 12 hours.
Summary
The shortcomings only set off the generally pleasant impression of the device. It is quite suitable for long business trips, field trips or a busy day at work. Depending on the store, such an accessory can now be purchased for 1.5-2 thousand rubles.
We can absolutely say that such a device will suit everyone, but not necessarily exactly the same. You can also pay attention to inexpensive analogues under the brands Samsung, Lenovo, iconBIT, Canyon, Golf. There is a choice, and some gadgets may seem even more attractive to someone in their capabilities or design than the hero of this review.
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