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#288530 - 03/27/18 04:22 PM Useful Power Bank + +
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
This is the Seattle Sports Power Bank, packaged with five accessory appliances.

My initial impression is quite favorable. The basic power bank seems to be a 26650 lithium-ion battery with an integral small flashlight, (estimated to be about 50 lumens) potentially quite useful if you ever need to assemble the other components in the dark. Four blue LEDs indicate the charge status. Other components are: a siren, fire starter, flashlight, lantern/SOS flasher, and red laser. These all plug into a USB outlet on the power bank which is adjacent to a mini-USB receptacle which recharges the power bank. A sturdy power cord is provided for this purpose.

With my phone, a Samsung Galaxy 6, I can use the same cord to recharge the phone by simply reversing it on the power bank, thereby not having to carry another cord. I recharged a 50% phone quite readily, but the power indicator went from four lights to one in the process - not sure I could fully charge a dead phone.

The 130 lumen flashlight is satisfactory, with an evenly lit field with sharply defined margins. The lantern has a broader field which is not so uniformly lit. The SOS flasher works, but who comprehends SOS these days?. The red laser is vivid, a dandy pointer, and the electronic siren is loud and attention getting. It would definitely not be mistaken for aimless tooting.

The fire starter can operate independently without attachment to the power bank, and when fully charged can spark for 100 five second intervals before need recharge, according to the provided instructions. The unit readily lit prepared tinder in my one use of the item. This could be a useful backup, since I always have alternative fire making items when out and about.

The power bank and components are carried in a sturdy plastic case, which is not excessively heavy, although I am not sure I would include it on a normal back packing trip. be sure and read the instructions and familiarize yourself with the various items. This is not something to put away in a drawer, but an item to be used routinely and well.

List price for the unit and accessories is about $60. The various units are also available separately, according to the Seattle Sports web site.
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#288531 - 03/27/18 04:35 PM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: hikermor]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
Link: Seattle Sports SurviVolts Power Bank and USB Mult-E-Tools 5 Pack Interesting option. The bank that came with my small solar charger contains 4xAA NiMH batteries. Hmmm, need to do some math. FWIW my REI dividend will cover the $$ as well.

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#288534 - 03/27/18 09:43 PM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: hikermor]
gonewiththewind Offline
Veteran

Registered: 10/14/08
Posts: 1517
Interesting

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#288535 - 03/28/18 02:05 AM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: Russ]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Russ, thanks for posting the link. My REI dividend financed my purchase quite nicely. I might add that I have no connections with Seattle Sports or REI other than being a satisfied customer.
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#288540 - 03/28/18 08:23 PM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: hikermor]
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
I am often surprised at how few people carry a power bank of some sort; either for your phone or computer. I have one in my kit for my phone that runs off a single AA battery.

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#288541 - 03/28/18 08:30 PM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: TeacherRO]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
ThruNite markets one that runs off a single 18650 Li-Ion - ThruNite 3400 mAh Portable Charger

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#288542 - 03/29/18 12:49 PM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: Russ]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Some kind of a power bank is a really useful accessory if you regularly carry a cell phone away from conventional sources of electricity. Many now offer some sort of light, as well.
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#288543 - 03/29/18 02:15 PM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: hikermor]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
Not as concerned about the cellphone as my camera. The cellphone goes into airplane mode or is turned off to conserve battery. I do that a lot because I’m antisocial and prefer to not answer the phone when I’m out and about. The camera OTOH uses power faster than you’d think, but can recharge its battery if given a USB power source. 3400 mAh does a good job charging the 1400 mAh battery in my small camera or the 1900 mAh battery in my larger full frame. I really miss my old manual film camera. Recently picked up a spare for the small camera since I use it more, but a USB power source you can drop in your pocket is always useful.

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#288544 - 03/29/18 02:52 PM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: hikermor]
gonewiththewind Offline
Veteran

Registered: 10/14/08
Posts: 1517
Found it on Amazon for $21

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#288545 - 03/29/18 03:11 PM Re: Useful Power Bank + + [Re: Russ]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
I have this nice useful thing - it is a camera with which I can actually make phone calls,(and tell time, calculate, etc. etc.)
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