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I've been having no end of problems with Mobiles and other devices of late. Either the products are coming up short in the fuel capacity or I'm just an over the top user. I think the earlier is the case.
I had been using an iPhone 3Gs for some 12mths or so as many of you will know through my consistent complaining and issues I had with it (12 replacements in 12 mths). One of my biggest issues was the life of the battery. Generally the iPhones I was only getting 3-5 hours usage depending on how busy I was with it.
After the 12th replacement I had had enough. I was over the relationship with the device, the Apple support and the Genius (Retard) Bar experiences. Now I have a shiny new HTC Desire. I'm not completely happy with the device. Firstly, Battery Sux. Available apps are nothing close to those I become reliant on with the iPhone. Also the outlay I had made on Tom Tom cradles, Battery Sleaves and other accessories now lay dormant or are being utilised by my 9 year old Daughter (Geek in the making).
I came across a product offering from Duracell that floated my boat. It's the Duracell Power Reserves range with currently 3 products on offer.
These devices all have slightly different function and target markets. All are USB fuel cells designed to charge any USB device on the road. I decided to get a couple of the Instant products, mainly because, in a rush, they were all I could find and found that they were available at Officeworks stores for $35.98. Officeworks also had an offering from Energiser which from what I could see had three separate products that were each targeted to a range of different mobile phones with a variety of adaptors for various listed Phones and USB devices. Although it was cheaper, about $25 it was limited to the supported range of products and the adaptors supplied.
The Duracell Product is nice, neat and functional, I would have like to take a look at the other products in the range but the Instant was the only one of the range that Officeworks seemed to stock. Possibly a battery shop might carry the full range or one of the online stores may have stock and availability.
The Device itself is about the size of a pack of Tick Tac's, (not that I like them) capacity is 1150 mAh and is reported to offer up to 35hrs of backup power, there are two USB ports clearly marked on the device at each end, One for Power in, one for power out. The power in is a Mini USB and the device comes with a short USB to USB Mini adaptor included for charging from an appropriate USB port or Power adaptor socket. While the device is on charge there is a status led adjacent to the input power jack. Red for Charging, Green for charged. Simple really. The other end of the device there is a standard USB jack to connect to your phone or other USB powered device, cable not included. On the side of the device there is a On/Off Switch, on the front there is a nice little led Green for charging, Red for fuel low for when the device is low or flat.
It is recommended that the device be switched to the off position when not in use, this prevents any possible discharge when not in use.
The fact this product is suitable to any USB powered gadget you might have makes it a compelling accessory to have for day to day reserves or to travel with.
I found that the Energiser alternative was a pain having a messy cabling solutions, product specific and no recharge option. You could just replace the 2xAA batteries with fresh to keep going thou???
I give the Duracell Instant 9-10 as a backup power solution for mobiles, smartphones, camera's and other portable devices that are rechargeable buy USB.
The other two products in the range from Duracell the Powerhouse and Pocket. I have not been able to get my hands on at this stage, however, the Powerhouse I would be keen to get. It offers 2000 mAh of fuel or up to 60 hours of backup power, can charge two devices at once and has a USB Port and swinging mini USB arm built in. The Pocket is the smallest in the range and carries 500mAh of fuel giving it up to 15hrs back up power and has a swinging mini USB arm.
Products this would be suitable for Mobile and Smart Phones, Digital Still and Video Camera's, MP3 Players, Flip HD's, iPhones, iPod, Nano's, USB Lights, More…