| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Border_Collie
Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Feb 01, 2006
Posts: 2543
Location: Rainham, Kent. England.
|
 Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject: Emergency battery backup |
 |
|
I came across the following HERE portable chargers at what I believe to be very reasonable prices.
£20.49 gives you up to an additional 24 hours on e.g. your PDA and £34.99 for up to an additonal 48 hours.
For those using their, sat.nav. (off road), mobile phone, iPods etc these could be just what they are looking for.
_________________
Formerly known as Lost_Property
And NO that's NOT me in the Avatar. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
MaFt
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 15136
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
what happens when THAT runs out of charge while you're out?
me and darren ahve just ordered one of these kits: http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/
$35 (approx £22) including mints, tin and postage. OK, it's a kit but 1) it works with iphone/ipod, 2) it will work with virtually ANY usb powered device, 3) runs off bog standard AA batteries and 4) it could look like a bomb when left in hand luggage next to a tub of play-do!
we plan on having a race to build it and then review it for the site! as you say, can be handy for pda's when out and about etc.
MaFt |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Border_Collie
Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Feb 01, 2006
Posts: 2543
Location: Rainham, Kent. England.
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | what happens when THAT runs out of charge while you're out? |
Eh? e.g. I use my Mio P350, with sat. nav running for the first couple of hours or so and the battery gets low. I insert the charger, which has a mini USB connector suitable for my Mio, I then have up to 24 hours before it dies. The thing is, if I walk for a couple of hours plus the 24 hours, I'd die. 
I'd seen other emergency chargers which were far more expensive than the ones at Choice and thought theirs were getting towards a bargain.
The kit looks OK, 2-1 Darren wins. 
_________________
Formerly known as Lost_Property
And NO that's NOT me in the Avatar. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Darren
Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I will as they're coming to me first 
Seriously though, these are a fun little project and we'll document the build but as to winning, I home-built a Sinclair ZX80 and it didn't work when I'd finished.
Luckily Sinclair had anticipated this and offered a return to base and repair scheme for home builds. I think I saved £20 buying it as a kit but the repair services was £25 ho-hum!
_________________
Darren Griffin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MaFt
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 15136
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | Cellphones – approx 48 hours standby time and 4 hours talktime
iPod – approx 20 hours; 4 hours if watching video
AA rechargeable batteries – charge in approx 2 hours
MP3/MP4’s – approx 3 hours
PSP’s – approx 2.5 hours
PDA’s – approx 24 hours |
i took the 24 hours for PDA's to mean standby mode - if using as GPS / maps i would expect that to drop rapidly (like the cellphone's 48hr / 4hr figures above...
sorry, i wasn't saying they were bad! they're actually a decent price for once and, like you say, a better bargain than i've seen previously! i just don't trust the '24hours' pda use :D
MaFt |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Border_Collie
Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Feb 01, 2006
Posts: 2543
Location: Rainham, Kent. England.
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | i took the 24 hours for PDA's to mean standby mode - if using as GPS / maps i would expect that to drop rapidly (like the cellphone's 48hr / 4hr figures above... |
I see what you mean, it would be interesting to know just how long it would last. There is the more expensive one which shows
| Quote: | All iPods – 40 hours (iPod USB charging cable required)
Mobile Phones – 96 hours
Digital Cameras – 1600 pictures
Two-way radios – 24 hours
PSP’s – 5 hours
MP3’s/MP4’s – 6 hours
PDA’s – 48 hours |
but again no clue as to how long it would last using the sat nav.
I'll wait to see if anyone has purchased one or the other, or similar, and how long the batteries last. Your report on the 'kit' should be interesting.
_________________
Formerly known as Lost_Property
And NO that's NOT me in the Avatar. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aj2052
Frequent Visitor
Joined: Jul 03, 2005
Posts: 1431
Location: Leics,UK
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
Seems a lot of hassle, I bought two for £1 each from poundland a few months ago, Ok only uses 2 x AAA but for a £1 ieal for standby who can quibble and i dont have to build them. and they have USB output.
_________________
Moto G5s Plus, Sygic 17.4.8 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pocketgps
Lifetime Member
Joined: Nov 16, 2004
Posts: 2145
Location: Midlands, UK
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I use a U2o iWalk 5400 usb charger/battery extender for my iPod, but will also charge/run anything with a mini usb socket.
Can be found HERE (opens in a new window).
I understand the 2xAA battery charger idea, generally always able to get hold of some batts. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Darren
Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| aj2052 wrote: | | Seems a lot of hassle, I bought two for £1 each from poundland a few months ago, Ok only uses 2 x AAA but for a £1 ieal for standby who can quibble and i dont have to build them. and they have USB output. |
You rather miss the point! No-one is suggesting these are cheaper or simpler than buying off the shelf.
Yes you can buy these cheaply but the fun IS the build AND you get a device that uses better quality components and design.
I've just built mine, see the entry on my personal blog here.
_________________
Darren Griffin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mullet
Frequent Visitor
Joined: Dec 12, 2005
Posts: 1051
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Suggestion, etch http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/ on the back of the tin.
It may help with the explanation when your hand luggage is scanned.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
![]() Posted: Today Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising |
|
|
We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?. Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in for private messages
Log in
