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Review of Anker 14W Solar Panel charger w/lots of pics!!!

This is a review of Anker 14W Solar Panel charger. http://www.ianker.com/product/71ANSCP-B145A
My obsession with external batteries started a couple of years ago after a few nasty storms we went through here on East Coast. Nothing is worse than loosing power for a week or more and figuring out how to charge your phone. Around that time, I was thinking how great it would have been to have a solar panel. Just recently, I was actually asked if I'm planning to review a solar charger. Looking around for available choices, I was pleased to see 14W foldable dual-port model from Anker. Though there were other solar chargers on Amazon, none got as many 5-star reviews as this one, so I decided to request a review sample. With a Spring finally in full effect and sun is out - I figured it will be a perfect opportunity to take a closer look at this 14W solar charger. Here is what I found.
I was pleased to see that no matter how big or small a product Anker sells, it still arrives in an environmentally friendly packaging. Once you take it out of the box, you can really feel it's hefty weight, almost 1.7lb. Unfolding the charger revealed 4 solar panels, each one about 6" x 9". Everything was packaged inside of foldable rugged construction made out of heavy polyester canvas material. The solar panels were not removable and stored inside of individual pockets covered by heavy duty clear PET plastic screen material. A lot of thought went into the design to make sure the construction is durable for outdoor use and the front of the panel, which supposed to be exposed to a sun, will remain undamaged in direct heat. As a matter of fact, once you unfold this solar charger, you will find an extra fold with a dual output USB port and a velcro pocket where you can store your smartphone or external battery to keep it away from the direct heat. It actually came very handy when I left my phone outside charging and was able to keep it out of the direct sun light inside of this pocket.
Without a doubt, this is a very compact foldable solar charger, but how does it perform in the sun? Unfortunately for a few days when I was testing it, I wasn't able to take advantage of a full direct sun (cloudy). From the spec of this charger, it can supply 5V with a combined 2A between both ports. It's definitely possible and I've read plenty of reviews with people who were able to get maximum charging speed. In my case, the first test didn't yield the greatest results because I was sitting in a shade and was only able to get 300-400 mA of charging current. The next day I was able to get better results with 800 mA of charging current, though it was still a bit cloudy outside. I'm pretty sure in a direct sunlight I will be able to get a much higher current reading. So my plan is to continue testing and posting my updates.
Overall, this was my first Solar Charger experience, and I found it to be very impressive. Of course, the big limitation is finding a perfect sunny spot to take full advantage of maximum charging speed. But even if you are stuck in a shade or the sun is down already, you can still get enough charging current to boost your smartphone or tablet battery. With a very competitive pricing and backed up by 18-months warranty, this solar charger can come very handy in a lot of places where you're away from the power outlet.
Here are the pictures.
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Which app do you use to check the charge current?
Enviado do meu GT-N7105 através de Tapatalk

Galaxy Charging Current "Lite" - it's for Samsung phones only. But you can also use this tool I reviewed here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451375

Thanks! Now I am sure I am tuned in. I use also the Galaxy Current lite.
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External Battery Review: Lepow ADD

Having previously reviewed the LePow Moonstone, I'm glad to post this very delayed review of the ADD, another in a lineup of great backup power sources from LePow.
I would first like to apologize to our friends at LePow for the very long delay. I suffered a hand injury a few months ago that prevented me from typing effectively until just now. Though I have pictures of the 'accident', they would only be suitable for medical journals, so I'll spare you all the discomfort of having to see what happens when fingers have an unfortunate encounter with a power tool.
The LePow ADD continues in their tradition of environmentally friendly packaging, being shipped in a plain cardboard box which houses a container of... CORK! Yes, cork. Very clever, and very trendy.
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Unpackaging the ADD leaves you with rectangular bodies, the main unit and an expansion pack, along with a gray felt pouch and silicone holder which contained a color-matched USB cable. This unit does not have as many 'tchotchkes' as the Moonstone, which is fine by me. I don't need stickers or any more USB drives, I'd prefer that money go into enhancing quality and features.
I'd first like to say that I much prefer this form factor over the Moonstone, because for a business traveler such as myself, it is far easier to pack in a briefcase or even jacket pocket being flat and squared off. The Moonstone, while highly capable, is shaped in such a way that its rounded edges while very fashionable and exhibiting an excellent aesthetic design sense, make it somewhat less suited for business use.
Usage is fairly straightforward. The expansion pack 'docks' onto the main unit much in the way a Lego is stacked on top of another, and is held into place with a magnet. It's easily removable and a bump or drop will dislodge the expansion pack, but the engineering approach is so clever and the probability that the unit will become dislodged in use is so remote, that I overlook that possibility in favor of appreciating the ease-of-use. I mean, really... who doesn't like magnets? How cool is that???
To activate the ADD-on pack, a twist of the aluminum switch block 90 degrees from the main unit brings two embedded spring-loaded pins into contact, activating the secondary unit when the primary unit has expired. Recharging is likewise accomplished the same way.
There are some very cool features built into LePow units, one of which is the ability to tell when your power source needs a recharge itself. In the case of the ADD, an accelerometer (?) will trigger four LEDs to display with a bit of a shake on the unit. Very subtle, and very classy. A nice touch. I don't like a lot of 'bling' on my equipment, and this fits in very well.
Regretfully I'm not an electronics engineer, so I can't comment on the particulars of efficiency, but here is an illustration of recharging an HTC One M7:
10:30AM – 15% charge on phone
11:30AM – 49% charge
1:00PM – 85% charge
1:45PM – 100% charge
So, roughly 3 hours for a full charge from nearly dead. That might seem a long time compared to a USB or AC charger, but when the chips are down, and you're miles away from a power source, this unit can be a lifesaver. For those of you who are 'preppers', I'd suggest keeping a LePow unit in your bug-out bag. Y'never know...
CONCLUSION:
I think anyone would be very happy with any LePow backup power source. Their products have "all the right stuff"... high capacity cells, overcharge protection, ease of use features and solid build quality. A great value all around. However I'm particularly fond of the ADD for the reason stated above. Go get one!

Review of Anker 2800 mAh S5 replacement battery/charger combo w/lots of pics!!!

This is a review of Anker combo battery pack for Galaxy S5 with 2x 2800mAh batteries and a travel charger. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OUA9M1Y/
Since I already reviewed a single replacement Anker 2800 mAh for S5, I will quote parts of my original review in here.
It's not a speculation but a fact - sooner or later your shiny new Samsung battery will start showing signs of aging and reduced performance. It's also a fact that some of us wants to keep S5 slim without extra thickness or weight of the extended battery, and would rather prefer to have a spare one they can charge externally and swap when necessary. Either way, a number of S5 owners will be looking for a replacement OEM battery and that's where the nightmare begins. You can cross out most of the cheap ebay or other on-line retailers, especially those claiming 2x capacity in the same footprint as OEM battery - those are all marketing tricks where often you won't even get the original capacity. Going on Amazon used to be a safe choice, but not anymore. The same ebay sellers list their junk under the brand names and people don't bother to check when looking for a bargain price.
This battery/charger combo from Anker arrived in a sturdy box with two batteries, a travel wall charger, and a nice set of instructions all separated inside of the partitioned plastic tray. Each battery was shrink wrapped, sealed airtight, and actually half way pre-charged. The wall charger is generic re-branded type with a plug that folds flat thus making it convenient for traveling. This charger actually has a dual functionality, to charge a battery (at 600 mA) and to charge any other device connected to external usb port (at 1A). I know this is not the fastest speed, but it's a convenience of been able to charge a spare battery externally outside of your phone. A lot of people prefer not to have a charging downtime when using their phone, and find it a lot easier to just open the battery cover and replace with a spare charged battery.
Putting Samsung original battery next to Anker reveals an identical outline shape in length, width, and thickness. Everything aligns with the same contact spacing, the same capacity and NFC functionality, and the same fitment. The only difference was a water tamper seal sticker on Samsung which is not present on Anker. Regarding the performance, out of the box I didn't see or expected to see any difference in comparison to a stock battery. The battery was recognized, ran cool, and lasted the same amount of time relative to our typical use with a stock battery.
Overall, this battery is not about double capacity or some new extraordinary functionality. It does what it supposed to do and comes in a convenient double packaging with a bonus travel charger. Furthermore, it's from a trusted company that earned its reputation with thousands of 5-star comments/reviews on Amazon over the last 3+ years. I'm not hyping it up, just stating the obvious by searching on Amazon as well as forums in our community. Anker actually has a really good quality control, a great tech support, a very reasonable competitive pricing, and 18-months hassle free warranty. Definitely gets my recommendation!
Here are the pics.
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Awesome thanks for posting this how are they performing !? can you please tell me which case that is that you are using !? it looks pretty good

[Mega Review] Anker PowerCore External Battery Charger 10400, 15600, 20100 (Pics!)

Hi all,
I have a lot of external battery packs. If you're familiar with Anker or even follow them on social media, you'll know they recently had a sale on their new chargers. I was able to get the 15600 and 20100 units for half price. They previously offered Power Users the 10400 unit for $9.99 which I gladly accepted. This review is in no way an obligation to these deals, but I wanted to share my impressions of these. Mostly, this will serve to compare to some of their other (older) products.
My favorite external battery charger to date is the Anker 2nd Gen Astro E5 16000. It's long and slim and fits in my front pants pocket really nicely. It's got a fabulous piano black plastic chassis, and blue indicator LEDs.
The PowerCore chargers all have a soft matte finish that slightly more of a charcoal black. The matte finish is advertised to not leave fingerprints or smudges, but I can assure you, it does pick up the oils off of your fingers. It does have a better grip than the glossy finished units.
A look at the specifications states that the new units have 4.8A output current, which is up from the 3A max that the Astro was capable of. This is awesome if you need to charge two devices simultaneously. I have a Legion USB Multimeter that I can verify that with but haven't done so yet. These chargers also boast PowerIQ tech, which is supposed to deliver the best charge type for your device. There's also protection and VoltageBoost features.
I've always admired Anker's relatively simplistic packaging and graphics design. They certainly do a nice job making you feel comfortable with your purchase decision, with reassurance that if you're not happy, they will make things right. I haven't had a negative experience yet.
Each unit includes a mesh carry bag and a USB cable (3' I think). The 10400's carry bag is a nice fit, but I think the bag included with the 15600 and 20100 is a bit too large for the size of the charger. I imagine this bag was sized to one of the larger chargers and they haven't updated the bags for the new product. I LOVE how perfect the bag fit is for the Astro 16000.
The USB cables are a great inclusion, although I wish they would include their heavier duty 28 / 21 AWG cables that you can purchase separately. I've noticed HUGE charging speed improvements using those heavier cables, especially with the longer lengths. Another point would be that if you're using these chargers with Apple devices (or anything other than Micro USB), you're going to have to source your own cable.
Charging the batteries is a matter of reversing a USB and plugging it into a charger just as you would your phone. LEDs light up with one LED flashing to indicate charge level.
Now, one difference I should point out compared to the Astro is that when these finish charging, ALL LEDs turn off. On the Astro, all LEDs stay on when the unit is fully charged. I prefer the Astro's behavior so you can see it is done charging at quick glance.
Since I've had the PowerCore 10400 longer, I've actually been using it since I got it. It performs just as you'd expect. That said, I find the wider design harder to keep in my pocket. I like the longer narrow build better.
And on size, the PowerCore 15600 and 20100 units appear to be exactly the same. The specifications say that the 15600 should weigh 341g, but according to my non-scientific OXO scale, both weigh 356g, which is what the specs say for the 20100. And the two being exactly the same size, I can't really tell them apart from each other without reading the very fine print labeling. This could be a problem of sorts should I keep them both around... I could easily grab the wrong one. Now, I'm only trading off maybe 2 charges for my Galaxy S6, but I do like to know what I am carrying. Also for reference, that Astro weighs in at 308g, so it is lighter, smaller, and has more capacity than the PowerCore 15600. I'll certainly use these newer units, but that Astro might remain my favorite.
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Thanka for the review.
I would like to know howmuch mah does they really have?
For example xiaomi 16000 mah powerbank has 10000 mah (the rest get lost at the conversion.
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dodocool DP09 5000 mAh 2-Ports Power Bank - Unboxing & Review

dodocool 5000 mAh 2-Ports Slim Power Bank
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Unboxing
Just like the majority of Power Banks, also this one comes packaged in an eco-friendly box with some essential accessories: 2x Micro-USB Cables, 1x Lightning Cable, 1x User Manual, and the Power Bank (of course).
The whole body is made of plastic with a super glossy surface and it feels solid enough. Some flex is noticeable due to the slim plastics, but still there are no noticeable imperfections.
On the front, there isn't anything important except the dodocool logo and the Power LEDs.
Just four standard blue LEDs that indicate charging and the battery level.
While on the back there are all info about the product's specs and certification logos.
Technically this power bank has 2 USB Output, but one of them can be only used with the included slim cables since it is almost inside the chassis where there is no space for a standard USB plug.
On the front there is a USB Output port and the Micro-USB connector for charging, while on of the sides there is a Power Button.
The idea of providing a built-in, but replaceable, USB cable that can also be switched between the Micro-USB and Lightning variant.
As regards the size, this is the slimmest power bank i have ever reviewed, and also the lightest. It is 13.26x7.12x0.9mm and weights 125g.
Efficiency and Battery Capacity
Starting from Battery Capacity, i have measured it using my USB Tester, and the real capacity seems to be slightly lower than the declared value. (real ~4645mAh, declared 5000mAh)
When it comes to efficiency though, this power bank provides interesting results.
Starting from the "more accessible" USB Port, it is able to provide more than the declared 1A of current, reaching 2A without any issue at all. Probably, the total current supported by the power bank is 2A, not 1A for each USB port.
Both USBs can be used in the same time, here you can see my smartphone charging while keeping the resistor turned on at 1A.
Great results for such a small power bank, it means that the circuit board is made of quality components.
Conclusions
Excluding the glossy surface that will make me crazy for scratches and dirt (a pouch is a must there), i am impressed by the overall quality of this power bank. Usually, smaller ones, do not reach this level of efficiency.
Currently this is a product that i can recommend with no doubts, and i am looking forward to see a matte revision that will make it just perfect.
Pros:
- Extremely Efficient
- Lightweight and Compact
- Nice Design
Cons:
- Real Battery Capacity is slightly lower than declared
- No Type-C Cable included
- Glossy Surface
Rating: 8.6
Packaging and Accessories: 8
Design and Materials: 8
Performance and Efficiency: 10
Price: 8.5 (based on Amazon price)
Official Product page: https://www.dodocool.com/p-dp09w.html
You can find full-res images (I know, Quality isn't excellent) here: https://imgur.com/a/NlorV​