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50 of 53 found the following review helpful:
Awesome May 13, 2007
By C. Sims
"Alpha Nerd"
This device is fantastic. Just as it's description says it can charge and power any mobile device that can use USB as a power source. I've used it with my iPod, PSP, Nintendo DS, and even my GPS and it works beautifully.
Before I got it, I was expecting something larger and heavier that didn't hold it's charge as well as this does. I should have known better. All of the APC products that I use at home and at work are great and this is no exception to that rule. It easily fits into a pants pocket or a small bag that you might use to carry your other devices.
What has impressed me the most is how well it can hold it's charge when it's not in use. Other portable batteries I have tried usually get pretty drained rather quickly when sitting on a shelf or being carried around. I've gone weeks without using this and it still had a full charge when I needed it. That was a life saver. We were lost in another state and the battery in my GPS was almost dead. The UPB10 got us home with power to spare.
I haven't been able to test how much time it can add to my various devices, because it lasts longer than I have needed it so far. On a weekend it looks like I got an additional four hours on the PSP. I could have gone longer, but I ran out of time to use it. That was while using it when watching a movie on the memory stick and playing a game from a UMD disc. I was also using my GRADO headphones at a good volume level.
I have noticed that some people have commented that the PSP can't be charged from a USB cable. This is only true if you don't have the right kind of cable. There are several manufacturers that make a USB cable with an extra wire that plugs into the power port on a PSP. MadCatz even makes a retractable one that I use because it makes everything even more portable. There is also a similar cable for the Nintendo DS, which otherwise couldn't be powered by USB.
The UPB10 may seem a bit pricey at first, but with it's versatility and performance, to me it was worth every penny.
19 of 19 found the following review helpful:
A superb device Oct 20, 2007
By N. Kerem ERSOY
"Chillout Fan"
This is a fantastic device. The device comes with an USB output adapter it is directly plugged inti the adapter using the provided USB cable. This cable has a full size USB port on one end and a mini USB port at the other end. While charging full plug fits in the adapter and mini port is connected to the device input port. It has 4 built in LED's indicating the charging status. It is even possible to connect an USB device with an extra port for the pass-through mode. It can supply adapter power for both charging and the extra device. Once the charging is finished it will supply power to the device. All you do is to plug the full size connector to the outlet port over the device and small USB connector to your powering device. If you have a nonstandard cable you can directly plug it to the full size USB port. LED's will stop displaying remaining power after 10 seconds to conserve power. However it is possible to activate LED's again using the button located over the device. If no load is connected at the power port for 15 minutes the device goes into sleep mode to conserve battery. The included brochure says it can supply enough power for an iPOD up to 55 hours. The device is very lightweight and thin so very easy to jam in a pocket. It is absolutely worth for the money. The device is rated for 8W of continuous and 10W peak load.
APC UPB10 Mobile Power Pack for charging mobile devices
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
works great Jun 08, 2008
By Doofus The APC UPB10 power pack worked great throughout my trip around Europe. Between the iPhone battery and this external battery, I could pretty much watch movies all through 12-hour flights and 8-hour train rides. Also as a generic USB power supply, it can charge bluetooth headsets and other devices.
Other reviews have mentioned the need to press the button every 15 minutes to keep the power going, and that did cause me to hesitate a bit before ordering this product. However, I've found this to be the case only when the device I'm powering is already fully charged and no longer drawing much external power. In other words, it will fully charge a phone from empty unattended even if it takes 3 hours, but it will not continually power a fully-charged iPod because the power draw is too low, even when playing music or videos. Yes, maybe they could have had a switch, or maybe the threshold could be lower, but I felt it to be a non-issue once I understood what it was doing. I just use it as a charger and not a continuous power source.
This is a fantastic product, I highly recommend it.
21 of 24 found the following review helpful:
Excellent power "safety net" for road warriors Dec 14, 2007
By Dion Hinchcliffe
"Itinerant traveler through time and space"
I've had this product for a few weeks now and I have had a number of occasions to use it since I travel by air frequently. My need was to recharge my iPhone primarily, but also several other USB powered devices from time to time. APC should be commended for a lightweight, elegant battery solution that looks great and works just as well.
Here's how the APC UPB10 stacked up:
PROS:
- Very nice look and feel, looks very executive
- Solid overall construction and nice metal buttons
- Fashionable, 2.5 inch graduated charging LED
- Charges from a USB source itself, including a laptop, so no extra charger to be carried
- Has both mini USB and full size USB connector
- Surprisingly lightweight given the charge capacity (10W I believe)
- Can fast charge an iPhone as good as a wall connection
CONS:
- Charges only when main metal "on" button is pushed, not just by jacking in the plug, a very minor complaint
- Only charges 20 minutes at a time, then needs another goose of the button, though this makes sure you don't waste power but requires occasional attention
- Very slow recharging, can take hours, though this probably will make the battery live a lot longer
Bottom line, I would buy this product again in a heartbeat.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Great product Dec 13, 2007
By Howard Smith I bought this primarily to use during travel to extend the operating time of my iPhone. In my unofficial tests, this power pack completely recharged the iPhone (which was below 20% power) twice before needing to be plugged in itself. It's lightweight, simple to use, and it looks nice...what more could you ask? Buy one if you need to charge USB devices!
See all 68 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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