Travel Technology - USB battery charger

What's a good battery powered charger for USB devices (ipod, BB, etc.)? The Tekkeon Mobile Charger? Something else?

I'm a huge fan of this one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3732594&CatId=237

The pop-out miniUSB connector is brilliant. Comes with AC and car charger cords.

I have been using Sprint Power Pack whenever I go out of town and recently when I had power outage at home. it is nice, but you should not use it as your main charger. It charges your lithium ion battery in one stage instead of 2 stages. Therefore your device battery life becomes significantly shorter. more info on batteries and charging at www.batteryuniversity.com

PS you can get Sprint Power Pack on ebay for $12.99 shipped, then you just need a cable for your device.

The Sprint sounds a bit dangerous. The Duracell seems nice, although the Tekkeon has the advantage of working with AA batteries

http://www.tekkeon.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=13

The Sprint sounds a bit dangerous. The Duracell seems nice, although the Tekkeon has the advantage of working with AA batteries

http://www.tekkeon.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=13

Richarddd,

Why do you say that Sprint Power Pack is scary? Is it because that I mention that it uses a 1 stage charging process?

I've been using the Tekkeon for about a year (the last model) and it has come in handy many many times for a variety of devices.

I've got one of these:

http://www.premiumpowerproducts.com/Products/PowerBank.htm

and I've been happy with it. Charges from AC or via USB (laptop, no drivers), comes with tips for a wide variety of devices (iPod, Motorola, Treo, mini-USB, standard USB, etc). Most importantly for me, it is iPhone 3G compatible, and has enough power for about 2-3 full charges of the phone.

The one brick-and-mortar place I've seen it is Fry's.

I really like my powermonkey .... ^

https://powertraveller.com/

Obviously great for the European-based guys ...

The powermonkey is great. Charges ipod, cell, Kindle, GPS and others with one power cord and will charge on its own when out of the room. A US and European interchangeable adapter came with mine. I don't leave home without it!!!

Ned

Why do you say that Sprint Power Pack is scary? Is it because that I mention that it uses a 1 stage charging process?

Because you say "Therefore your device battery life becomes significantly shorter." I took that to mean it harmed the battery's capacity. Did I misread?

Because you say "Therefore your device battery life becomes significantly shorter." I took that to mean it harmed the battery's capacity. Did I misread?

Yes you did interpret my post correctly. However, most of the aftermarket chargers are that way. The best is to use OEM charger for most of your charges and aftermarket one only whenever it is necessary. This applies to all electronics that use lithium ion batteries.

PS: all the above mentioned battery chargers are more likely 1 stage chargers and also much smaller capacity the Sprint Power Pack which is 2200mAH and is enough to fully charge my Treo 800w 2 times

I've also been very happy with the tekkeon.

I'm a huge fan of this one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3732594&CatId=237

The pop-out miniUSB connector is brilliant. Comes with AC and car charger cords.

Can anyone confirm if the Duracell PowerSource Mini will charge an iPhone 3G through its 2nd USB port?
In other words, using the correct cable, does it provide the correct voltage, etc.? The specs posted for the device are sketchy and I can find no review that speaks to the 3G.

Can anyone confirm if the Duracell PowerSource Mini will charge an iPhone 3G through its 2nd USB port?
In other words, using the correct cable, does it provide the correct voltage, etc.? The specs posted for the device are sketchy and I can find no review that speaks to the 3G.

I can charge the new iPhone and the iPod touch using the USB port and the Apple cable. It also charges the Blackberry.

I can charge the new iPhone and the iPod touch using the USB port and the Apple cable. It also charges the Blackberry.

A good rule of thumb is that any USB-based charging solution that claimed to work with Blackberries should work with the 3G iPhone. Since both devices require negotiation to enter high-power charging mode, any charger that supplies the right voltage on the data lines should suffice.

FWIW, I built my own "universal" cable. It's a USB extension cable cut down to 6" or so, with a couple of resistors and some perfboard in the middle to get voltage on the data lines. That way, I can work with any generic USB port.

I also modded a 12V -> USB cig lighter adapter to put the right voltage on as a universal charger.

Thank you ScottC and bdjohns1 for your prompt replies. I have ordered one for my upcoming TATL trip.
Ciao! (heading for MXP, in case you wondered..!)