Features
Power bank chargers are the mode of choice relative to the legacy on-the-go solutions of finding an outlet to plug in a wall charger or swapping out the cellphone battery for a spare fully charged one; the drawbacks of wall charging are obvious, replacing cellphone batteries can be a big hassle (certainly the case for my Evo Design 4G), and they tend to be poor investments in that they are almost never compatible with other cellphones one might migrate to in the future, let alone enable on to charge another device such as a tablet or MP3 player. This PowerGen 5200mAh power bank charger represents for me the optimal balance of physical format, charging capacity, and price:
- It is compact and lightweight, yet has the capacity for 2-3 full charges of a typical current smartphone such as my HTC Evo Design 4G.
- It sits well in the hand for using the built-in flashlight capability yet slides into and fits easily even in relatively small pockets.
- Its capacity to provide several cellphone charges before needing to re-charge the battery pack seems sufficient for most users, and its compact size and reasonable weight relative to those aspects of most smartphones means one is less likely to leave it behind when out and about. This combination makes far more sense for most users' needs than the more expensive, higher capacity chargers that often exceed the size and weight of one's phone itself.
Function
The unit's user interface is nicely designed, with well thought out LED status indicators and straightforward on/off and flashlight control functions, and the charger has worked well for me. One needs to have reasonable expectations for how long it takes to fully re-charge a depleted smartphone battery (it is certainly not instantaneous), but one is able to use most phones while charging and it is not too cumbersome to hold both the charger and phone in one hand when immediate phone use is necessary. In terms of appearance, it is a sleek and attractive unit, especially with the slick looking blue LEDs.
Improvement Suggestion
Since the power bank employs a micro-USB interface for charging it back up, it would be nice to package 2 micro-USB adapter tips with the unit. This would enable users whose cellphones use a micro-USB charging interface to keep an adapter on each of the provided cables: both the short cable for connecting the power bank to the phone while out and about, and the longer cable that permits re-charging the power bank itself and is probably left at home by most users under daily usage conditions. This would make it easier to recharge the unit in case one misplaces the relatively tiny short cable after having attached the micro-USB adapter tip, and would also reduce the risk of heading back out with the short cable minus the adapter tip.
Overall Assessment
A great external power bank charger that relieves worries about running out of juice when on-the-go, especially under high battery depleting cellphone conditions like 4G use in mission-critical applications like trying to redeem a Groupon or Living Social coupon via smartphone app while in a restaurant. At a price $6 less than what I paid just a couple of months ago on Amazon, this PowerGen charger represents excellent value.
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Product information
| Product Dimensions | 5.3 x 2.7 x 1 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 7.2 ounces |
| ASIN | B005VBNYDS |
| Item model number | PGMPP5200-BK |
| Customer Reviews |
3.7 out of 5 stars |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Special features | Travel |
| Other display features | Wireless |
| Manufacturer | Waainnre |
| Date First Available | October 15, 2011 |
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2012
