Traveling with a cell phone, iPod, digital camera, GPS or other powered mobile device is common practice. Most of the time, when the battery runs down, there is a place to plug it in and charge it: But, not always! Campers and travelers to less developed areas inevitably run into situations where they run out of power just when they really need it. Portable chargers (power banks) that store extra power which can be transferred, as needed, to other devices, are a boon and solution to these ultimately unavoidable dilemmas. In the growing field of portable power packs designed for this purpose, the Incredicharge I-500 is a very reasonable alternative.
The Incredicharge I-500 can be charged via the included USB connector of by a standard 5V/1000mA AC charger. The capacity of the battery is 5000Mah, plenty of power to charge up most small, portable devices. It comes equipped with the USB charging cable and an assortment of seven adapters that will allow it to be used with many common brands of electronic devices. (Sony Ericsson, iPhone, Nokia, PSP, Samsung and Mini- and Micro-USB.) The Incredicharge is fully loaded in about five hours via the USB charger and in about two using an AC charger.
The Incredicharge is pocket-size, measuring a diminutive 3.9 X 2.8 X .75 inches and weighing a mere 4.23 oz.
At full charge, the device remained fully ready after sitting in a drawer for several weeks and successfully recharged both a cell phone and a GPS during a recent, unexpected, power failure while travelling in Central America.
It has more easy-to-read display features than most of the competitors in this power/storage range. There are four LEDs that indicate how much of a charge is remaining as well as a very thoughtfully built-in bright little flash light to help you find the device you are looking for in the dark of a power failure at night! There is a simple and well identified power button. There are also two USB out ports so you can use the Incredicharge I-5000 to juice up two devices at one time!
This is the kind of device one hopes to never need, like an emergency first aid kit. But, when the circumstance comes when you do need one, it is a relief to find it charged and in your pocket or suitcase to save the day!
As an aside, the Incredicharge I-5000 is being featured at a deeply discounted price, on many internet sites. Check it out.