Verbatim AA Power Pack - Black

UPDATE to review: I liked the one I had so much I ordered another one from Amazon's "Warehouse Deals" (which are returns from other customers that have supposedly been checked and are OK). But it didn't work. Sent it back and ordered a brand-new one. That didn't work either. Gave it one more try (Amazon replaced the defective one) and this one does work reliably (along with the one I had originally). I still like this device best overall for semi-emergency use of recharging a cell phone, but it looks like some units are defective (I've changed from 5 to 4 stars on my review). You can tell right away if it is working: blue light emitted from the USB port when switched on. This light turns red when the batteries are getting low (at that point, possibly unable to add further charge to your phone.) Make sure to double-check that you inserted the (fresh, preferably Lithium) batteries correctly before returning a "defective" unit.As an addition to my review below, I've now tested and find I can get one full phone charge out of a set of Lithium batteries, plus maybe another 20% charge again later. Then the batteries are too low to use further for charging my Android phone.Original review:I use this with Energizer 9x Ultimate AA Lithium batteries, and it works very well to recharge my 2013-model Android phone. I like that I can use any length cable with its standard USB port. I'm no expert, but I suspect that some of the problems people have recharging phones from with this type of device come from 1. some other models only use 1 or 2 AA batteries, and don't generate enough current to effectively or repeatedly charge today's phones (which is why I like this model with 4 AA batteries.) 2. this model when used with alkalines or rechargeable batteries may not work as well (according to some reviews) as when using the more expensive but more reliable/powerful Lithiums. It may depend on how much current your particular phone is trying to draw when charging. Lithiums are designed for high-current devices (such as camera flash units, electronics, etc.) Also they last longer generally, are less prone to leak, and do not discharge over time, so can be left in devices for years until actually needed. (Not trying to make this a review of lithium batteries, but if you want this device to work the best, I recommend them.)I think the key here is to consider this an "emergency" charger, not really designed to be used every day for charging your phone. I carry mine when hiking to top off my phone on extended backpacking trips where I am also using the phone as a GPS which tends to run it down.

To use this, load in 4 AA batteries, I prefer Sanyo Eneloop NiMH cells. They seem to last longer, hold a charge longer, and also charge quicker than the equivalent cells from Energize, Rayovac, or Duracell. The battery cover is one of those that slides in from the side, but it is tricky because one has to push the cells in fully against their spring contacts before this can be done. Many times, I will put the cover on, and find that it only engaged on one side.There is a switch on the side to activate the output. When this is switched on, the translucent plastic around the jack glows either blue (fully charged cells) or red. (getting worn down) If it doesn't glow, then it means the cells haven't got enough juice to help charge.One thing I like about this in favor of the fancier, higher capacity, more expensive models is that it takes AAs instead of a proprietary lithium pack. AAs = it will never be obsolete, as long as there is something that can be charged by USB.I keep this in my bag that accompanies me to work all the time; it is perfect to charge my phone on the train commute home when my phone has run itself down by looking for a signal when in my pocket.Even with the cheap battery door design, it is worth the money. Just don't be too shy to invest in a set of Sanyo Eneloop batteries for it, and you'll get the most this little guy has to offer.

I bought the AA battery powered version of this charger after having had to rely on the generosity of a neighbor with a generator to keep my phone charged during the 4 days I was without power after hurricane Sandy. I had a single AA-powered charger that I had picked up as an impulse purchase at TJ Maxx that was pretty much totally useless, but I liked the idea of a battery-powered charger and figured that capacity (number of batteries) was the real issue.The tricky part of using this device is getting the battery cover back on after you install the batteries. Other reviewers have already mentioned that it's very difficult to determine the correct battery orientation - the markings inside the battery compartment are virtually unreadable under any lighting conditions due to reflections from the glossy black plastic case. But what is worse is trying to slide the cover back on, getting it set correctly in its grooves, while keeping the batteries compressed down on their spring connections. It took me so many tries that I almost gave up on ever being able to try out the charging capability - the cover either just slid off, or went on crooked, or didn't snap into place completely. I was afraid I was going to break it before I would ever get it put back on correctly.The picky part is that the unit seems to only work with the newest, freshest batteries you can possibly find. I put in a set of Duracell alkalines that were guaranteed fresh until 2017 and only got a 5% test recharge out of them before the unit's LED turned red indicating that the battery charges were too low to be used - then the LED refused to light at all implying that the batteries were drained. However, all of them subsequently tested fine on a battery charge tester and worked fine in a flashlight. I tried another set with the same 2017 date - and this time the LED lit up blue, indicating that they were good, but as soon as I plugged in my phone to charge, the LED changed immediately to red and shortly thereafter turned off and charging stopped. However, the batteries again tested fine and worked fine in a flashlight. I finally tried a set of batteries with a fresh through 2022 date and they actually worked - I was able to charge my HTCThunderbolt from 46% to 97% over the course of an hour or so (sorry - I didn't pay attention to the time). After that, the charger indicated that the batteries were drained - but once again, they tested just fine with a battery tester and worked fine in a flashlight.Bottom line, this charger does actually work and will re-charge a phone, but only if you have super fresh AA batteries to put into it - and even then it won't drain them completely, so they'll be usable for other purposes afterwards, but just not to keep charging your phone like you'd want or expect.

Power for iphone, ipod and camera while camping - runs from 4 AA batteries. Instructions are slightly not clear as to whether it will charge an ipad or not - outer packaging says it will, inner leafleat says not - as I don't have an ipad I can't test it...

A good device but it is quite chunky - it fits 4 AA batteries. It got me out of trouble recently and I would recommend it since it can use batteries. A small more compact unit like one from the Pebble brand might be easier to carry.

Many times when my phone Galaxy S4 runs out of battery this power pack helps me while in transient. I realy love it. Works great.

BRILLIANT LITTLE GADGET A MUST BUY.

I wanted a USB power pack that took AA batteries as I have loads of AA rechargeable. This device works fine and has a built in regulator to maintain the correct voltage. Using a set of 2900mah batteries from Seven Day Shop, it charged my tablet from nearly flat with enough power left to give a part charge to my smart phone. It should be born in mind that these types of charges are only around 70 % efficient so you will only get around 2000mah from a 2900mah set of rechargeable.When you first plug it into your phone to charge there is a blue LED around the USB socket which turns to red when the batteries are getting low. It will cut off the power before the batteries are completely drained.Added bonus is if you are away from home and need to charge the phone, you can buy AA virtually anywhere to get you out of trouble.