thanks I was thinking to buy the kensington pack but after reading this thread I have changed my mind: I go with the iMax
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Imax Battery Extender?
- Thread starter gmagnes
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Very interesting thread. But I have some comments, concerns.
Obviously the number one reason for buying an external battery is power/longevity. To that extant, one should buy at least a 1900mAh. There are number of these on eBay and elsewhere.
The Imax has certainly gotten great reviews and it has plenty of reserve power and would likely be a good choice for this type of battery/charger.
However, is this the most useful charger for most iPhone users?
People in this thread recommending the iMax talk about the convenience of not having to take all the cables and paraphernalia with them on the road. But all one needs to carry is the USB cable (which I would take with no matter what) and the tiny wall charger. That isn't much to carry.
There are outlets everywhere and it's no big deal to plug in the iPhone when needed.
What I would think is more useful, is that I have a battery I can pop in my pocket or a bag and attach to the iPhone when it is running down. With something like the iMax, how do you use the phone? The cable isn't long enough to pop the battery in your pocket while using the phone. So, really, it is just another way of charger the phone battery--albeit convenient because you can just do it while the phone is in your briefcase. But, you cannot really use the phone as a phone on a holster or in your pocket while it is charging.
That would seem to be a major drawback as I see it. And the cables and dongles are more intrusive that the original Apple charger and cable.
What makes more sense to me is one of the other two options:
1. a plug in battery like the Richard Solo or any number of knockoffs on eBay for as little at $16. With these you can at least still hold your phone up to your face and use it as a phone.
Yes, the capacity is less but at least you still have a phone.
2. the jacket type of chargers.
eg: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Portable-power-s...66:2|39:1|72:1215|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50
these allow you to use the phone as well and are even more convenient in that regard than the Richard Solo types that hang off the bottom of the phone. And at $22 they are pretty cheap and at 2400mAh pack a bit of power.
I know they add weight and bulk to the phone--but surely the iMax, with its cords, dongles and weight, are no less convenient.
At least with these you can just put on the case and away you go. The phone retains all its usefulness while charging.
Any comments on these observations?
Obviously the number one reason for buying an external battery is power/longevity. To that extant, one should buy at least a 1900mAh. There are number of these on eBay and elsewhere.
The Imax has certainly gotten great reviews and it has plenty of reserve power and would likely be a good choice for this type of battery/charger.
However, is this the most useful charger for most iPhone users?
People in this thread recommending the iMax talk about the convenience of not having to take all the cables and paraphernalia with them on the road. But all one needs to carry is the USB cable (which I would take with no matter what) and the tiny wall charger. That isn't much to carry.
There are outlets everywhere and it's no big deal to plug in the iPhone when needed.
What I would think is more useful, is that I have a battery I can pop in my pocket or a bag and attach to the iPhone when it is running down. With something like the iMax, how do you use the phone? The cable isn't long enough to pop the battery in your pocket while using the phone. So, really, it is just another way of charger the phone battery--albeit convenient because you can just do it while the phone is in your briefcase. But, you cannot really use the phone as a phone on a holster or in your pocket while it is charging.
That would seem to be a major drawback as I see it. And the cables and dongles are more intrusive that the original Apple charger and cable.
What makes more sense to me is one of the other two options:
1. a plug in battery like the Richard Solo or any number of knockoffs on eBay for as little at $16. With these you can at least still hold your phone up to your face and use it as a phone.
Yes, the capacity is less but at least you still have a phone.
2. the jacket type of chargers.
eg: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Portable-power-s...66:2|39:1|72:1215|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50
these allow you to use the phone as well and are even more convenient in that regard than the Richard Solo types that hang off the bottom of the phone. And at $22 they are pretty cheap and at 2400mAh pack a bit of power.
I know they add weight and bulk to the phone--but surely the iMax, with its cords, dongles and weight, are no less convenient.
At least with these you can just put on the case and away you go. The phone retains all its usefulness while charging.
Any comments on these observations?
=MuLti-CeLL=
macrumors 6502a
Can anyone tell me if you can charge your iPhone with a case on?
I have an Otterbox Defender and I hardly ever take my phone out of it's case so if I have to constantly take it out to charge then this will not be a good option for me.
The Apple usb charger fits fine through my case. I was just wondering because in the video the adapter looks a little bulky at the end and I'm afraid it won't fit through my cases dock access.
Thanx.
I have an Otterbox Defender and I hardly ever take my phone out of it's case so if I have to constantly take it out to charge then this will not be a good option for me.
The Apple usb charger fits fine through my case. I was just wondering because in the video the adapter looks a little bulky at the end and I'm afraid it won't fit through my cases dock access.
Thanx.
steve knight
macrumors 68030
the battery has a standard usb plug so you can use any cable you want I use a apple cable that locks in.
Thanks you just answered my question.
I would like to know if I can use the USB cable that comes with the iPhone to with the IMP500.
Sounds like I can: I don't like the iMax cable so I will go the the Apple one.
Have a good 1!
IMP500 works for latest 3Gs iphone too!
I bought my wife an 3Gs iphone 16GB as a gift. She loved it so much and she loved video recording and google earth the most. I am very happy to see IMP500 can charge 3Gs iphone as well. Google earth and GPS application Drain battery like crazy. If we turn on GPS or google earth, battery can only last 2 hours. If loaded a GolfGPS application into it, you cannot finish first 5 holes. It looked iphone with any GPS application need a strong battery backup.
By the way, just use any cable come with your smart phone, it works fine with imp500.
I bought my wife an 3Gs iphone 16GB as a gift. She loved it so much and she loved video recording and google earth the most. I am very happy to see IMP500 can charge 3Gs iphone as well. Google earth and GPS application Drain battery like crazy. If we turn on GPS or google earth, battery can only last 2 hours. If loaded a GolfGPS application into it, you cannot finish first 5 holes. It looked iphone with any GPS application need a strong battery backup.
By the way, just use any cable come with your smart phone, it works fine with imp500.
Dumb question: how do you use the phone with all that hardware hanging off it?
If you want to use the phone while it is charging (as opposed to just using this thing to charge while the phone is on your desk or in a bag) wouldn't a jacket type charger (like Mophie, Mili, etc) be more useful?
Rayfire
macrumors 68030
I usually use it more while it's on a desk or it's in my pocket, then if I really need to use the phone (like talk while talking towards the kichen) I just simply unplug and use it. Sometimes though, thanks to the cord, I can just pull and uncoil the cord to lengthen so I could use the phone on my hands while the charger is on the desk (or inside my pocket)
SquareHead
macrumors newbie
I just received my iMax in the mail. I ordered the unit on Sunday evening after reading this thread, and it arrived today. I will run it through the paces this weekend, but I'm very happy with the size and the overall quality of the product.
alexmadison
macrumors member
Forget about buying those cases or that FM Transmitter for the iPhone 3G. You are better off initially investing your hard earned money on an iPhone 3G battery extender. I don't give a rats @ss how conservative you are or how exact you are at following Apple's suggestions for "extending" the iPhone 3G's battery life. Your iPhone 3G will most likely run out of juice before you quit for the day.
Fully agree
My 3Gs iPhone battery life is not better than 3G iphone, especially watch youtube video. I fully agree with you better invest a good 3G iphone battery extender!🙂
My 3Gs iPhone battery life is not better than 3G iphone, especially watch youtube video. I fully agree with you better invest a good 3G iphone battery extender!🙂
the imax battery is $75US shipped to Canada. Although its 5000mah is a good size, that's a lot of money for an external battery.
surely one can get near that capacity for a lot less.
surely one can get near that capacity for a lot less.
Great Product - Better Customer Service
I bought the power battery from IMAX POWER for a recent trip. I charged it once. I have since recharged my Iphone 3 times and it still has power to go.
Great product.
The customer service from the company is WONDERFUL. I had a response to a question with in one hour if that. They were great.
Will buy from them again.
They were very accomodating to my special needs and went above and beyond to make me happy. They went further than most internet companies would.
I bought the power battery from IMAX POWER for a recent trip. I charged it once. I have since recharged my Iphone 3 times and it still has power to go.
Great product.
The customer service from the company is WONDERFUL. I had a response to a question with in one hour if that. They were great.
Will buy from them again.
They were very accomodating to my special needs and went above and beyond to make me happy. They went further than most internet companies would.
Do you think Sanyo KBC-L2S is the same?
I've been searching for high capacity battery extension for my iPhone and any USB powered products and finally see the imp500. But I know that the Sanyo Eneloop also has a 5000 mAh USB charger with 2 standard USB output. The Model Number is KBC-L2S. It's selling for $38.95 in Amazon. Can anybody compare the Sanyo KBC-L2S and the IMP500??
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247179716&sr=8-26
The Sanyo KBC-L2S has 500 mA 5V USB output, what's IMP500's current output? Can it charges HTC phones too?
I've been searching for high capacity battery extension for my iPhone and any USB powered products and finally see the imp500. But I know that the Sanyo Eneloop also has a 5000 mAh USB charger with 2 standard USB output. The Model Number is KBC-L2S. It's selling for $38.95 in Amazon. Can anybody compare the Sanyo KBC-L2S and the IMP500??
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247179716&sr=8-26
The Sanyo KBC-L2S has 500 mA 5V USB output, what's IMP500's current output? Can it charges HTC phones too?
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
The Sanyo has 500 mA 5V output, the IMP500 has 10 times more, 5000 mA.
See the specs at http://www.imaxpower.com
You misunderstand me
IMP500 capacity is 5000 mAh not the USB output current.
The website never disclose the information on the USB output current. So far the USB charges I've seen are 1.5 A for HTC phone, iPhone 3GS wall charger is 1A, Jawbone is 550mA. I don't think it can output 5000mA = 5A. That is just too dangerous for USB devices.
The Sanyo has 5000 mAh Li-ION capacity and 500 mA USB output current.
IMP500 capacity is 5000 mAh not the USB output current.
The website never disclose the information on the USB output current. So far the USB charges I've seen are 1.5 A for HTC phone, iPhone 3GS wall charger is 1A, Jawbone is 550mA. I don't think it can output 5000mA = 5A. That is just too dangerous for USB devices.
The Sanyo has 5000 mAh Li-ION capacity and 500 mA USB output current.
I know that the Sanyo eneloop rechargeable batteries have an excellent reputation for maintaining their charge over a long period of time. I assume this battery has the same technology.
And the previous post is correct: the capacity is 5000mAh. The output refers to how it discharges into another device.
This is definitely a much better buy than the imaxpower and it's from a very reputable battery maker. They both weigh the same.
Why pay $58 when $38 will do!
Thanks for the tip, although I think I'm going to buy an iPower battery jacket-type with 2400mAh on eBay for $24U.S.
But I might consider the Sanyo based on what I just read on Amazon. Where has this product been hiding?
And the previous post is correct: the capacity is 5000mAh. The output refers to how it discharges into another device.
This is definitely a much better buy than the imaxpower and it's from a very reputable battery maker. They both weigh the same.
Why pay $58 when $38 will do!
Thanks for the tip, although I think I'm going to buy an iPower battery jacket-type with 2400mAh on eBay for $24U.S.
But I might consider the Sanyo based on what I just read on Amazon. Where has this product been hiding?
But I'm worried about the output current is only 500mA from the Sanyo. I remember my old HTC 8525 needed 1.5 mA.
The Bluepack S3 from Richardsolo has 1mA but it's less capacity and expensive.
About output current
I know that the minimum output current for 3Gs iPhone is 550mA at 5V. I checked my imp500, the output current is 600mA at 5V, which is just perfect for the iphone. It is also stated in its site.
http://www.imaxpower.com/iPhone-Battery-s/16.htm
500mA @ 5V may be too low.
I know that the minimum output current for 3Gs iPhone is 550mA at 5V. I checked my imp500, the output current is 600mA at 5V, which is just perfect for the iphone. It is also stated in its site.
http://www.imaxpower.com/iPhone-Battery-s/16.htm
500mA @ 5V may be too low.
Is Sanyo KBC-L2S compatible with 3Gs iphone?
I did some research for this product (Sanyo KBC-L2S) and wonder if it is compaitble with 3Gs iPhone. 500mA at 5V is too low for 3G and 3Gs iphone. It can only work for the first generation iPhone.
I did some research for this product (Sanyo KBC-L2S) and wonder if it is compaitble with 3Gs iPhone. 500mA at 5V is too low for 3G and 3Gs iphone. It can only work for the first generation iPhone.
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The RichardSolo 1800 outputs at 500mA and this is apple certified to work with the 3G and 3GS. Don't know why some of you guys think 500mA is too low. Maybe 600mA is too high.
http://richardsolo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=326
http://richardsolo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=326
The iPhone 3GS AC charger outputs at 1A, so I assume 500 mA is half the speed.
I have found the experiment using the Sanyo KBC-L2S on Youtube:
It clearly shows that the Sanyo is able to charge the phone from Red Thunder icon to Green Battery Icon:
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9waQL6wWCI
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N3AOwhPtqQ
I purchased the Sanyo KBC-L2S. I'm crossing my fingers to hope it works as the YouTube video.
I have found the experiment using the Sanyo KBC-L2S on Youtube:
It clearly shows that the Sanyo is able to charge the phone from Red Thunder icon to Green Battery Icon:
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9waQL6wWCI
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N3AOwhPtqQ
I purchased the Sanyo KBC-L2S. I'm crossing my fingers to hope it works as the YouTube video.
500mA to 1A will be fine
Okay, after contacted Apple technique support, we fount that 500mA output current shall work fine with iPHone 3G and 3Gs but the charging speed will be slower. For AC charger provided by Apple, 1A output is the maximum current from AC charger. The real charging current can be somewhere from 500A to 750mA, it really depends on the iphone battery level. At very low battery level like 5 to 10 %, charging current from AC charger can be as high as 750mA. if battery level is close to full, the charging current from AC charger canl be as low as 500mA. Anything from 500mA to 750mA shall be fine for the charging current. 1A shall work also, maybe a little too high.
Okay, after contacted Apple technique support, we fount that 500mA output current shall work fine with iPHone 3G and 3Gs but the charging speed will be slower. For AC charger provided by Apple, 1A output is the maximum current from AC charger. The real charging current can be somewhere from 500A to 750mA, it really depends on the iphone battery level. At very low battery level like 5 to 10 %, charging current from AC charger can be as high as 750mA. if battery level is close to full, the charging current from AC charger canl be as low as 500mA. Anything from 500mA to 750mA shall be fine for the charging current. 1A shall work also, maybe a little too high.
It Died
I received my imaxpower last week, charged it and used it to charge my iPhone 3GS. It charged it 4 times before it ran out of juice.
I tried to recharge the imaxpower pack and it will not charge. The charger (not the imaxpower) gets very hot and the lights will not turn on showing the recharge progress like it did when I received it.
I received my imaxpower last week, charged it and used it to charge my iPhone 3GS. It charged it 4 times before it ran out of juice.
I tried to recharge the imaxpower pack and it will not charge. The charger (not the imaxpower) gets very hot and the lights will not turn on showing the recharge progress like it did when I received it.
Rayfire
macrumors 68030
Odd, I've been using mine since last year and it hasn't died on me yet. I suggest contacting them for a replacement for yours. Mine still charges my iPhone for roughly 4.5x and I'm highly satisfied with it.