APC (American Power Conversion) Universal Battery, Lithium Polymer 10Wh

Love it!

Strengths: Sleek looking; hold charge for a long time

Weaknesses: Expensive; needs a carrying pouch

Summary: I was taking a long plane trip, and would not have the chance to charge up my iPod in between legs. This seemed like a great option, as the alternatives had AA batteries. [I had one of those Belkin iPod battery packs, and it was awful!]

It has a removable AC plug, which clips into the underside of the battery pack. This allows the battery pack to remain sleek when in use. I assume they have different AC plugs, depending upon the country you buy the unit in. It would be nice had they included other plugs, so when you go travelling internationally, you could plug it in directly. I had to use an adapter plug to convert the US plug to a European plug. Just don't lose it, or you'll be out of luck! But if you do (!!), you can also charge the unit with the included USB cable via a computer's USB port. This is similar to how the iPod can be charged.

Okay, enough background. How does it work? Wonderfully! I went on a 10-hour flight over to Europe, and never ran out of juice. And that says alot, because I was watching video, and using the iPod's screen alot. It worked the same for the return trip, though I did charge it before heading home.

You can also use it to charge up a cell phone or blackberry, as long as they have a USB plub as a charger. I'm not sure whether APC offers different cables.

Overally, I am extremely satisfied. My only knock is that the pack is quite expensive.

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Universal Battery

Strengths: - small size - lots of power - easy to recharge while traveling

Weaknesses: - operating/test button too exposed....too easy to depress while packing...might cause inadvertant discharge?

Summary: I find the Universal Battery(Lithium Polymer 10Wh) very versatile. I've used it to recharge my cell phone/PDA completely during a 2 hour flight. It still had plenty of power left for my iPod.

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APC Universal Battery 10Wh

Strengths: Very slim; compact power pack; mini USB connector; 10Wh.

Weaknesses: Lacking a car charging cable.

Summary: I use the APC UPB10 as a convenient source of backup power for many portable devices such as PDA, cell phone and GPS. The UPB10 puts out 5V at 1.5A through a convenient mini USB connector. It is also charged through the same mini USB connector with an included AC charger which delivers 5V at 1A. Most GPS PNAs nowadays use a mini USB connector for charging. So they could be used hand in hand with the UPB10 to extend their battery hours. APC should have included some adapters for different standard tips to make the UPB10 more universal with many more portable devices which do not use the mini USB connector.

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APC Portable Battery Power

Strengths: Sleek looking; portable; long life

Weaknesses: Costs alot!

Summary: I was trying to choose between this unit from APC, and a much cheaper unit from Black & Decker. I ended up with this one, due to the APC brand name. I'm satisfied with my purchase. I've used it to keep my iPod going while on long plane trips. It's even saved the day on a trip in Europe, when the cigarette lighter was not working in the rental car, so it kept the GPS powered! My only knocks are that it should have had some sort of protective case, and it's pretty expensive.

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APC UPB10 Universal Battery Lithium Polymer 10Wh

Strengths: Sleek, slim, compact power pack.

Weaknesses: Does not come with a car charging cable.

Summary: APC UPB10 is a convenient source of backup power if you regularly use a portable device such as a PDA, cell phone, GPS and PSP. Any 5V device using a USB connector could be recharged by the UPB10 which outputs 5V at up to 1.5A. The unit comes with an AC charger delivers 5V at 1A to charge the UPB10. Although it does not come with a car charger, you can use the supplied regular USB to mini USB cable with any standard USB car charger to refill the UPB10. You will also find that most GPS car charger is compatible to charge UPB10. And therefore, you could use UPB10 to recharge your GPS when travelling on foot for several hours in a trail or a city walking tour. I wish that APC also supply some adapters to many popular standard connectors.

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APC UPB10 Universal Battery (10Wh)

Strengths: Slim and compact for travelling; use lithium polymer instead of lithium ion.

Weaknesses: Capacity not more than 10Wh; Only a USB port available and no other adapters.

Summary: The APC UPB10 universal battery is a very convenient source of backup power for those who travel with many portable devices and gadgets such as cell phone, PDA, GPS, digital camera, .... However, buyer should beware that the UPB10 does not come with any adapters for different types of connectors beyond the standard USB port. I have found another P M brand which supplies a large variety of assorted adapters for the most common portable devices on the market. APC should have done the same to include at least a few more tip adapters beyond the single standard USB port to make its product more useful and competitive.

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Great Idea, maybe not so great implementation

Strengths: Simple to use, battery level meter, good capacity

Weaknesses: very expensive, power button is too exposed, Reliability problem

Summary: These types of units are great as backup power supplies when AC or other DC power is not available. I have used it to recharge everything from PDAs to cellphones to bluetooth headsets. Anything that can be recharged from a USB plug can be charged from this. For the amount of power this unit holds (10 Watt-hours) it is very small and light. It is great for those really long airplane flights.

The only problems I have had with this unit are:

(1) The charge level button is very exposed and thus it is easy for it to be activated accidentally. I have had cases where I pulled it out to charge something only to find it is mostly or completely drained from displaying the power level.

(2) My unit completely died a few days past one year -- the warranty period.

There are similar units made by competitors that are significantly cheaper and do not have the exposed power button. So far, the other units are still working while this one has died.

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