Maxell Backup Battery Pack for iPod; rated A+
I have to write this short rave for the Maxell Backup Battery Pack because it worked so far beyond my expectations, I am very happy with my purchase.
Interested in extending the battery life of my new iPod Touch for a long flight to Asia I set out reading about iPod battery packs. Ultimately I chose the Maxell Backup Battery Pack which I picked up from Target for $22.49 plus tax and shipping.
Most battery back-up packs for the iPod are actually batteries that you charge and then plug into your iPod to extend the iPod’s internal battery cycle. Each claim different operating times, attach in different ways and cost up to $99.
The Maxell Backup Battery Pack for iPod takes 4 AA batteries which are commonly available worldwide. I had no time to test this device before I left for Tokyo so I bought 16 batteries, put 4 into the Maxell Backup Battery Pack and left for the airport.
To make a really long story short, I don’t know how long this Maxell Backup Battery Pack will keep the new iPod Touch operating. I only used the back-up while in transit. After 24 hours of travel my iPod Touch remained fully charged and the back-up battery strength indicator, four small lights, showed half power remaining in the 4 AA batteries. I switched them out for the return flights to be safe and still came home carrying extra batteries. This back-up cost less than $30 with a set of AA batteries and exceeded expectations and product data sheets.
The Maxell backup battery comes with a mass of plastic designed to hold iPods other than the Touch. I didn’t care if it fit or not and threw away all but the battery pack which I sat on the seatback tray and leaned my iPod up against. Easily separated for carry in my pocket to reduce carry-on luggage; I think I was the only person with simply a passport, an iPod & headphones, this backup battery and a pack of gum for 22 hours of flights. (I carried a FOM neck pillow in my hand as my one carry-on.)
It worked for me and I used regular copper-tops.
For my upcoming flight to Brazil I am just going to install one pack of Lithium batteries and charge my iPod in between flights and while on tour. If I do need more AA batteries, they are sometimes easier to come by than an electric outlet.
It’s June ’08. My USB charger was surreptitiously removed from luggage during an American Airlines flight from Mexico yesterday.
I am heading to Peru for a week with only my Maxell Battery Back-up …and believe it or not, the same lithium energizer batteries installed in March. I’ll let you know how long I can sustain the iPod’s charge using this back-up when I return. Exciting and daunting… hmmm…
wkp said this on June 24, 2008 at 8:01 pm
How cool are the Apple vending machines in the airports? I got a new USB charger just before the flight to Lima, so I can’t tell you that I made it a week without a charger.
I used the Energizer e batteries in the back-up during flights. South America is only 8 hours, so I hardly needed the back-up. It was nice to have a fully charged pod when I landed though as my days were hectic.
One thing I learned this trip is: When you use share a movie and split the headphone jack for two earbuds, it drains the iPod much faster, so having the back-up allowed me to go beyond the 5 hour mark while sharing.
Still I have not drained the lithium batteries at all. This past trip added a good 20 hours of play time to this back-up charger.
wkp said this on July 18, 2008 at 10:12 am
Is your IPOD TOUCH 1st or 2nd gen?
eric said this on April 5, 2009 at 12:49 am
It came after the first run of 16GB ipods that didn’t come with the apps but before they released the 3G iphone and the current ipod touch.
It’s a 16GB model number MA627LL/B
admin said this on April 9, 2009 at 8:51 am