• Comments (12)

    • 4
      writermak - November 14, 2020

      I’m fairly new to prepping and your website has been incredible.  Thank you!  I have a question about this article, did anybody compare/test the eneloop batteries (best rechargeable) with the Nitecore UMS4 USB (best USB charger)?  The eneloop comes with the charger but I wanted to make sure my USB option for solar would work with them as well. 

      • 7
        Gideon ParkerStaff - November 14, 2020

        I am so glad that you are enjoying our website! Thank you for checking out our different articles and for commenting here.

        The Eneloop batteries and the Nitecore charger will be an excellent choice! Even though you say you are new to prepping, it sounds like you have a great prepper mentality of thinking about your solar options and how to charge your devices. You are on the right track!

        What kind of solar were you planning on using the Nitecore with? The Nitecore is rated to work with Input: DC 5V/2A or 12V/1.5A 18W(MAX). So as long as your panel can produce this, you will be good.

        We do have another article about the best portable solar panels that would work great with the Nitecore and Eneloop. Most of the panels from this article can power up to 5V/2.4A. I personally have this panel, and know that it has more than enough power to charge batteries and another device at the same time.

        And then I just also wanted to make sure that you saw our article about the best portable power banks. A power bank can be useful to charge up with your panel and then charge the Nitecore and Eneloops, cell phone, tablet, and more when there is little sun or during the night.

      • 3
        writermak - November 14, 2020

        Thanks for replying so quickly.  Your suggestions are great!  I was looking at the portable solar panels the other day as well and was leaning toward the Cheotech 19W that is in the article.  I will have to look more closely at the Big Blue 3.  I already have a NOVOO Explorer and I love it!

      • 6
        Gideon ParkerStaff - November 14, 2020

        The Cheotech 19W panel in the article is a great choice! Guess I just wanted the larger one with more watts. But it does come at a higher price and is not as portable as the Cheotech. 

      • 6
        writermak - November 14, 2020

        Larger with more watts is not a bad thing plus it does have an extra USB port over the Cheotech 19W.  You’ve given me a little more to think about and figure out which would work better for what I may need.  Thank you!

    • 6
      Akin - May 4, 2021

      This is one of several of your articles that has been extremely helpful to me.  Thanks!

      Question though… have you guys ever looked at the La Crosse BC1000 Alpha Power Battery Charger?  I actually have two of them and I use them all the time.  The thing I really like it it has a refresh mode as well as a test mode.  Test mode will drain batteries, then charge them fully, then tell you how much juice they’re each holding… when one of your batteries is loosing capacity, you can use the refresh mode, which drains and charges repeatedly until it judges that it’s restored as much capacity as it can.

      It only fits AA and AAA, though, so, that’s definitely a negative compared to, say, the Nitecore charger.

      Anyway… just curious, as I don’t think any of the chargers you recommend has a test and refresh mode.

      Maybe time to update the article?  😀

      Thanks!

      (BTW I’m not affiliated with La Crosse in any way, I just like that charger of theirs!  Also that’s *not* any kind of affiliate link)

      • 2
        Supersonic - May 5, 2021

        I haven’t heard of the La Crosse Alpha Power, nice suggestion. I’m a tech nerd and love seeing new things. It does look like the superior model to the article’s next comparable model the $50 Opus BT – C3100. Do you feel like the refresh and test mode are worth an additional $40? 

      • 1
        Akin - May 5, 2021

        They’re a lot cheaper at Amazon.  You also get a case and eight rechargeable batteries (four each AA and AAA).  They’re nothing compared to Eneloops, but whatever.

      • 5
        Akin - May 5, 2021

        Ya know what, I just re-read the description of that BT-C3100.  Looks like it has a test mode and reconditioning as well.

        I could *swear* that when I looked into it before, it didn’t mention anything like that before.  Huh.

        Also, on Amazon, some of the reviews mention issues with the cooling fan.  I’m not even sure if my La Crosse ones have a fan…

        Given that it also will charge 18650s, I may need to re-evaluate.

        Still wouldn’t mind an update to the article for 2021…

      • 5
        Gideon ParkerStaff - May 7, 2021

        Akin – Thank you for the recommendation. We periodically go over articles and update them for the latest and greatest recommended products and this article is on our radar.

      • 2
        Akin - November 6, 2022

        If you guys ever do update this article, Nitecore has a new charger that runs off of USB-C which might  be worth looking at… https://charger.nitecore.com/product/ci4

        The display appears to have a lot less information on it, but if it runs off of USB-C it should have a lot more power.  Then again, if we’re running it off of solar in the field, that might be a moot point since a lot less power will be available.  *shrug*

    • 2
      TraceContributor - August 3, 2021

      Thanks for the information. I’m in need  of a new (better) battery charger and I came to TP to see if you had one — & here I am. Good recommendations that I will be following! (You guys have become the first place I check for gear reviews & recommendations.)