Power Monkey Kit

Few of us would like to live without our instant connectivity and information portals through smart-phones, i-Pads, sat-navs, computers and various other devices, all of which have become integral parts of our working and social lives.

The one thing that ties all these products together is the need for an energy supply. Most use extended life re-chargeable batteries that can easily be charged at home or work. However, more and more we are taking our devices into the field for sporting use, or into far flung locations during work or holidays. The problem here is that there may not be such easy access to recharging facilities when out and about in the wild – or even when hunting or camping in relatively civilised areas.

Enter Powertraveller, a company that designs, develops and manufactures an award winning range of portable power and solar chargers for electronic devices.  Designed in the UK and tested to destruction in some of the world’s most inhospitable environments, the products in Powertraveller’s range are capable of charging anything from cell phones (including iPhone and BlackBerry) and iPods through to Sat Navs, GPS systems, cameras, iPads and laptops. You can even get portable power to a dead car battery - no kidding.

MotorMonkey

I was first introduced to Powertraveller a few years a go when I bought an Olympus all-weather camera, which in a promotion included a Powertraveller ‘MotorMonkey’ charger kit (RRP £20). Over the years this has proved to be a fantastic accessory – kept in the car’s glovebox - that allows you to charge virtually any small portable device by connecting it to your car’s ‘cigar lighter’ (aux. power socket) via the MotorMonkey’s USB port, a retractable USB connector, and a selection of ‘MonkeyNut’ tips to fit a range of popular phones and other devices.  Various other tips can be picked up at very reasonable money.

PowerMonkey Discovery

What if you haven’t got a car?  Perhaps you’re cycling to work, or half way through a stalk, and you realise your phone is dead – what then?  Why not try thePowerMonkey Discovery (RRP £40); this device is about the same size as a smart-phone, and is supplied fully charged and ready to go. It will tuck away easily into a pocket in jacket or rucksack.

The Discovery is a 3500mAh lithium polymer battery housed in a stylish satin finish aluminium case. The PowerMonkey Discovery will recharge an iPhone twice, standard mobile phones 3-4 times, or give iPods / MP3 players up to an additional 120 hours playtime, before it will require recharging itself.  It is also compatible with e-readers, Sat Navs, handheld games consoles, portable GPS systems and more!  This portable power bank is supplied with a USB to micro USB charging cable only, but other adaptor tips are available. iPhones and iPads will require the USB sync/charge cable supplied by Apple with your device. 

Recessed LED lights indicate the power stored in the unit (6 green lights show the unit is fully charged) and when it needs to be recharged the last LED will turn red. Recharge the PowerMonkey Discovery via your computer’s USB port using the USB to micro USB charging cable (included).  A universal ‘mains’ charger is available as an extra if required.

Control of the Discovery is via the metal on/off button located at the top of the unit, whilst the USB port has built-in self-sensing technology to optimise the charging parameters for the iPhone and other smartphones.

MiniGorilla

For higher power outputs, check out the MiniGorilla (£99.95) which will charge iPads (via the Apple cable supplied with the iPad) or the Samsung Galaxy Tablet, e-readers, camcorders, mobile phones and many more electronic products that require a 19V DC input or less The MiniGorilla is supplied with a universal AC mains charger that works in over 150 countries around the world, a protective neoprene carry case and a whole host of MonkeyNuts to allow connectivity to the most popular of electronic products.

SolarMonkey Adventurer

OK, what if you are well away from home or indeed civilisation?  Well luckily you will always be roughly the same distance from that big yellow ball of energy in the sky – the sun.

The SolarMonkey Adventurer (£75) is essentially a compact folding solar cell with a 2500MAH solar-compatible internal battery wrapped up in a waterproof travel case. In optimum light conditions, the battery can be charged by the solar panels in just 8 to 12 hours. It comes with a USB-out slot and power-in socket along with the old flat/multi-slot Apple connecter with USB end along with a 80cm USB adaptor cable for direct charging. To compliment this is a series of dedicated mobile phone/device connectors and an alloy carabineer to clip it to your gear.

To use, open up the panels and place in the sunlight, which will start charging the battery (3 watt max.), a green light appears when fully charged. It can simultaneously charge the unit and recharge a device via the USB port. You can also plug in a device and use the power direct. It’s easy to have it hanging off your pack as you walk - charging as you go. It features auto-load, self sensing switching technology, meaning when a device is connected, the Adventurer will automatically start to charge your device and will optimise the charging parameters required. Given that so much of our equipment is powered by internal batteries, the Adventurer means no more worries about being away from a mains plug.

PowerMonkey Extreme 12v

Need more power? How about the PowerMonkey Extreme 12v (£120).  This houses a massive 9000mAh capacity Lithium Polymer battery in a rugged, compact, durable shell. The unit is capable of recharging most 5V devices through a USB socket and now there’s also a DC 12V output, meaning that the PowerMonkey Extreme is now capable of charging SLR camera batteries, iPads, tablets, portable DVD players and much more directly from the unit. This updated model also includes a female in-car socket so if users only have an in-car charger for their device, they can now recharge it directly from the PowerMonkey Extreme.

The PowerMonkey Extreme is waterproof for 30 minutes in up to 1 metre and shock resistant - perfect for the outdoor, marine and adventure enthusiast, as well as military and emergency services.

The PowerMonkey extreme can be recharged in via the universal mains charger, via the solar panel or via USB.  It weighs 242g and measures 152 x 59.5 x 28mm, whilst the solar panel weighs 214g, measures 171 x 90 mm and is 18mm deep when folded.

StartMonkey 400

Finally in this small selection from the PowerTraveller range we have the amazing StartMonkey 400 (£200). This device might have been made specially for Honda CRV owners. The CRV is a reliable car, but the battery is tiny and notorious for failing at the most inopportune moments – i.e. in the middle of a muddy field at the end of a busy Country Fair, on a Sunday evening when thousands of vehicles are trying to get out, while the AA (or RAC) are trying to get in with a battery charger…  Well that’s no longer going to happen to this happy Honda owner, as I was so impressed with the StartMonkey that I bought it – and several relations, neighbours and previously unknown ‘friends’ who have had their vehicles ‘jump-started’ over the winter are happy that I bought it too!

The StartMonkey 400 is a compact, jump-start system suitable for use on cars, commercial vans, 4x4s, power boats, etc. that have 12Volt batteries (CCA up to 1200A). It delivers a jump-start current of 12Volts at 400Amps and is packed with high-tech features to give you total peace of mind.  It can restart most standard 12Volt vehicle batteries up to 15 times (depending on engine capacity) before it’s own High Energy Polymer Lithium Battery needs recharging itself.

Just check the power level in the StartMonkey then attach the jump leads to the correct battery terminals and it will automatically start delivering 400 Amps of continuous power. Leave the StartMonkey for 5-8 seconds, turn the ignition and your vehicle will start. It’s amazing, and I’ve used it in all sorts of weather conditions even when damp and freezing.

On the front of the StartMonkey is a 4-segment LED array that easily shows you power levels of the charger. You can also use it to check the voltage remaining in your car battery.

Measuring 8¼”x2¾”x2¾” and weighing in at a fraction over 1kg, the unit comes in a fitted case complete with integrated leads and crocodile clips, a 16v mains charger and a selection of mains plugs and in-car adaptors to ensure charging your Monkey is never a problem, either in car or anywhere in the world. You can leave it unused for up to 1 year and it will still hold up to 75% of its power, and it be recharged 500 times - so if your battery is still going flat after all that time - it may be time to ge

Power on!

This is only a taste of what PowerTraveller have to offer, just visit their website at www.powertraveller.com to see their full range or contact Edgar Brothers Ltd on 01625 613177 or visit www.shootingsports.edgarbrothers.com to find your nearest stockist.