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When reading a review of a mobile device, there is a good chance that one area that will engender some criticism will be that involving battery life.  While advances in other areas continue at a pace, the important factor regarding the length of battery life can often be a disappointment with the result that a recharging source becomes increasingly important.  This, of course, explains why battery chargers are a popular accessory for those of us who are dependent on constant access to various mobile devices for survival in this modern digital world.

The latest battery charger to come by way is the Powerpack LM3000 model from PNY.  Arriving in packaging displaying the message “Charged & Ready for Use”, the Powerpack LM3000 is based on a Lithium polymer battery.  As the product’s title implied, this battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh.  With a weight of 87g, this predominately black unit has dimensions of 65 x 90 x 10mm.   Looking a little like a credit card on steroids, the Powerpack LM3000 will not take up too much room or weigh down the user unlike some other products I have seen which weigh more than the device they are meant to charge.

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According to the folder sheet that acts as the User Guide, there could be a possibility that the battery will have discharged some of its power due to the time that it might have been in transit or sat on a dealer’s shelf.  This was obviously the case with my sample.  Quickly checking the device revealed that the power capacity was no more then 25% of the expected full capacity.  Charging the device, using the supplied standard to micro USB lead which slots into a port at the top of the device, required 90 minutes of waiting time before the four LED lights glowed blue to indicate that the battery level was at a full 100%.

While a separate supplied USB lead is specifically for charging the unit, you are provided with two other leads for linking to devices that need a boost to their battery.  These two leads are built into and are permanently attached to the unit.  When not in use, these leads reside in grooves on either side of the battery pack from where they can be semi-detached and plugged into a device for charging.  The lead on the left side has an Apple Lightning connection while the lead on the right features a micro USB connection.  Both these leads can deliver 1 Amp of power.

Once a device (Android or Apple) is attached to the appropriate lead, you need to press a small button on the top of the Powerpack next to the micro USB port.  This will activate the transfer process from the unit to the chosen mobile device.  The LED lights, mentioned earlier, will glow to indicate the capacity of the Powerpack as it goes about its business of charging a mobile device to their designated target device.  On the completion of the charging process, the Powerpack will turn itself off to save on power.

The Powerpack LM3000 ticks all the right boxes.  It is compact in size, adds little to the carrying weight and can be used with Apple and Android devices using leads that should not go missing.  The product comes with a one-year warranty.  I have seen this device priced at £19.99.

http://www.pny.eu/product/p-22-204-793/PowerPacks/PowerPack-LM3000/