Buy Now...

click image to enlarge

When out and about, either when relaxing and enjoying the surroundings or involved in various energetic pursuits, you often need access to a supplementary power source for those mobile devices we seemingly find it impossible to live without.  One such supplementary power source is The Action Charger.  Developed by PNY, The Action Charger combines the facilities to recharge a wide selection of mobile devices direct plus store and charge a set of batteries used by the GoPro Hero 4 camcorder.

This PNY kit consists of the power pack unit, two USB leads covering micro-to-standard and mini-to-standard connection options along with a folded User Manual which lists instructions in various European languages.  The micro USB lead has a length of 250 mm with the slightly shorter mini USB lead barely reaching a length of 205 mm.  What are not included are the batteries for the GoPro Hero 4 device, which presumable will come from the actual device, and you will need to provide.

See also: Chargers

more

The power pack unit is covered by a matte black material and has bevelled edges along the sides.  With dimensions of 120 x 50 x 30 mm (H a W x D) and weighing 147g (without the GoPro Hero 4 batteries), the device could easily fit into a pocket without causing an unsightly bulge or inconvenience when on your travels.  Working from the position of the silver PNY logo, I was able to ascertain which was the top and bottom of the device.  At the bottom of the power pack is the battery compartment for the GoPro Hero 4 battery set.  The dual slot compartment, used to hold these batteries, is normally concealed by a flap held in position by a slider switch.

At the opposite end of the power pack are USB ports for mini, standard and micro connections in that order.  The centrally positioned standard USB port is for output use delivering 2100mAh to whatever device is attached to the power pack.  The other two ports are reserved for inputting power into the power pack’s internal Lithium-ion 5200mAh battery which should be partially, if not fully, charged when you unpack the product from its packaging allowing the power pack to be used immediately.  Both the mini and micro USB ports can work at 1000mAh from whatever power source is being used.

Along with the PNY logo mentioned earlier, the front face of the power pack features a power button and a column of four LED light.  These lights glow blue during either input or output charging operations to indicate the power pack’s battery status.  When four lights are lit, you will have a capacity of between 75 and 100% level.  If three lights are lit then the battery level will be between 50 and 75%.  Two lights lit indicate that the power level will be between 25 and 50% with just a single light showing that the battery level is below 25% and that a recharge is called for.  An additional LED line light on the right side of the power pack provides feedback regarding the GoPro Hero 4 battery status.

Unfortunately due to not possessing a GoPro Hero 4 device, I have been unable to test this aspect of the product.  However other aspects of the product performed as expected.  Depending upon the devices being charged, you should be able to partially charged up to three mobile devices using The Action Charger.

PNY has priced this device, with its combination of battery recharger and GoPro Hero 4 battery storage/charging facility, at £24.99.  At this price it will only really appeal to those who have the camcorder unit to gain full benefit from The Action Charger.  This product is supplied with a one-year warranty until the USA which gets a three-year warranty.

http://pny.eu/consumer/explore-all-products/29-action-cam-accessories