Burrum Coast National Park- Overnight hike, Queensland Australia (images)

**Phillipsart** · 01-16-2012, 06:57

Originally Posted by Bruciehi5

Now, let’s see...

I “WAS” using the Power Monkey Explorer and I found that it “just” did the job, but the battery started to show signs of not charging up as much as it did after 10 or 11 mouths of light to moderate use. I was disappointed. I had a look at what else was around and thought about getting the Power Monkey Extreme, but decided not to risk the same thing happening with the battery. So, I ended up finding and buying a sCharger 5. It’s the most powerful compact charger I could find, it’s built to last in the USA, but it’s not light – 246 grams, no battery. I also got a Duracell Instant Charger from Office Works which weighs 43 grams. For charging your phone, you’d be better off with the Powerhouse model. I carry the Instant charger and what’s left of the Solar Monkey battery for back up when the sun don’t shine. The key to the whole solar charging thing is timing. I’m finding that early to bed, early to rise, early to get to camp and get the charger charging works best. Between 10 and 3:30 is the best charging time. If the sun is mostly out and if I start charging by 11 or 12:00, I get everything charged up. I prefer to walk early and camp early, so this arrangement works well for me. It gives the solar shower time to warm up. The sCharger takes about the same time as charging via computer USB port.

Power Monkey Explorer
https://powertraveller.com/iwantsome/primatepower/powermonkey-explorer/
Power Monkey Extreme
https://powertraveller.com/iwantsome/primatepower/powermonkeyextreme/
sCharger 5
http://www.suntactics.com/USBSolarChargerMoreDetails.html
sCharger 5 Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/sCharger-5-Powerful-Actually-Portable-Directly/product-reviews/B003ZFQUWO/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1& sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
Duracell Instant Charger
http://www.duracell.com/en-US/category/power-reserves.jspx

Thanks for the info, I do like the looks of the sCharger-5. This will be the one I will be purchasing.

**Phillipsart** · 01-16-2012, 06:58

Originally Posted by Veto 65

Nice trip report and pictures. I'm sorry I missed this the first time around.

Thanks Phillipsart and Bruciehi5 and everyone around the world for your trip reports. Us po folk need to see what the rest of the world looks like from your eyes.

Thanks Veto 65

**Bruciehi5** · 01-16-2012, 14:27

Originally Posted by Phillipsart

Thanks for the info, I do like the looks of the sCharger-5. This will be the one I will be purchasing.

Good choice!

A couple of little tips:

The sCharger fits in a 18cm*16.5cm click zip lunch bag (one way) and it is a good way to store and carry the sCharger around. Also, I notices that when the charger is in closed mode, folded in half, one side rubs on the other side, which was starting to damage four small parts of the solar panel. So, now I just stick a small 60*20*2mm thick bit of rubber in it as I close, or fold the sCharger and put it in a lunch bag - problem solved.

It is heavy, but it is very well made and will last longer than you.

Bye for now!

Bruciehi5