Daily deal – APC UPB10 battery pack for $14.95

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is the kind of product you should buy first, then decide whether you really need it.

The APC UPB10 is a small external Lithium-Ion battery pack suitable for charging most USB powered devices. This includes most Blackberry devices, iPod devices, the iPhone and almost every other smartphone on the market.

The device comes with a standard USB cable for charging off your PC or existing USB charger. To charge your device, you simply plug it into the UPB10 and let it do its work.

The 10Wh capacity of the battery is sufficient to fully charge most devices once or twice.

A device like this can be a true lifesaver, if you have ever found yourself stranded at an airport with a dead phone , or mid-flight with a dead iPod, you’ll learn to appreciate the ability to breathe some life back into your gadgets. Just remember to carry your USB cable wherever you go, or to buy a spare.

The UPB10 normally retails for about $50, but Frys.com has it on sale for just $14.95. Shipping is about $6 for most destinations, and lucky readers with a local Fry’s store can opt for in-store pickup to save the shipping costs.

Product review – PowerPax battery organizer

by Scott Carmichael on

In this short review I’m going to introduce a product I came across last week. The PowerPax battery clip organizer does exactly what the name implies; it organizes your batteries.

If you are like me when you travel, you’ll have several gadgets that still require regular (AA, AAA or 9V) cells to operate, and I’ve usually had to carry a small plastic case or Ziploc bag for them.

The PowerPax battery organizer is surprisingly simple, and the version I’m reviewing today (the A9 caddy) holds 4 AAA’s, 4 AA’s and 1 9 volt battery. The batteries are all held in place with small plastic clips, and can be removed by pushing them up out of the caddy.

It’s all very simple, but another of those “why didn’t I think of that” items. At just 6.95 it’s also a real bargain. The A9 caddy is one of 10 different versions available and each caddy comes in several colors, including “glow in the dark”.

The caddy is made of very hard plastic, and there are no rough or sharp edges to be found. The batteries lock in place quite well and the whole thing just feels well made.

Like many convenient travel products, the PowerPax battery caddies were developed by a pilot who was fed up with loose batteries in his cockpit, so he set out to find his own solution. The PowerPax battery organizers all comply with DOT regulations, so they can be carried in your bag onto the plane.