My latest battery backup review is for the Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 600mAh Power Rockstar Battery
While the battery can be used as a backup for those who go on long trips or not in an immediate area to charge their electronic device, this is a battery for those need to charge their cell phone, tablet, MP3 player or whichever USB device they have overnight.
I personally am a big believer of owning battery packs for backup use or emergency use. After the 2011 tsunami and earthquake disaster in Japan and seeing how friends had no way to communicate with the world only through twitter and had no choice but to use their vehicle to powerup their device and similar situation in Bohol due to the earthquake in the Philippines in 2013 and no one having no way to charge their cell phones, I have looked at these backups as important emergency devices to have. Especially if you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters.
May it be during a long brown/blackout which does happen in our neighborhood to whenever I’m on leave to cover an event and away from my hotel and I need my cell phone, tablet, wifi device or some device charged in my bag, while I’m working, I have found battery charging devices to be a lifesaver in several occasions.
Also, as a family man, knowing how many times my wife or son keep asking to charge their cell phones or tablets during a commute.
Having owned many battery chargers, I can compare the Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 6600 mAh Power Rockstar Battery Pack with dual USB ports to Duracell Powermat GoPower Long Haul Battery.
I. WHAT’S INSIDE THE BOX?
The battery comes pre-charged and comes with a USB to micro USB cable that is kept inside a magnetized cable storage slot in the battery charger case and a USB to lightning cable for iPhone and iPad users which comes extra (not in its personal slot, but you can switch cables to be in the slot in the battery charging case).
The battery has a capacity of 6600 mAh Lithium-Ion Prismatic, output=3.4 amps. While the Duracell Powermat GoPower Long Haul Battery which also has dual ports came with 8800 maH, its output is 2.1 amps.
II. HOW DO I CHARGE A DEVICE
On the battery are two USB inputs. Micro USB input. Connect your device and it’s USB cable to the Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 6600 mAh Power Rockstar Battery Pack.
All you have to do is check your cell phone, iPad or whatever USB device to see if it is indeed recharging.
If you need to charge two devices at once, the maximum power output of the battery is 3.4 Amps and you can split the power between the dual ports. It’s important to note that regular USB ports is 3.4 Amps, mini USB port is 2.4 Amps.
NOTE: It’s important to note that you CAN NOT charge the Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 6600 mAh Power Rockstar Battery Pack charger and use your device at the same time.
There are four green LED’s right on top of the device. A short press shows the LED’s and will quickly show you the current power level.
III. HOW DO I CHARGE THE Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 6600 mAh Power Rockstar Battery Pack
Connect the USB to micro USB cable to the Belkin MFI Power Rockstar Battery Pack and then the other end to your cell phone USB charger adapter or car adapter for a quicker charge or connect to your PC/laptop. Because the USB to micro USB cable is too short, I just connected my cell phone charger to the device to charge the battery pack quickly.
As you are charging, the green LED indicator will blink, moving from position 1 to 4 until charging is complete.
JUDGMENT CALL:
The Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 6600 mAh Power Rockstar Battery Pack is as big as my portable external hard drive. Small and can fit in your pocket for portability. And small enough to carry in your bag.
The device works as intended, giving you four cell phone/iPhone recharges or two iPad recharges or several USB recharges for certain devices depending on the device. In fact, you can recharge a smart phone three times with the Power Rockstar.
I have tested this Belkin Battery pack to charge my cell phone, MiFi device, Android Tablet and iPad with no problems whatsoever.
Compared to the Duracell Powermat Long Haul, I like the fact that the Belkin comes with two cables and a slot to store one of the cables. That is quite convenient. While I like that the Duracell Powermat Long Haul had 8000 mAh over the Belkin which only comes with 6600mAh, the Belkin comes with more amps and
But these are great devices to have for emergency purposes, to have during vacation, camping or if you are on location and far from a charging outlet or device.
I bring these along with me when I travel, but it’s important for those who are traveling out of the country, according to the Federal Aviation Administration: Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin.
It’s important to note that if you want a dual USB battery pack, then the Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 6600 mAh Power Rockstar Battery Pack Black is all you need at it is under $65. While the price is good, you can find others that offer more power for a cheaper price.
While I find the Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 6600 mAh Power Rockstar Battery Pack to be fantastic as a battery charger, you can get the Duracell Power mat Portable Charger Set with 2 Charging Enabled Backup Batteries set (two battery sets which includes the Long haul 8800 mAh) for $28.00.
But let’s assume you are selective and are wanting the Belkin battery charger.
Overall, I definitely recommend the Belkin MFi Certified MIXIT Metallic 600mAh Power Rockstar Battery. It’s a bit pricey but if you travel constantly, on assignment far from an outlet or charging device or you live in areas with a lot of brown/blackouts or areas that are affected by natural disasters, for your peace of mind, it’s worth owning these devices for emergencies and those moments when you, your family or friends need to charge your cell phone, tablet or wifi device and portable gaming consoles.
