Ultralight Lanterns

• Ledlenser ML4 Warm Light Rechargeable Lantern (71 grams)
• Ledlenser, ML6 Connect Warm White Lantern (220 grams)

Ultralight Flashlights and Headlamps

• Ultralight Flashlight: Nitecore Tiki – 300 lumens (12 grams) – has a reach of 77 yards
• Ultralight Headlamps: Nitecore NU25 Ultra Lightweight Headlamp (45 grams)

Ultralight Power Stations

• Nitecore NB20000 Gen 3 Power Bank (290 grams)
• Zendure Power Bank Supermini (200 grams)

Ultralight Camping Hammocks

• Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock (447 grams)
• Eagles Nest Outfitters JungleLink Shelter System (1500 grams)

Merino Sleeping Bags

• Merino Sleep Sack (850 grams) $165 – $190
• The ReWilder Wool Sleeping Bag Lightweight $557 – $687 (2494 grams)
• The Aurora Borealis Wool Sleeping Bag for Cold Weather $752 – $1,075 (3175 grams to 6804 grams)

Ultralight Backpacking Tents

• Zpack Duplex Zip Tent – 19.6 oz, 555 grams
• Lunar Solo Backpacking Tent – 26 oz, 740 grams

The post A List Of Ultralight Camping Equipment appeared first on Reactual.

• EBL 3.7V Li-ion Rechargeable Batteries — 3000 mAh
• Kiminors 3.7V 18650 Rechargeable Battery — 3200 mAh

Our recommended 18650 battery charger: XTAR VC2

About 18650 Batteries

What are the advantages of 18650 batteries? They are 3.7-volt lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged and are compatible with a wide range of electronics, including laptops, digital cameras, flashlights, and even electric car batteries.

Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung, and LG are the top level 18650 cell manufacturers, making long lasting cells in a standard size (18 mm by 65 mm) that fits all 18650 compatible devices. Chinese knockoffs are available for cheaper but are prone to shorter lifespans and aren’t always uniform in size. As a rule, be wary of “protected” 18650 batteries, which have small circuit boards at the bottom that do not fit some electronics, such as flashlights.

High-drain batteries are safer and designed for high current devices, such as vaporizers. They are also less wasteful, meaning they have a longer life cycle and can last for more recharges.

18650 Battery Chargers

The best part about 18650 batteries is that they can be recharged. That means you will need a reliable charger to keep them energized and in working order. I like the XTAR VC2 charger because it has an informative LCD screen display.

The LCD screen tells you the real mAh capacity of your batteries, so you can make sure they are getting the advertised amount of fill or identify when they are losing efficiency.

The post The Best 18650 Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

LiFePO₄ batteries offer many advantages over lithium cobalt dioxide (LiCoO2) batteries which are commonly used in laptops and cell phones.

In electric vehicles, LiFePO₄ batteries offer greater range, power and safety. They provide full power until they are completely discharged, and recharge in just 2.5 hours.

LiFePO₄ chemistry is also environmentally friendly — it’s the least toxic of all the battery types. They do not contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, nor any corrosive acids.

Here are the LiFePO₄ batteries currently available on Amazon:

• Ionic LiFePO₄ Battery — 20 Ah — 6.6 pounds — $186
• ExpertPower LiFePO₄ Battery — 20 Ah — 5.8 pounds — $190
• TalentCell LiFePO₄ Battery — 24 Ah — 5.7 pounds — $166
• Ionic LiFePO₄ Battery — 30 Ah — 11.6 pounds — $269
• Mighty Max LiFePO₄ Battery — 35 Ah — 9.6 pounds — $370
• ExpertPower LiFePO₄ Battery — 50 Ah — 13 pounds — $449
• BattleBorn LiFePO₄ Battery — 50 Ah — 17.6 pounds — $575
• Mighty Max LiFePO₄Battery — 100 Ah — 30 pounds — $675
• TalentCell LiFePO₄ Battery — 100 Ah — 26.4 pounds — $700
• BattleBorn LiFePO₄ Battery — 100 Ah — 29 pounds — $950

Here’s a list of all the advantages of LiFePo4 batteries:

• LiFePO₄ are safe — they do not catch fire or explode with overcharge
• They have over 2000 discharge cycles life compared to typically around 300 for lead acid
• Double the usable capacity of similar amp hour lead acid batteries
• Virtually flat discharge curve means maximum power available until fully discharged (no “voltage sag” as with lead acid batteries)
• High discharge rate capability, 10C continuous, 20C pulse discharge
• Unlike lead acid batteries, can be left in a partially discharged state for extended periods without causing permanent damage
• Extremely low self discharge rate (unlike lead acid which will go flat quite quickly if left sitting for long periods)
• Can be used safely in high ambient temperatures of up to 60C without any degradation in performance
• Maintenance free for the life of the battery
• Can be operated in any orientation
• LiFePO4 cells are of solid construction — there are no fragile/brittle plates made of lead which can be prone to failure over time as a result of vibration
• Can be safely rapidly recharged — when fully discharged can be brought to a state of over 90% fully charged in 15 minutes

The post The Best Lithium Ion 12V Deep Cycle Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

Currently, the best rechargeable C-size battery is the ELB 5000 Battery. A pack of 6 costs $24.

About C-Size Batteries

Although they are no longer as popular as they used to be, C-size batteries are one of the most common alkaline batteries today. They have kept the same dimensions (50 millimeters by 26.2 millimeters) since 1926 and are used in medium-drain electronics such as toys and instruments. Disposable 1.5V alkaline dominated the C battery market for years due to its high capacity and long shelf life.

Rechargeable C-size batteries are rapidly gaining marketshare over their throw-away counterparts, thanks to crucial technological advances within the past decade. Instead of alkaline, they are using 1.2V Nickel-Metal Hydride Chemistry (NiMH) that allows for greater capacity that doesn’t atrophy after long stretches of inactivity. Whereas in the past rechargeable batteries would drain by themselves via discharge even when they weren’t in use, they now retain up to 85% of their charge capacity for months at a time. No more pulling out a rarely used flashlight the night before a camping trip only to find that the charge has evaporated in your garage.

Of all the rechargeable batteries on the market, ELB offers the best C-size battery. The 1.2V NiMH cells have a 5000mAh capacity, almost as much as the standard 8000mAh of disposable alkaline batteries and much higher than other NiMH cells, and close to the capacity of a lithium cell.

For a charger, I recommend the Maha PowerEx MH-C808M. This smart device can charge 9 C-size batteries at a time.

The post The Best Rechargeable C-Size Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Only 0.6 inches thick, the Lenmar Meidian Battery Case has a  2300mAh lithium-ion battery inside. This is enough to charge a dead iPhone battery to 100% in 2.5 hours. 

I’ve been testing it for a year — and it’s a reliable power source. Once it is attached to the phone it is essentially maintenance-free. Charging is via a standard micro-USB cable.

The Lenmar Meidian Battery Case is available at Amazon for about $25.

Another Option for iPhone 5 & 5S

The Morphie Juice Pack Plus is another good charger I’ve tested. Functionally it is similar to the Lenmar case, but the retail price is higher (around $40). It has a battery capacity of 2100mAh — a bit less than the Lenmar’s 2300mAh battery. It will charge a dead iPhone 5 to about 88%.

The post The Best Battery Case For The iPhone 5 & 5S appeared first on Reactual.

Our choice for the best high-capacity portable charger is the Goal Zero Yeti 400. This charger is easy to use, solidly constructed, and it features an informative LCD display. It offers several different charging ports — two USB outlets, one 12-volt DC outlet, and two AC wall outlets. In my tests, I found it capable of charging a laptop, an iPad, an iPhone simultaneously, while also powering an 12V car emergency light (see photo below).

The Details

Goal Zero is a company that focuses on producing portable chargers for remote locations. Their Yeti 400 charger, priced at $435, is designed to charge any device that requires less than 300W. The charger has a capacity of 33Ah (amp hours) — which is enough to fully recharge a laptop computer about 3-5 times.

The Yeti 400 itself can be recharged three ways — via a standard 120V socket, a 12V car cigarette outlet, or via solar power panel (sold separately). You can also chain it to another Yeti 400, which doubles the battery capacity. Strangely, Goal Zero officially names this product the “Yeti 400 Solar Generator” — even though you must purchase a solar panel separately to use it.

The Yeti’s LCD display is quite helpful — it has a graphic display indicating how much charge is left on the device. There is also an “input” indicator to show the amount of power it’s receiving while being charged. An “output” indicator shows total number of watts being output. You can use watt output indicator to estimate run-times. For example, the Yeti 400 (with 400Wh) should run a 100W light for 4 hours (400/100=4).

Inside the Yeti 400 is a 12V lead-acid battery — this makes the device fairly heavy at 29 pounds. Why doesn’t it have a lighter and more efficient lithium-ion battery? Because at this size, using a lithium-ion battery would cost about five times as much, or around $2000. The lead-acid battery is replaceable, and can be purchased from Goal Zero directly.

The Yeti 400 is available on Amazon for about $435.

Also available is the larger Yeti 1250 which is priced around $1400. This model includes a Anderson Powerpole output (a type of electrical connector used by Anderson Power Products).

Other Alternatives: High-Capacity Portable Chargers

Wagan 400-Watt Power Dome Jump Starter — this device is designed primarily to be a jump starter, but it does have a 12V 18ah battery inside, and it provides power via two AC outlets, one DC outlet, and one USB outlet — many reviewers had issues with this charger however.

NPower UBPS 1800W — this charger has a capacity of 60 amp hours. It can only be charged via an AC wall outlet (no solar charger or DC charging). It has one USB outlet, and five AC outlets.

Xantrex XPower Portable Powerpack – DC and AC outputs – $600

Nature Power Solar Home and RV Portable Backup Power Kit – solar chargeable – $1000

The post The Best Portable Laptop Chargers Of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.

Uni-Solar PowerBond PVL-136 ($447)

Pros:

• Simple installation
• Five-year warranty

Cons:

• May need to purchase additional cables

Top Review Sources:

• BestFlexibleSolarPanels.com: 4.5/5.0 “One of the very best inventions in solar as far as we’re concerned”
• Amazon: 5.0/5.0 (1 review)
• Amazon: 3.5/5.0 (3 reviews) (PVL-68)

The Uni-Solar PowerBond PVL-136 is a commercial-grade, peel-and-stick flexible solar panel. As its name implies, each PowerBond PVL-136 panel will produce 136 watts, and multiple PVL-136s can be chained together for increased output. This panel is intended to be installed on building, boat, and RV rooftops, though it will work just about anywhere with a clean, large surface. The PVL-136 stays put because of its adhesive backing and will not slide off even in high winds or high heat. In fact, its high-heat operation distinguishes it from crystalline silicon, which degrades in performance as temperatures rise. The PVL-136 works in temperatures up to 185 °F. It is able to operate in low-light and shadowy conditions because of its amorphous solar cells. Each panel measures 216” L x 15.5” W x 0.2” D and weighs 17 pounds. The PVL-136 comes with a five-year warranty.

Purchase the Uni-Solar PowerBond PVL-136 solar panel on Amazon. You’ll also find the smaller PVL-68 ($234) and larger PVL-144 ($465).

PowerFilm R14 ($200)

Pros:

• Rugged construction
• Portable

Cons:

• Adapters for devices not included

Top Review Sources:

• Preparedness Advice Blog: “I was impressed with the one we had the opportunity to test”
• Amazon: 5.0/5.0 (1 review) (R28)

The PowerFilm R14 is a flexible solar charger designed to charge small- and medium-size devices such as netbooks, LED lanterns, and 12-volt batteries. The R14 is built to move, with a rollable, waterproof design and extreme temperature operability. It is useful for camping, hiking, and marine excursions. If it is punctured, it will continue to provide solar power, though its ability to repel water will be compromised. The R14 produces 14 watts and is able to function in cloudy conditions. When unrolled, it measures 14.5” W x 42” L (14.5” W x 4” diameter when rolled) and weighs about a pound. Devices are connected via the included RA-2 female cigarette lighter adapter, so make sure you have the proper cord for the gadget you wish to charge. Reviewers like the durability of the R14 and praise its performance/size balance.

Amazon sells the PowerFilm R14. Amazon also sells other rollable solar panels in the PowerFilm line, including the smaller R7 ($140) as well as the larger R21 ($270) and R28 ($346).

The post The Best Flexible Solar Panels appeared first on Reactual.

Starting batteries and deep-cycle batteries aren’t meant to be substituted for one another; doing so will leave you stranded. Some manufacturers produce dual-purpose batteries, which attempt to combine the functions of starting and deep-cycle batteries into one package.

We’ve explored expert and user reviews of all types of boat batteries in order to bring you a list of the top rated . Our sources include Amazon, Bass Pro Shops, Advance Auto Parts, Sears, and BatteryMart.com.

ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder/Marine Dual Purpose Series ($98 and up)

Pros:

• Above-average lifespan
• Long-lasting charge

Cons:

• Initial cost

Top Review Sources:

• BatteryMart.com: 4.9/5.0 (75+ reviews) (PC625)
• Amazon: 5.0/5.0 (10+ reviews) (PC625)
• Amazon: 5.0/5.0 (3 reviews) (34M-PC1500)

ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder/Marine Dual Purpose batteries use AGM technology to deliver performance that tops lead-acid batteries. Trolling Thunder batteries are built to fill both starting and deep-cycle roles. The manufacturer claims reliable starting energy coupled with up to 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge. Reviewers confirm these impressive claims, expressing satisfaction with the long charge times and strong cranking power. Though Trolling Thunder series batteries cost more than conventional marine batteries, they last from 3-10 years, fully recharge in four to six hours, can be mounted anywhere due to their no-spill design, have higher impact and vibration tolerance, and are maintenance-free. Here a rundown of the six 12-volt batteries in the line:

• PC625 – MCA@32 °F: 250, RC: 27
• PC925 – MCA@32 °F: 500, RC: 52
• 34M-PC1500 – MCA@32 °F: 1050, RC: 135
• PC1800-FT – MCA@32 °F: 1450, RC: 475
• 31M-PC2150 – MCA@32 °F: 1370, RC: 205
• PC2250 – MCA@32 °F: 1550, RC: 240

Many AGM batteries use lead alloys for their flat plates, but ODYSSEY uses pure lead, which extends battery life. ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder batteries come with three- or four-year warranties.

Amazon has a selection of ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder/Marine Dual Purpose batteries for sale: PC625 ($98), PC925 ($170), 34M-PC1500 ($297), and PC2250 ($486).

DieHard Platinum PM-1 ($280)

Pros:

• Holds charge well while in storage
• Durable

Cons:

• Rare reports of premature failure

Top Review Source:

• Sears: 5.0/5.0 (15+ reviews)

The DieHard Platinum PM-1 features corrosion-resistant, tin-coated terminals, vibration protection, sealed construction, pure lead plates, and a three-year warranty. This AGM marine battery is dual-purpose; it can cover both starting and deep-cycle duties. It will typically last longer than lead-acid-type batteries. The Platinum PM-1 is a 12-volt unit capable of 1150 cold cranking amps at zero degrees Fahrenheit and has a reserve capacity of 205 minutes. It weighs 75 pounds and measures 9.5” H x 13” L x 6.8” W. Customers generally rave about the Platinum PM-1, citing its reliable performance and ability to start up after long periods of storage. Customers also have found the construction to be rugged enough to stand up to high levels of vibration and impact.

Purchase the DieHard Platinum PM-1 at Sears.

The post The Best Rated Boat Batteries appeared first on Reactual.