Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, iPod Family, Peripherals, iPhone, iPod touch
Richard|Solo 1800: More of everything!
We reported on the Richard|Solo Smart Backup Battery for iPhone a few months ago. Now Richard|Solo has released a much improved version of the Backup Battery that not only provides more power for your iPhone or iPod, but some excellent new features that trash the competition.
The Richard|Solo 1800 has 50% more capacity than the original versions, which had 1200 mAh of power. The new model has an 1800 mAh capacity, and is latched firmly onto the iPhone using a specially designed mechanism. There's an optional plastic support brace that reduces the lateral force on the battery connector; wonderful if you want to use the iPhone while charging it with the 1800.
Richard|Solo provides a dual-port USB car charger in addition to the AC wall charger, which still features a retractable cord for tangle-free storage in your computer bag or purse. The coolest new features are two built-in lights; a white LED flashlight and a red laser pointer.
The Richard|Solo 1800 retails for $69.95. If you own an iPhone or recent iPod, this is the backup battery to buy! It's well designed, feature packed, and reasonably priced. Now I need to get one for my wife!
What do you use for backup iPhone power? Leave a comment!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dandaman said 9:52AM on 11-09-2008
I don't have any extra battery systems, nor do I need them. I get very, very good battery life. Maybe it's just me.
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lcooperdesign said 12:56PM on 11-09-2008
Is that with or without modifying the factory settings of your iPhone? ie brightness adjustments, WIFI on or off etc.
dandaman said 1:04PM on 11-09-2008
I don't think I messed with the brightness, but I've put in at least 2 days without Wi-Fi on, about half of that time with it on. I have MobileMe, so data fetching was off but data push was on. Most of the time when I have to go so long w/o recharging, I'm traveling, and listening to music.
Artr said 9:59AM on 11-09-2008
I use a kensington mini-battery pack which I got from my local Apple store in Chatswood, Sydney. It's awesome cos I catch the train and bus to university every day and I go onto google talk or watch videos or trailers on the ride, so having that extra battery really helps.
Also when I was managing promotions for a theatre show on campus I had to be contactable for the whole time, so not having juice was not an option for me, and at the time they hadn't released 2.1 yet.
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Rich said 10:24AM on 11-09-2008
I use a battery sled, like this one from Brando: http://mobile.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=03539&dept_id=093&cat_id=1112
It's tripled the effective battery life of my iPhone.
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Greenie said 12:56PM on 11-09-2008
I looked into quite a few of these when hearing so many horror stories about the battery life. But, on every day use, I tend to use about half the battery.
Maybe I'll look into the Richard Solo for the long flights.
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toypaj said 12:57PM on 11-09-2008
I use a Proporta M-UPS-D6+
The capacity is 3400mAH and can charge the iPhone and iPod multiple times before it needs recharging.
I got it a couple of years ago and I think they have brought out another less powerful version.
This one does me great service.
toypaj
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Rick A said 12:59PM on 11-09-2008
It requires yet another power cord/charger. I would like to see it use the same connector as the iPhone. Then I could charge it with my car charger, or wall charger.
While I like it a lot, I won't buy it as long as it needs a different charger than the iPhone's.
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mcg said 1:25PM on 11-09-2008
That's true, but if you bring this battery with you, you don't need your original iPhone chargers. You can use the battery's chargers instead.
So it's not a perfect solution but it does allow you to leave one set of chargers behind.
Jack Klink said 1:13PM on 11-09-2008
My iPhone battery lasts me perfectly up to the end of the day. I dont even need backup unless i am using it like 24/7.
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itoilet9 said 2:33PM on 11-09-2008
I usually carry my Belkin AC adapter with me, or my car charger. I've never totally ran out of battery life on my iPhone 3G. Ever.
Sadly, when I use the included USB charge-only cable, (Which is like 6-7 feet. Fair bit longer than the included 3 feet cable with the iPhone) my iPhone thinks it's an audio accessory, shuts down all audio outputs save for the dock connector, and offers to go into Airplane Mode. I can't listen to music at all while it's charging.
Thankfully my 6-ft Phillips cable DOESN'T do that.
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badtzmaru said 2:38PM on 11-09-2008
I always carry my charger on day trips. I typically listen to the ipod, browse the web (3g) and after 4 hours, it dips into red territory. I've never run out of juice on my 3g (though i did a couple of times on 1st gen) but I always want to be safe! this battery solution seems like the best product so far.
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Joris said 7:44PM on 11-09-2008
if you type in: Pirillio at the discount field when you order, you get 10% off! only works until november 15th!
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Markito said 9:59PM on 11-09-2008
Tuaw, please review a hands-on with the brand new Morphie Juice Pack: http://www.mophie.com/products/juice-pack-iphone-3g
It hugs the iPhone like a case and seems like it would be fantastic.
I hope to buy one soon. The iPhone version just came out on October 30th.
there's also one for the iPod Touch. Has anyone used one yet?
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mark said 4:06AM on 11-10-2008
Are you kidding? That hideous "dongle" hangs off of your iPhone?
I'm opting for the FastMac model with the built-in flash for the iPhone's camera: http://fastmac.com/iv.php
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jslappa said 8:37AM on 11-10-2008
You are making the smart decision. While the FastMac iV for the 3G iPhone looks like something from 1988, it can more than TRIPLE battery life with all my radios on. WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, etc. I am so glad I cancelled my order for the Mophie!
Good news:
1. 3100 mAh battery
2. can dock right into 3G and Universal dock, charge phone and be charged simultaneously
3. full-size USB that can simultaneously charge phones, PSP, whatever!
4. Flash to help remove red-eye in photos or use as a torch at night
5. talk for 24 solid hours
6. or listen to 72 hours of audio
7. or 21 hours of video
8. or 31 DAYS STANDBY (WOW)
9. uses iPhone cable, so no additional cables to carry
Bad News:
1. Doubles thickness of phone
2. almost doubles the weight of the iPhone
3. barely pocketable
3. designed back in the 80's LOL
jw said 3:45AM on 11-12-2008
yo guys, it looks like there is quite a few solutions out there. I think it might be worth while to publish a review of the most popular models. i couldn't find anything like that on the net so you'd be first to do it! :)
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TL said 12:58AM on 11-13-2008
I've been a fan of the APC usb battery. Although I can almost always get through the day with a full charge, it's for those days that I wake up and see the iPhone laying on the desk out of it's charger **DOH**
I'll connect the battery (which keeps it's charge for a while, so I don't have to always remember to charge it) and throw it in my bag. I'm usually back up to a respectable charge in about an hour with plenty of juice left in the battery.
just my 2 cents.