Batteries and power packs, from camera spares and rechargeable cells to power banks and storage cases.
Two weeks ago, while helping Li Xiang find eneloop batteries for her office, I was surprised to find none at any major electronics store in Funan or VivoCity. I wondered whether eneloop had left the Singapore market or sold out.
I bought the Anker Astro E4 13,000mAh External Battery from Amazon at a promotional US$36.99, down from US$43.99, excluding shipping. My third Anker product, I'm a fan of this up-and-coming brand, popular in the US, which tops Gizmodo's Five Best.
IonBank is Moshi's range of portable battery packs, currently three products: the IonBank 10k, plus the IonBank 5k in Lightning and Micro USB versions. The 5k holds 5,000mAh and has two integrated cables, one a Lightning or Micro USB connector.
In my post on the Panasonic Mobile Booster QE-QL101, I mentioned Panasonic's larger 10,260mAh portable battery, which I couldn't find in Singapore. I eventually spotted it in Thailand and bought it for TH฿3,990, about S$160, dropping to roughly S$150.
The Energizer XP3000A Portable Charger retails for S$59.90. Its 3,000mAh capacity can charge an iPhone 5 about twice, and it weighs just 130g. What sets it apart is the built-in Lightning cable, so you needn't carry a separate cable.
I got the Powerocks Stone 3, a 7800mAh dual USB power bank, from my cousin in Hong Kong. I'm unsure of the local price, but it's US$48.50 on Amazon. True to the 'stone' name, it's heavy at 500g.
The Innergie PocketCell Duo was unveiled at CES 2013 in January, succeeding the PocketCell that retails in Singapore for S$79. This light portable charger weighs 132.5g, holds 6,800mAh, and outputs 2.1A per USB port, ideal for charging high-capacity devices quickly.
On 12th December 2012, eneloop announced two new limited-edition 'eneloop tones' rechargeable battery packs: eneloop uomo for men in purple, grey, black, and white, and eneloop rouge for women in pink. Each glittering pack holds eight AA batteries.
On 1st November 2012, Sanyo announced new and improved eneloop Rechargeable Batteries, model HR-3UTGB, replacing the older HR-3UTGA. They boast a 20% longer lifespan, around 1,800 recharge cycles, and improved storage, retaining 70% of their capacity even after five years.
Few realise, myself included, that Panasonic acquired Sanyo about three years ago. On 21st December 2009, Panasonic completed a ¥400 billion, US$4.5 billion, purchase of a 50.2% stake in Sanyo, making it a subsidiary, then bought the remaining shares.
The Sanyo Eneloop Black Charger Set BC-MQR06 is the latest eneloop product. Each set pairs four AA eneloop XX rechargeable batteries with a Black Charger in a sleek black-and-silver design. It retails for S$65.90 at Best Denki, Meidi-Ya, Selffix D.I.Y.
The Sony CP-ELS USB Portable Power Supply launches today at IT Show 2012, Suntec Singapore. It retails for S$29.90 in black or white, with a 2,000mAh capacity and weighing just 87g. My brother notes it can charge a BlackBerry 9900.
Alongside the Sanyo Eneloop Glitter batteries, they sent me the Sanyo Eneloop Quick Charger NC-MQR06W. The package includes four AA batteries and retails for S$55.90. The batteries are Made in Japan and the charger in China.
I'd long wanted the Sanyo Eneloop Glitter AA batteries because they look so good. As a big Eneloop fan, with a dedicated section on my blog, the PR agency kindly sent some over to feature. Each AA cell holds 1,900mAh.
I bought the Mophie Juice Pack Boost from the Apple Singapore Online Store for S$69.90, unable to find it at any authorised reseller, which still stock the older 1,500mAh model rather than this 2,000mAh one. It's bigger but far lighter.
My Hong Kong cousin gave me the MiPow Power Tube 6600, which retails for S$125. It packs a 6,600mAh capacity in a durable anodised aluminium case, and bundles charging tips for a wide range of devices.
I got the Sanyo Eneloop Standard Charger NC-MQN09 from Challenger at Funan for S$29.90, or S$26.91 with member's price. I weighed it against the cheaper Basic Charger at S$22.90, but the extra S$7 buys US-plug compatibility and a microprocessor.
The Sanyo Eneloop Stick Booster KBC-D1BS was announced in Japan in August 2010 but never came to Singapore. My mom's business friend brought one back for 2,980 yen, about S$46.30. I love its design, and it outputs 5.0V.
The Sanyo Eneloop Mobile Booster KBC-L2B upgrades the earlier KBC-L2A, though the model number, merely bumping A to B, is confusing. Sanyo really should pick clearer names so buyers can tell new from old. Design-wise the two are basically identical.
Got the Sanyo Eneloop Mobile Booster KBC-L2S after my old KBC-E1S, running on just two AA batteries, couldn't give my iPhone enough juice. The KBC-L2S lists at S$69.90, but I picked it up for S$57 on eBay.
I found this really cheap external battery charger for the iPhone 3G via HardwareZone forums. The seller, free-4-flying in Hong Kong, runs occasional sales; I've seen it as low as US$6.99, though I paid US$8.48, around S$11.87 including shipping.
Bought the Sanyo Eneloop KBC-E1S for S$34.90 at member price from Challenger, for extra iPhone juice on trips. I weighed it against the KBC-L3S; the E1S uses two AA batteries while the L3S has a built-in lithium-ion cell.