Coghlan's Portable Power Pack, 6,000 mAH

I love this device, but you must be realistic with your expectations.I have an Anker Astro Pro2 20,000mAh, an Energizer XPAL XP18000, and a Tekkeon MP3450 battery (All bought here on Amazon over the years.) that I've used for my phones, iPads, Laptop (Anker, XP18000, & Tekkeon support 16Volts for laptops, etc..) & MiFi when on the road. They all provide good amounts of power for a decent duration, BUT once they were finally drained, they were just dead weight.Now the Coghlans 6000mAh power pack is not going to provided anywhere near the amount of power storage or higher voltages like the Anker Astro Pro2, XP18000, or Tekkeon, so don't think that it will power your notebooks like they can, so it is NOT a replacement for them. It provides about 5Volts (like most phone charging accessories), but with only 1/3 or less of the storage capacity of my others. (18000mAh or more vs the 6000mAh of the Coghlans capacity) The KEY difference for me is that when any of my other batteries run flat, I have to find a mains tap for their AC adapters in order to top-off the batteries again before they are useful. With the Coghlans, even if I run the cell dry, I have the options to crank the internal dynamo for a minute or so to keep a call on an almost dead phone going, or to bring back a phone that has already died. Quite a bit more cranking to keep an iPad going, but at least I have the option. And while I'm not actively using it, I can lay it in the sun with the solar panel up to give it a little additional solar power help. (I was just in Las Vegas for a business trip last week and the solar panel worked MUCH better there than I am noticing here in New Jersey, so sun quantity and quality will likely determine the on-board solar panel feature's usefulness to you.)So long story-short: I still keep my Anker and XP18000 fully charged. I am still seeking a replacement for my aged Tekkeon MP3450 as it barely holds a charge anymore, but I've used it regularly for almost 5 years now. (These portable battery backups don't often last longer than 3-5 years in the first place, in my experience.) So the Coghlans isn't REPLACING any of my batteries, but it DOES offer instant power on the go so that I don't have to worry about rationing my power as much as I used to. (After living through Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, both resulting in days/weeks without power, I breathe a little easier knowing that I will have the ability to power emergency calls if needed no matter what even if I can't get to our generator or am away from home.)To me, THAT is the value of the Coghlans unit. If you're on the go, it's tops. However, if you're at home, I'd consider a "pedal-powered" dynamo as infinitely more practical than a "hand-cranked" dynamo. Oh, and as another reviewer mentioned, the two-stage flashlight in the Coghlans is quite useful and can cast a surprisingly powerful beam when needed, or be backed-down to a less powerful beam for normal use. I'm buying more of these this year as stocking-stuffers for my immediate family as I know that they will appreciate having them on-hand when the next blackout comes, which seems to happen every year or two in our part of New Jersey.EDIT: Oh, some observations that I would want to know if I were looking to buy one:1. It arrived with about 85% charge on the battery, and took about 90 minutes to completely fill (Charge lights stopped flashing.)2. You USB charge it via a micro-USB cable. I used an Apple iPAD AC adapter it took about 6.5 hours for it to fully charge from empty.3. Charging the Coghlans from my laptop's USB 2.0 port took between 7 & 8 hours from empty.4. It doesn't seem to matter which direction you turn the dynamo's handle in.5. The dynamo's resistance varies as you crank the handle. (I presume to regulate how much charge is being generated.)WHEN THE COGHLANS 6000mAh POWER PACK IS EMPTY:6. I found that if I CRANK the dynamo for 120 secs (harder than it sounds!) I can "See" it charge my iPhone 5 for ~30 secs with everything on.7. I found that if I charge it in STRONG Nevada sun for 10 minutes I could "See" it charge my iPhone 5 for ~60 secs with everything on.8. I found that in STRONG New Jersey sun for 10 minutes I can "See" it charge my iPhone 5 for ~30 secs with everything on.9. A full battery in the Coghlans 6000mAh Power Pack was able to fully charge my iPhone 5 from empty WHILE IN USE & still had 2 LEDs lit.10. A full battery in the Coghlans 6000mAh Power Pack was only able to charge my iPAD Air from empty WHILE IN USE to 35% at most..11. The Coghlans outputs enough power from its battery to charge my iPad Air and original iPads "Normally", and not in the slow, low-power "Not Charging" mode that low power AC adapters and batteries can result in.But be realistic. This isn't likely to give you even 2% battery increase from turning the crank. It will only allow you to TALK at MINIMUM power usage. (i.e. no data, Bluetooth, background programs, etc.. running, and screen on lowest setting to make your call.) Basic VOICE ONLY and even then you will only get a few minutes before your phone shuts down again. 3 FULL MINUTES OF CRANKING only actively charged the iPhone 5 for ~28 seconds, and even then, only raised the battery level by 1%. (Note the iPhone 5 was in "Airplane Mode" with the screen on its dimmest setting, so NO additional power was being drained.)Also note that while cranking the dynamo on the Coghlans Power Pack, it WILL NOT charge your devices at the same time! You must finish cranking, then press the battery/start button to begin charging your device.Now the flashlight runs like a champ from cranking the dynamo, so it definitely works! It just doesn't put out as much power as our power-hungry smartphones want to be practical for anything but TRUE emergency use once the 6000mAh battery is dead.

I ordered two of these at an unbelievable price because you just never know when you might need something like this. Unfortunately, it is a bit heavier than I thought it would be, which may be a deal breaker for backpackers. The Waka Waka solar light and charger is acutally lighter in weight than this is, but it is smaller in size than a Waka Waka. This is about half the width, standing upright, than a Waka Waka. Now, all we have to do is see if it actually does the job I purchased it for. I left it out in the sun for an hour to charge, though the package says it should take just 10 minutes of sun to fully charge, and 1 minute of cranking to charge most smartphones 2 or more times. A micro USB cord is included. When I use it to charge, I will update this review. Since it states it can charge a smartphone, tablet etc. 2 or more times*, I don't intend using it to charge unless I really have to. It also includes a LED flashlight, which seems bright enough. The light has two modes, low and high. It has a lanyard connected to it. Written instructions are included, but it seems very easy to operate without them. For the way Looow price I paid, even if just the flashlight works, I'm happy. Time will tell about the charger.

This is one of the important items to have with you when you travel, or to have in your vehicles' storage area. In the event you need a light or to charge a device, this is a great item, especially if left in the sunlight while not in use, as in camping. And when there's no sun you can easily use the crank handle. The price is very reasonable and the build quality is excellent as well.

does not last more than a full charge for a Note 8 . the only benefit is that it is an emergency power pack due to the sun and cranck features.I got a defective one but I got a new one from the manufacture no questions asked for that I do recommend the item .Update:

When it works....it works well enough. When hooked up to USB port it charges up fast enough same with solar (but it's best on a cloudless day). Also it charges up my phone lightning fast. However, I must've gotten a defective one because after four days of use it slowly stopped holding a charge until it just completely died. I'd use the dynamo and you'll know if it's charging by the strobing lights but I got nothing. I left in the sun all day - nothing. I let it charge for 12hrs via USB - nothing, not even one LED light indicating 25% percent capacity. I really like this product because of the dynamo and solar. I'm going to purchase another one.

Due to my job i often have to put my phone in a Ziploc bag. This fits in there with it (along with cords) in standard quart sized bag. (probably could fit 3 or 4 of these in there). Impressive solar panel with hand cranked dynamo generated power ? Swiss army knife in modern portable device world . A lot of options. Gold star. survivor

The flashlight is great the hand crank is charging fast, I haven't tried the USB port yet.

it's ok the flash light is pretty good

Por falta de tiempo y desidia no había externado mi opinión de este producto.De pésima calidad ya que nunca a funcionado como dice que lo hace, lo he usado muy pocas veces durante el tiempo que lo he tenido y solo tiene la capacidad de recargar un celular Samsung S6, recargarlo con la manivela no sirve de nada y ponerlo al sol solo sirve para calentarlo ya que tampoco sirve.En cuanto lo vi me encanto la idea de un equipo así, pero estoy muy decepcionado de la marca, imaginé algo mejor y que realmente funcionara.NO LO RECOMIENDO POR NADA DEL MUNDO.Mejor comprarse una pila para recargar tu celular, saldrá más barato, te durará más tiempo y SI FUNCIONARÁ aunque tengas peso muerto de regreso del campamento como algunos le llaman.Opte por comprarme una pila de 20,000 mAhEspero que mejoren su aparato que solo sirve de lámpara y me devuelvan mi dinero.

Bought one of these for my son to go to a music festival. Used it once and had to buy one of my own. Bought my son's at a very national outdoor hunting store cost me twenty more dollars than purchasing on Amazon. Oh yea, plus it's delivered, plus it came Canada Post.

Very pleased and very effective. I bought a second one. The first one is for home use and the second one is for Bug Out Bag. Love it.