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Alternative to the RidgeMonkey power pack ? (30 posts / 5,324 views)
madmancarpy madmancarpy
Posts: 431
Post #1 30 Jun 2022 01:14
0
Looking for a cheaper option for a power bank
I just can't justify paying over £200
jbruin jbruin
Posts: 1,170
Post #2 30 Jun 2022 01:36
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In reply to Post #1
If its just for your phone and headtorch and small bits like that then a portable power bank off Amazon will do perfectly, I normally use a full one for a 3 day session charging my phone. I've got 2 of the brand in the link and I've had them about 3 years, used them for work on building sites to power my bluetooth speaker all day as well, still last the same time as when I bought it.

Portable Power Bank
Calabro
Posts: 335
Post #3 30 Jun 2022 02:20
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In reply to Post #1
You cannot justify it, because you do not get what you pay for. I've tried the RM and the Powapacs and was seriously disappointed. Returned both and bought a 25ah lifepo4 with a USB socket. The comfort that has provided me is completely justifiable.
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #4 30 Jun 2022 09:03
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Ridgemonkey you get exactly what you pay for, they perform to the quoted specification and are fairly robust. Not value for money as there are loads of cheaper alternatives, some appear to be a lot cheaper but to get matching performance you need to check like for like specs. When I was looking at the 42amp ridgemonkey I only found one alternative that matched it performance wise but it was a gloss plastic cased item unlike the rubberised monkey. It was however half the price so I bought one, it lasted fourteen months compared to my monkey that lasted three years. Both were used daily charging my vape and phone all day at work so I now have to decide on what to get next.
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #5 30 Jun 2022 09:11
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In reply to Post #4
Seems there are more alternatives now anyone tried the fox halo?
zinno
Posts: 1,381
Post #6 30 Jun 2022 11:15
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The Anker PowerCore 20100 is very good, i also have a PowerOak K2 50000mAh price is x3 vs the Anker, still cheaper then RM, i also have the RM Vault Lite IR180 (5200mAh) I'm still impressed after 1 year how good it is at charging my smartphone.

JeffE JeffE
Posts: 1,196
Post #7 30 Jun 2022 13:45
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In reply to Post #1
As jbruin says if its just for your phone and head torch and small bits like that and you're there for 3 days max then look at the Imuto Taurus X4 Smart Power 20000mAh Ultra Compact. Same size as an iPhone 6 but twice the thickness. It's brilliant.
Dazjones Dazjones
Posts: 10,613
Post #8 30 Jun 2022 14:53
1
In reply to Post #1
Anker or Ravpower on Amazon

Daz
Belch Belch
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 4,660
Post #9 30 Jun 2022 18:09
1
In reply to Post #1
Just get a pair of 30000ma Ankers or similar - have 2x nestled in my Avid A Spec Tech Pack and they last a 72hr+ session easily (phone / tablet / lights / headtorch / mozzie zapper)
JasonM JasonM
Posts: 1,764
Post #10 30 Jun 2022 19:10
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In reply to Post #1
The way to look at it the number of charge cycles you get from these power banks it's anywhere between 300 and 500 cycles, the same true for the ridgemonkey.

Amazon etc are awash with cheap power banks. So take your pick.

The fox halo uses LiFePo4 batteries which are much more long lasting though heavy, lithium density per inch is much greater and cheaper.
Gashman Gashman
Posts: 562
Post #11 30 Jun 2022 21:21
1
I have just brought the 77850 ridgemonkey, and it's a great bit of kit.
If just charging a phone/tablet then the Amazon ones will work, but anything more or longer stints. Then buy the ridgemonkey.
squeezedfishy
Posts: 152
Post #12 1 Jul 2022 01:35
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In reply to Post #9
Have you seen the price of these now?! The ankers used to be around £20-25, now they're £70!
squeezedfishy
Posts: 152
Post #13 1 Jul 2022 01:37
1
In reply to Post #10
Just a heads up with some of the Amazon power banks, get one from a reputable company.
I am in need to of more power banks and ordered some large cheap ones off Amazon, the stated Mah was no where near the actual battery capacity.
Bought a 30000mAh pack that ran out of juice after charging my phone twice!
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #14 1 Jul 2022 16:06
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In reply to Post #10
Got the 48k today, see how this lasts, must say its heavy at 1.5kg but feels very robust, time will tell.
squeezedfishy
Posts: 152
Post #15 1 Jul 2022 18:19
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In reply to Post #14
Interested to know how you find it. Found a blinding deal on the 96k and very tempted to get it.
Panzer_Attack Panzer_Attack
Posts: 142
Post #16 1 Jul 2022 19:16
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In reply to Post #15
Where from please, as I'm just about to buy one?
Richpp1989 Richpp1989
Posts: 2,078
Post #17 1 Jul 2022 22:11
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I got a power pack from curry's for about £40 around 3 years ago it's still going strong and charges my iPhone 13 pro max fully at least 4 times and my iPad 1 time if it's needed (only had to charge it once on the bank don't really use it tbh) so that's more than enough for me and will do easily a week for me
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #18 2 Jul 2022 00:05
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In reply to Post #17
You obviously don't use it a great deal as all these power packs/banks have a life cycle. My previous ones were used minimum 5 days a week running a phone, vape, sat nav and tablet. Anything over a year was very good going.
Calabro
Posts: 335
Post #19 2 Jul 2022 00:08
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In reply to Post #10
These come straight from Alibaba. Cost fox around $85 a pop, maybe even less. If you search a bit you'll have the same one, but much cheaper.
braders1978 braders1978
Posts: 18,195
Post #20 2 Jul 2022 00:56
0
In reply to Post #15
I have the fox halo power pack and it's better than the previous RM I owned.Its better built and works far better in cold conditions
benson5808 benson5808
Posts: 393
Post #21 2 Jul 2022 08:54
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In reply to Post #19
I have looked on Ali express for the 96000 mah one ,the only one i could find was £220 + plus £20 postage . Doesn't matter what title i put in . I have had the Fox one now for over 2 yrs, never run out on me and i regularly do Cheeky quick overfortnighters .
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #22 2 Jul 2022 09:01
1
In reply to Post #21
I've also looked for 48k ones and didn't find anything with with the same high quality batteries.
Richpp1989 Richpp1989
Posts: 2,078
Post #23 2 Jul 2022 16:06
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In reply to Post #18
I go every other weekend for 72/48hrs all year round and maybe 3 full weeks a year on top of that, tbh my phone doesn't need charging a lot now I will agree on that just because the battery lasts so long on it can get 2 full days of heavy usage from one charge so yeah most likely don't use it that much now but it still is good and still doing the job
Calabro
Posts: 335
Post #24 3 Jul 2022 01:06
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In reply to Post #21
Try Alibaba then. Not really in the mood to do a thorough search myself now, but found one for 115 dollars in 5 seconds. Green one with a different name, but like their cookwear and small bits seems the very same.


https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/New-Wireless-Power-Bank-96K-Dc_1600363844691.html
D@n
Posts: 34
Post #25 3 Jul 2022 10:10
0
In reply to Post #1
Do you have any power tools? As I have recently purchased a USB adapter for my Makita batteries. Was less than £20!
braders1978 braders1978
Posts: 18,195
Post #26 3 Jul 2022 10:55
1
In reply to Post #24
Your link must of ran out of charge,it does not work
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #27 3 Jul 2022 11:57
0
In reply to Post #24
I've found some similar packs in different colours on alibaba but from companies in the USA I've not heard of and at just under £100. I'm not prepared to chance it as if fault occurs I've got to track company and send it back which could be expensive and take ages. Also if customs check there will be import duty, vat and probably a handling charge. If you know someone that visits the USA regularly then it would pay to get them to pick one up from one of the huge outdoor shops so if any issues they can take it back.
benson5808 benson5808
Posts: 393
Post #28 3 Jul 2022 13:56
0
In reply to Post #27
The ones on Alibaba are normally minimum order of 10 ,yes the green one you can buy one of but the shipping cost to uk is £120 making it £210 , i would take a punt at £140 as i have bought a lot of Ali express and have always been happy .
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #29 3 Jul 2022 18:09
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I'm very happy with my shop purchase knowing that if a fault occurs I can take it back same day for a replacement or full refund.
HarrisonCarp HarrisonCarp
Posts: 387
Post #30 4 Jul 2022 18:12
0
All depends on what you are charging.

As everyone has already said, Amazon/eBay are flooded with cheap and crappy chargers so stick with something branded that doesn't have carp tax added.

I have a £25 one from Energizer, the battery company and it does my phone 4 times over.

A friend of mine just uses an old motorcycle battery, little heavy but small and compact and can charge multiple things at once.
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