Best backup battery for the iPhone?

[Maaz]

I've made the decision to buy a mophie juice air. But apple didn't have it so now I gotta get it from online applestore or from mophie site.

[pepper]

Originally Posted by Coolstrategist

It seems Dexim is not letting just anyone distribute the BluePack S3 so pricing competition is rather weak. Your best bet is to email RichardSolo online support and ask them to match the $69.95 retail price listed on the Dexim website.

Based upon my experience and their policies, RichardSolo has great customer service and a care free 30 day prepaid return policy. That is a reason to try to get the best price from them as opposed to somewhere else.

As for your question about recharging...I have never let my phone get to "zero battery power" (illustrates the value of the RichardSolo) so I have no idea how long it takes to fully recharge using my previous model RichardSolo/Dexim battery.

I am still awaiting delivery of the new model.

I emailed RichardSolo yesterday and this is the response I just received: "Due to the level of customer support we supply, such as fast shipping, quick support, and prepaid return shipping, we will not be able to match the $69.95 price."

[fredf]

Very interesting thread. I too have pondered what to do about an external battery.

It seems to me that there are two different approaches. The first is the type that hangs off the bottom of the phone, inserting into the USB charging dock, examples being Richard Solo and about 20 other brands and knockoffs on eBay and monoprice.

They certainly would work as a charger but I wonder about the practicality of them. If you are at work, at home, or in the car you can just plug in your iPhone with any number of charger/connectors.
But you can't really walk around and use the iPhone with one of these devices attached, I would worry that it would fall off or twist or damage the iPhone while hanging on. Not to mention that it seems very awkward to hold the phone with something almost its size (in the case of the Richard Solo) hanging off it.

It seems to me that these are only useful for that odd time when you aren't near a computer or an electrical outlet...perhaps carried in a briefcase for an emergency....but really putting the phone out of commission while charging.

What seems more useful to me are the jacket types like the Mophie. At least with these you can use the phone in an emergency while it is charging.
But the Mophie is awfully expensive.

There are a number of these types of chargers/batteries on eBay starting as low as about $25. Does anybody know if any of these are any good/reliable?

Lastly, no one has mentioned the Mili Power Pack which is about $30 cheaper than the Mophie on eBay and has 2000-mah and looks quite svelte and lightweight.

Anyone with experience with the Mili?

[Indy]

Very good post fred. That about covered the thoughts I've been having lately as far as the external 'dangling' pack is concerned. Thank you.

[fredf]

thanks.
I'd still like to see a few people chime in with experiences with the generic jacket batteries.

[whale_hunter]

I watched a review on Youtube regarding the Mophie Juice Pack Air and it seems really nice.


Before I bite the bullet and spend $70 on the thing, does anyone have anything bad to say about it ?


(Think of this like you're stopping a wedding )


Otherwise I'm kissing the bride sometime this week.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I heard that there are reception problems with the Mophie, but I have no first-hand experience with this.

[BCA2812]

I bought the Juice Pak Air from my local Apple store and returned it two days later. The fit was so tight that it bubbled up my screen protector on the left and right sides. Plus, the Iphone appeal stems from it's sleekness and with the extra bulk from the battery, it just wasn't the same. I bought an external Gum Pro 4400 mah battery and use that for when I am on the go. It uses the Iphone cable. BCA

[fredf]

I would go for the Mili over the Mohpie: it's cheaper, faster, less interference with wireless, and in my opinion, much more attractive aesthetically.

[aknightstale41]

Originally Posted by whale_hunter

I watched a review on Youtube regarding the Mophie Juice Pack Air and it seems really nice.


Before I bite the bullet and spend $70 on the thing, does anyone have anything bad to say about it ?


(Think of this like you're stopping a wedding )


Otherwise I'm kissing the bride sometime this week.

Ok, then I'm Dustin Hoffman running into the chappel...
I have the JPA and 2 things to take note before you buy, one is it seems to interfere slightly with reception (maybe 1or2 bars less), and two, I had to get my air replaced because the micro USB port came loose and wouldn't charge, I don't think it's a design flaw, just was a bum unit. On the plus side, customer service is great, they shipped a new one in 3 days and all has been well with it so far.