Accessory Power ReVIVE Solar ReStore XL Review

Accessory Power ReVIVE Solar ReStore XL Review | GadgetReview
http://www.gadgetreview.com/2012/07/accessory-power-revive-solar-restore-xl-review.html
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7/11/2012
the years haven’t changed, but as camping out became more a part of my life, I found that all
those electronic devices being brought along were becoming a drag. A power drag, that is.
Times may have changed to where a laptop is no longer the prized item in a backpack, but a
smartphone pretty much rides along with every step. And drains power big time, once GPS
and other functions (be they serious or gaming) get broken out. Not being one of those folks
who uses portable generators in the great outdoors, I knew I would need a battery backup to
take up the slack. I just didn’t know how eminently useable Accessory Power’s ReVIVE
Solar ReStore XL could be until I got it out and about.
The ReVIVE Solar ReStore XL is bigger than most battery backups and there’s no way you
can put it in a pocket (that and its durable white plastic body making it stand out amidst the
flora and fauna). But in exchange for its size you get some pretty nifty features. One side is a
honking big solar panel to soak up the rays and charge the 4,000 mAH battery — on the other
side there’s a big button whose pressing lights up an LED in one of the slots below to show
you how much power is already inside. Accessory Power wants you to charge the solar panel
in the sunlight for about 13 hours the first time and that’s about right — after that a few hours
seated while you’re actively doing something should take care of it. Apparently you can even
add an additional solar panel to pump up the speed of the charging — frankly here in SoCal
that isn’t needed (overcast days being few and far between, as are rainy days).