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Brunton Restore Portable Power Device

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Product Description,
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Reviews

The Brunton Restore portable power device is a tough, compact unit that charges iPods, phones, digital cameras, GPS units and other electronic devices.

Internal rechargeable lithium polymer battery can be charged in a car with the included DC adapter, from a computer or via the sun's rays
Battery stores up to 2,200 mAh and provides 1,000 mA/5V output
The Brunton Restore portable power device features a 100 mA polycrystalline solar panel, a durable and water-resistant rubberized shell, power gauge and auto shutoff

Imported.

Item 800499

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Brunton Restore Portable Power Device Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Brunton Restore Portable Power Device

2.7

(based on 6 reviews)

33%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Cons

Lacks power (3)

Best Uses

Portable electronics (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Quality oriented (5)
- Primary use:
- Personal (5)

Reviewed by 6 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-6

Apr

2010

(34 of 38 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Not enough oomph to be useful

By Dioko

from Charlotte, NC

About Me Quality Oriented

See all my reviews

Pros

Bright color
Robust package
Slots for pack straps

Cons

Lacks Power

Best Uses

For low power needs

Comments about Brunton Restore Portable Power Device:

I took the Restore on a recent 10-day backpacking trip hoping it would be adequate to keep my Droid going long term on solar power. While hiking the Droid gets light use, with the battery down 20-30% at the end of the day.
With the Explore strapped to the top of my pack or parked in the sun, it did NOT generate sufficient charge to meet my need day after day.
Some further tests after I got home:
A fully charged Explore would recharge my Droid from 60% to 100% two times.
After 5 hours in the sun the Explore would boost my Droid battery about 10 to 20%. After 8 hours in the sun the Explore would boost my Droid battery about 30%.
This is not enough power for a high-end smartphone. It might be OK for devices having lower power requirements, but for these devices there are lighter & lower-cost options out there. The Explore is a nice execution of a slick concept, but just not enough oomph to meet my need.

Apr

2010

(12 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Close to a usable product

By Michael who sails

from Chicago, IL

See all my reviews

Pros

Emergency flashlight
Plug in charging OK
Solid body construction

Cons

Charges slowly
Inconsistent Performance
Lacks Power
Solar charging poor
Solar panel hinge loose

Best Uses

Having Around The House

Comments about Brunton Restore Portable Power Device:

I purchased this for a recent sailing trip. Most of our trip was at or near the equator so I expected to have no issues charging this unit using the solar panels (considering the strong tropical sun). Even with full days in direct sunlight, I could get no more than 75% charged; which was not enough to fully re-charge my cell phone (HTC Hero). The unit did perform as expected when charged via a computer USB port but my primary reason was to use the solar panels and I found this function less than acceptable and not quite meeting the advertised specs. I image with the less powerful direct sun light found in the Midwestern United States, the performance would be less.

Aug

2010

(8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Needs 10 hrs of sun for full charge

By Hags

from Portland, Oregon

About Me Quality Oriented

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable

Cons

Charges slowly
Needs Direct Sunlight

Best Uses

Battery backup
Portable Electronics
Travel

Comments about Brunton Restore Portable Power Device:

This was given to me as a gift in May of this year (2010). I live in Oregon and our sun finally came out in July so I have been able to use it for just over a month now. I attempted to use the charger as the only power source for my iPhone and see how long I could go without plugging into the wall. That didn't last long. I discovered that the solar charger needs its 10 hours of sun (says it on the package) to be direct sunlight. With a fair amount of help from the car charger I was able to go a month without charging my phone from the "grid". But if sun was the only option for charging, it wouldn't be possible when charging a smart phone on a daily basis.

I would not recommend this product for use with a smart phone. However, if you're looking for a battery backup and have equipment that uses less energy (and live in an area with lots of sun) it might work well for you.

Apr

2010

(2 of 18 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Resore, fun and useful

By RDHurst

from Kent WA

About Me Quality Oriented

See all my reviews

Pros

Charge lasted for 10 days
Charges Quickly
Compact and light weight
Compact fits in pocket
Easy to charge with usb
Light Weight
Long Lasting
Nice color combo
Package was cool
Powerful
Reliable Performance

Cons

Best Uses

Charges quickly
Easy to operate
Good of on the go
Portable Electronics
Travel

Comments about Brunton Restore Portable Power Device:

I charged it up using the provided usb cord. The first time took awhile, but no problem. It keep a charge for about 10 days. I charged my cell phone on it several times before it ran out of power. It has a cool little light on the side. You need to remember to turn on the unit to charge your phone. I didn't use the solar power as yet, but I am sure it will work great too. Easy to use, light weight and a good value for the money.

May

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Poor performance.

By PCTrekker

from Southwest Missouri

About Me Quality Oriented

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Lacks Power
Poor performance
Short Life

Best Uses

Comments about Brunton Restore Portable Power Device:

I purchased this unit, really needing a good power supply and really, really wanting it to work. I've given it about 4 opportunities to impress me, or at least satisfy me.

Unfortunately, my experiences is that a smaller, cheaper 1,100 mah has routinely outperformed this larger 2,000 mah unit at a fraction of the weight and size. It may very well be defective as it charges in about 30 minutes (according to the 4 blue lights), and charges only about 250mah worth (small bluetooth headset once or almost twice).

Oct

2011

4.0

Does what I want it to do!

By DesertPhreak

from Tucson, AZ

About Me Quality Oriented

See all my reviews

Pros

Charges Quickly
Good Value
Long Lasting
Powerful
Reliable Performance

Cons

Best Uses

Portable Electronics

Comments about Brunton Restore Portable Power Device:

How you use the product:
I am an active Geocacher and use my smartphone for almost all my caching adventures. While I love the usability of the smartphone for Geocaching, the app I use and having the GPS turned on is a total Battery drain! I can only get about 2 hours of Geocaching out of my phone before I have to recharge it. My wife bought me this for my birthday and it has been great as I have been able to recharge my phone while out caching! It recharges my phone faster than if it's plugged into my computer through USB but not quite as fast as through an AC wall jack. It has made all the difference for me and works better than I expected for how I need it to work. I have attached the unit to my day pack to utilize the Solar panels but I haven't been gone long enough to notice if I'm gaining much of a charge from it.

I would highly recommend this unit if you're using it to charge your smartphone or small electronics. I would have given it 5 stars if I had had a chance to test the Solar functionality.

Things that are great about it:
Fast recharge of my smartphone
Can charge my phone multiple times on one Battery Backup charge.

Things that aren't so great about it:
Works great form my intended use!