Power bank for a trip to China for idevices. Necessary or not ?

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martyyn

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#223494 2-Oct-2017 12:42

I wasn't sure where to put this one !

A client and his business partner are off to China in two weeks. They both have iphone7's and one will take an ipad.

I'm wondering if it's worth them buying a power bank each and if so what to look for. I understand there are restrictions on the capacities they can have now with most airlines.

Anyone have any suggestions with what can be bought in NZ ? My initial thought was for an Anker but I'm not sure if it will get here on time.

Is a power bank even necessary in China ?

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#1876057 2-Oct-2017 12:42

Allow me to introduce you folks to our new travel community: TravelTalk NZ.

We hope to see you there!

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

JoshWright

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#1876069 2-Oct-2017 12:55

If I were them I would hold out until getting to China, and buy a quality one there if necessary (can hard to find a decent one in NZ without paying a ton, due to shipping requirements).

Airline should have USB charging for the flight there/back.

martyyn

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#1876072 2-Oct-2017 13:04

If I was going myself I'd do exactly that, but they are far from tech-savvie and would prefer to just have something available right at the start.

I was thinking of an Anker PowerCore 10400mAh for each of them.

frankv

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#1876079 2-Oct-2017 13:16

It depends a bit on what they plan to do while they're there. On a recent trip to the USA, I found a power bank to be invaluable; I used my phone for navigating while driving, and the wimpy USB supply in the car couldn't keep up. You might want to think about a solar-charged power bank?

I'm not familiar with iThings. Does the iPad have a USB socket or two and a decent battery? If so, you could think of it as a power bank for the phones.

I agree that buying power banks in China should be much cheaper than NZ. But in China language difficulties mike make it hard to get to wherever they're sold cheaply, and you could be stuck with paying airport prices. I think I'd buy one beforehand (about a month ago, from AliExpress ;) ).

There didn't seem to be any issues with carrying my power bank on an aircraft; given that all? aircraft and airports have USB supplies nowadays, you can put it in your checked luggage.

KrazyKid

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#1876081 2-Oct-2017 13:20

If its a business trip a power bank is probably a business expense so just buy one.

Even if it is not they are not expensive and worth it so you don't run out of juice on the flight over watching movies or anything.
Having to make a shopping trip after the fact (of running out of battery) could just be a hassle if they are pushed for time.

I purchased a $30 Warehouse Technic powerbank a few months ago for an Aussie trip. 10000mAh and worked a treat.
has a 2.1A USB out so charges fast.

I'd buy one again (not that I need to :) )

From memory someone in geekzone had pulled one apart and tested it - reasonable quality/batteries etc.
A quick search should find you the thread.

Oh and I didn't need to put it in check luggage - could carry it onboard with me. Other airlines might be different, but Air NZ and Jetstar were fine

bluedisk

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#1876095 2-Oct-2017 13:43

I've used one of these for about three years and its brilliant, charges iphone very quickly, holds it charge for ages and has a little led torch as well.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/BAPTPL0400/TP-Link-TL-PB10400-Power-Bank-10400mAh-2xUSB-Ports

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LennonNZ

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#1876174 2-Oct-2017 15:18

The Specs for a Power Bank to be allowed on a plane is up to a Max of 100Wh so you should check the Wh before you buy any power bank.

I have an Anker PowerCore+ 26800wAh which is 98Wh (basically the largest capacity you can have - without notification) but a 20000wAh of another brand may be more than 100Wh so you need to actually check.

Here are AirNZ rules: https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/travelling-with-lithium-batteries

but I believe the rules are universal.

If you cannot prove the Wh if asked it could be taken off you. Make sure you buy something that has it clearly marked .

Anker does have it labeled but its so tiny Its hard to read but I also take the manual which also has the specs)

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LennonNZ

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#1876181 2-Oct-2017 15:29

JoshWright:

If I were them I would hold out until getting to China, and buy a quality one there if necessary (can hard to find a decent one in NZ without paying a ton, due to shipping requirements).

Airline should have USB charging for the flight there/back.

I've found most seat USB will be useless for charging power banks/powering iPads/Large Phones. (As they are 1A or less). I took a 240/110 power adapter->USB and used that to charge up devices. (you probably only find power adapters in Business/First Class). Charge up your power bank before you get on the plane. My 98Wh power bank can charge my iphone 7 about 7 times.

sbiddle

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#1876252 2-Oct-2017 16:58

JoshWright:

Airline should have USB charging for the flight there/back.

USB ports on planes are the biggest waste of time ever. They're pretty much useless unless you have a 12hr flight because that's about how long it takes to charge a modern device using one!

Getting back to answering the OP's question a Powerbank is as about as useful as you want it to be. I know I never travel without one, but as to whether you need one really depends on your usage.

I wrote about the airline restrictions a while back - https://traveltalk.nz/news-opinion/travel/traveling-portable-usb-powerbank-make-sure-youre-aware-rules/

sbiddle

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#1876254 2-Oct-2017 17:00

KrazyKid:

Oh and I didn't need to put it in check luggage - could carry it onboard with me. Other airlines might be different, but Air NZ and Jetstar were fine

You can't check Powerbanks in. They must travel with you as carry on and all airlines permit this (they've never not permitted them).

Put it in your checked luggage whether it's domestic or international and it's the last time you'll ever see it as it'll be detected during the baggage xray and confiscated.

eracode

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#1876285 2-Oct-2017 17:45

sbiddle:

KrazyKid:

Oh and I didn't need to put it in check luggage - could carry it onboard with me. Other airlines might be different, but Air NZ and Jetstar were fine

You can't check Powerbanks in. They must travel with you as carry on and all airlines permit this (they've never not permitted them).

Put it in your checked luggage whether it's domestic or international and it's the last time you'll ever see it as it'll be detected during the baggage xray and confiscated.

Is the 100Wh limit mentioned above correct though? I'd be p'ed off if I got to security check and have them take it off me.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

sbiddle

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#1876294 2-Oct-2017 18:30

eracode:

sbiddle:

KrazyKid:

Oh and I didn't need to put it in check luggage - could carry it onboard with me. Other airlines might be different, but Air NZ and Jetstar were fine

You can't check Powerbanks in. They must travel with you as carry on and all airlines permit this (they've never not permitted them).

Put it in your checked luggage whether it's domestic or international and it's the last time you'll ever see it as it'll be detected during the baggage xray and confiscated.

Is the 100Wh limit mentioned above correct though? I'd be p'ed off if I got to security check and have them take it off me.

Yes 100Wh is correct.

I'm confused what you mean by your comment. You can't check Powerbanks so the 100Wh is the limit. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse.

China is actually incredibly strict on the carriage of anything with lithium batteries. When I was there last year all phones and powerbanks had to be screened individually and were also physically inspected.

richms

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#1876297 2-Oct-2017 18:40

People leaving HK were finding them confiscated if they didn't list the watt hours on them. Even mAh was not enough to keep them happy. But things change over there all the time depending on their mood so they might be capable of multiplying by 3.6 now.

Richard rich.ms

hairy1

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#1876299 2-Oct-2017 18:51

Yep. I have a mate who travels to China a lot and anything labeled with more than 10000 mAH often gets the bin as they can't be bothered working out the Watt Hours

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

CamH

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#1876332 2-Oct-2017 20:41

Pickup a few Xiaomi Power Banks from PBtech. Everytime I visit China, HK or Macau they see the Mi logo and don't even ask questions.

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