Have you ever been caught out by a flat device while travelling? Maybe you forgot to charge your phone the night before or simply left your ipod on play and now its dead flat and your stuck on a bus for the next 6 hours with no music. I know I have, especially when staying in a hostel where power outlets are at a premium. It’s generally at that moment I curse myself for having never invested in some form of travel battery.
For those with some form of travel savviness about them you’ve probably already invested in one of those battery backup cases for your phone. They do the job but I hate having my phone in a case adding bulk to my travel gear especially when it only has one use. On top of that I’m normally travelling with a tablet, mifi and Go Pro that are all charged via USB just like my phone.
Having some form of travel battery isn’t going to be for everyone. But for myself where my livelihood depends on my ability to interact with the world via the internet ensuring I have power to do that is a must. Not to forget my camera is my phone so getting caught short with no power while I’m on the road really irks me.
When deciding on which product would be the best fit for me I came up with a list of things I wanted out of a travel battery:
- Is it bulky
- Needs to offer multiple charges for my gadgets
- Needs to be travel friendly
- Have more than one USB charging plug
With all of my requirements outlined set about finding something that would fit my needs. Many devices had some of the above but there was only one device that had everything (in my eyes) and that was Just Mobile and their Gum Max Duo unit. It boasts:
- Shockproof rubber skin
- Dual USB Ports
- Weights only half a kilogram
- And stats up to 7 extra hours run time for my tablet
Having now tested the battery pack out for the last few weeks while travelling in Europe I couldn’t be happier. In testing I’ve got around 5 full charges of my iPhone out a single charge for the battery and that included keeping my mifi device powered as well. Dealing with the half kilo weight was never a problem as I always have my backpack with me so would charge my gadgets when I wasn’t using them, like on a bus or even the plane.
The rubber skin adds extra security to the device as it bounces around in my backpack and while I’d not call it that, serves as a spill resistant case in a pinch. The size of the device is not much bigger than your average external hard drive and while they tend to weight half of what this does it’s not been a problem for me to carry around.
All in all its been exactly what I wanted, so to celebrate I’m giving one away
The device retails for $129.95 AUD and comes with a black protective skin in the box but I’m also giving you the choice of one of the extra colours available being Red, Yellow or Blue.
All you need to do is fill out the form below. The more options you complete the more chance you’ll have of winning this great bit of travel kit.
I however have to add a small disclaimer in that this giveaway is only open to entrants with shipping address’ based in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK, Canada and America. The competition is open from Monday the 24th June until 10pm Monday the 1st of July London GMT time.
While all opinions are my own the review and giveaway unit were provided free by Just Mobile
An awesome device for travel!
I’m always looking for the latest tech around to make travel or live in general easier.
would be extremely handy to have one and if i didnt win this one i would go and buy one anyway as i am leaving Aus for England in 3 weeks on YMV.
Chris its been a great thing to have for the past month or so. Saved me from a flat phone while out exploring all day and came in handy when the hotel only had power outlets on one side of the room and I wanted to charge my phone next to me to use as an alarm.
Also good luck in England, I’ll be back there this month hopefully and can’t wait, miss the place.
Cool prize. Would be super dooper to have one of these on our road trip!! Red one thanks 🙂
Craig that would be handy on the road trip, especially if your camping out with no power nearby 🙂
I just bought something similar to take to a music festival but it really only holds one iPhone charge. It’s good for a blogging conference where I can plug in when I get back from the day’s events, but this looks a good bit better.
Caroline I looked at similar items to what you may have bought. Its nice because they are generally smaller but if i’m using my mifi device and phone etc there isn’t enough power to go around. The Gum Max Duo will definitely be bigger and heavier than what you have but as long as you have a backpack with you, you never know its there.
This is perfect for our summer camp trips!
What a cool gadget and so small!
I have been traveling Erope for the past 10 months and I have 4 months to go until I head back to Chicago. Would be awesome to have this for the rest of my trip, or even for my trip to Australia and Thailand Summer 2015. Thanks for the opportunity to get one! Great blog! And happy travels!
Lydia no problem at all. I’m all for gadgets that help us out in our travels and I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time. For anybody that hates running out of power its perfect.
Chris – l would recommend contacting Camping F1 as they have 1200 pax in the formula 1 campsites and many hundreds are without power for at least 4-5 days. (There are 6 european summer races btw – with hundreds of thousands of campers / race enthusiasts eager to have their cameras and phones charged at their ready).
I can see a stall ready made for you … have Webber /Riccardo endorse it and you’re set!
i can send you more info in you like via PM.
As you know lm following the F1 this summer, hence its a great gadget for a sporting / musical event where one is camping.
OMG can you imagine what price they’d go for at Glastonbury LOL ???
Anthea I can just feel the excitement in your post. Ready made business right there huh 🙂
I had something similar from Japan that was a little bit flatter and offered around the same amount of charge to my devices. They’re great, especially when you stay in a hostel and can’t find a spare powerpoint for the night.
My only criticism is that mine took forever to recharge. How long does it take the Gum Max Duo’s to charge to full?
Ugh I need this SO bad!
I can’t see a form below, but I can’t see anyone else having posted with this problem. I’m probably being blind. Can someone link me?
But this is great information to have! Power on the go always seems to be a problem. Thanks for the article!
How do you find the compatibility with non apple devices? Looking on the Just Mobile site it only lists apple devices as compatible, can you charge a camera or an Android phone off it?
Simon I never really understood the compatibly listing on the page for the battery to be honest. If its outputting the correct voltage etc then in theory it should charge any standard product that charges via USB.
So far I’ve used it to charge my mifi device, iPhone, iPad and my Go Pro temporarily. I’ve no android phone but imagine it would work just fine.
I’ve been looking for one of these for ages! I try as hard as I can to switch off from the electronic world on my travels, but there’s always a need to charge a camera battery and even GPS in some cases!
Great review, thanks!
Headed to Europe in August followed by exchange study in Leeds for a year, I think this might come in very handy 🙂
Yay! What a brilliant give away!! I am in dire need of one of these and would love to invest in one. I am leaving for Europe in a month and it would help me out a lot. Hope I win!!
Cheers!
Jess aka Poots
I can’t believe I haven’t heard of these before! Might have to invest in one of these myself, or something similar. Sounds incredibly useful.
Love it, didn’t know about this precise model. Hope I win! 😉
This looks amazing,, Cant count how many times while travelling I’ve needed extra power.
I’m just jealous of everyone on the last trip having one, so I want one too.