Ecosol Powerstick USB iPhone Charger Review

The iPhone 3G is great but the battery life is something that needs vast improvement if you’re a heavy user. You might have remember my original battery woes but to see a significant change in battery life we’ll have to wait for the 3rd generation iPhone 4G (follow these tips for better iPhone battery life).

So the only solution to keep your iPhone juices going are through 3rd party backup battery solutions. So far we’ve reviewed the Mophie Juice Pack for the first gen iPhone, Brando iPhone Powerstation, iPowerRush, and my personal favorite the Richard Solo backup battery. With so many choices available you only have yourself to blame if you run out of battery!

Today we’re going to take a look at another battery back up solution, the Powerstick by Ecosol. This recharging solution is not just for the Apple iPhone–it can also charge other phones too. The Powerstick is a “green” charging solution because the unit is recharged via USB on your computer. In a way it’s great because you don’t need any cables or reliance on wall chargers, but you will need a computer with a USB port. This unit will make the ultimate travelling companion, as you won’t need a separate adapter to charge the Powerstick.

The neat thing about the Powerstick is that it’s a Canadian made product. Inside the box you’ll find the Powerstick itself along with 9 included connectors: Nokia 1/2, Mini USB, Motorola, LG, Sony 1/2, Samsung, and iPod/iPhone. It’s definitely a bonus to be able to use this charger with all your cellphones, not just your iPhone. The stick itself is the size of a large pack of Juicy Fruit gum and weighs about 40 grams. Small enough to fit into your jeans pocket or your man-purse (I know some of you out there have one–don’t lie).

To charge the unit, just plug it into your USB port on your computer. At first I thought I had a faulty unit because the “gas guage” wasn’t displaying any indication that it was charging. Well, low and behold about 10 minutes later the unit started to charge one square block at at time.

How well does the Powerstick work? Well, I was able to charge my iPhone 3G to about 80% from the 20% low battery indicator. Regarding the connector itself, I did have some issues with it staying connected to my iPhone 3G’s socket. It was a bit loose so I had to jimmy it a bit to ensure it was charging. Ecosol recently updated their Powerstick to a new design so maybe the adapters have changed too. Just something to keep in mind.

The unit sells for $69.99 and is available from your local BestBuy. It is a little on the steep side, but if you are in desperate need of the USB capabilities, you might consider the Powerstick. For $49, your options include the Richard Solo unit with free shipping to Canada. There is a new Richard Solo 1800 unit that I will be reviewing soon with 50% more capacity of the original Richard Solo unit for the same price as the Powerstick. The Brando Powerstation is $22US. Make sure you inform yourself before you buy this holiday season–I’m here to help. 😉

It’s great that we have so many different choices when it comes to choosing a backup battery solution. Since Apple hasn’t solved our battery issues, it looks like taking matter into your own hands is the only way to go. The Powerstick is small enough and can charge your iPhone 2G/3G, iPods, and other cellphones. Not bad for a relatively small USB stick form factor! Remember, you’re not an iPhone 3G owner unless you have your charger or some other sort of backup battery solution with you at all times!

[Powerstick]

Remembrance Day–November 11, 2008

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

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