Pelican Power Brick Review

stevenator65 · 01-22-06, 05:16 PM

Pelican Power Brick Review
By Steve Laser
Stevenator65

UPDATE: 4/1/06 This product is being RECALLED - DO NOT PURCHASE!

Rating 3.75 / 5

Tested on an Axim x50v wm2003se
Price as Tested: $19.99 @ Radio Shack for unit one (also find it at Walmart, Target, Gamestop)
Dimensions (inches): 2 13/16 x 2 5/8 x 9/16
Price as Tested: $13.00 @ g-toyz (plus $3.00 delivery charge) for unit two
Dimensions (inches): 2 13/16 x 3 1/16 x 5/8
Pelican Web Site: http://www.pelicanacc.com/psp/psp_spec_sheet/6018.htm

I'm going on my second trip this month. In fact, this year I'm traveling at least once per month every month except for December. I need power. But here's my dilemma. I don't want to constantly switch batteries, I don't want a large battery protruding out the back of my Axim because I need it to fit into my pocket and my car navigation cradle, and I don't want to spend too much money.

Power Options
My options were to get a Mugen 1800mAh for hefty $50, a Socket Communications Mobile Power Pack for $121 (Ouch!) or a Double A Battery Extender cheap from Ebay. The problem is you have to buy a separate battery charger and batteries, then it becomes more expensive. I searched all the threads on Aximsite until I came to THIS one by the brilliant pwborders. He certainly went "outside the box" for a solution.

Controversy
Now the big question: Does it work? Before I delve into that, I invite you to join in the controversy. Take a look at the PSP sites and the two threads here at Aximsite: Thread 1, Thread 2. Do they explode? Do they overheat? There are lots of opinions both good and bad. This is because there are two different units that are nearly identical.
I bought these two different units, one from g-toyz on Ebay, and one from Radio Shack. User msadler described the differences perfectly in this thread. Also, refer to my photo. The Radio Shack model is smaller than the g-toyz model. Both come in identical packaging. If you didn't get both models to compare side by side you'd never know there was a difference. Both have a cord that plugs from the Power Brick to the Axim. Neither comes with a charger. To charge them you use the Axim charger. The instructions say it takes 4 hours, but it took closer to 6 hours to reach a full charge for the g-toyz model, and 4.5 hours for the Radio Shack model. To plug them into the Axim you use the dongle that comes with the Axim, and plug it into the end of the Brick's wire and into the Axim. The LED light will stop flashing when fully charged.

Initial Short Test
When I plugged in the g-toyz model the Axim's power light turned orange so I figured it was charging. The unit started off with a 38% charge. However, when I went to the power settings it showed it was not being charged. Sure enough, after 15 minutes it lost 6% of its battery life even though the unit was off. It ended at a 32% charge. I then plugged in the Radio Shack model. After 15 minutes, with the unit off, it went from a 38% charge to a 50% charge.
I then did a test with both running a movie. The g-toyz model started off with the Axim charged to 41% and I let it run a movie for 10 minutes. At this point the power was down to 30%. The power program showed again, that even though the orange light was on, it wasn't charging. I then ran a movie for 10 minutes with the Radio Shack model. It showed no power loss and showed that it was charging in the power program. Neither unit got overly hot nor experienced screen flicker. It is my belief that the g-toyz model didn't emit screen flicker b/c it didn't provide power, whereas the Radio Shack model provided adequate power.

Long Test
Ran movie continuously while Power Brick was plugged in:
At 1:51pm battery power is at 41% when I began the movie and charging.
At 2:16pm (25 minutes) battery power is at 66%.
At 2:27pm (36 minutes) battery power is at 77%.
At 2:39pm (48 minutes) battery power is at 89%.
At 3:12pm (81 minutes) battery power is at 97%.
After a little over 3 ½ hours the Axim started using its own battery power.

Power Numbers
The Axim needs 5v to charge. According to Pelican, its output is 3.6v. However, several Aximsiters have measured the output at 5v or over, so this is not an issue. Internally it has two 3.6v lithium ion cells 1800mAh each for a total of 3600mAh. Perhaps one of our resident engineers can translate this for us into usable numbers. If I understand correctly, this should, in theory, give you about 3.5 times the battery power of the standard 1100mAh battery.

Controversy Examined
The controversy is what caused me to buy two different units. I was so excited, while in the middle of reading the threads about this product, that I went to g-toyz and ordered one. Then after the order I went back to reading the threads and realized I should have finished reading before ordering. The online version of the brick is nearly identical, down to the sticker on the back, except for the size of the unit. But the online, or g-toyz version, just doesn't do the job. The main reason I'm writing this review is so the next guy/gal can make an informed decision. Buy from Radio Shack, Walmart, Target, Gamestop or another quality place that accepts returns and you shouldn't have a problem. Because if you do, you can just exchange it. Some things are good to buy online, but this is not one of those things. Do these units overheat, explode, fail, and not work? It depends which you buy. Again, buy from a reputable dealer and you can exchange a failed unit. Try and save $3 to $5 and take your chances.

In Sum...Buy the Brick From the Brick...and Mortar
Many users have reported a 4 to 5 hour gain in power, depending on the type of usage. The controversy stems not from the Pelican Power Brick itself, but from their purchase source. Buy from a reputable dealer that takes returns and you have no worries. When msadler had a problem he simply returned to Radio Shack and exchanged the unit with no problem. Buying from a reputable dealer also assures you'll buy the smaller of the two Bricks, as the larger one is the one that is so controversial. Try exchanging a unit with g-toyz and I imagine you'll run into quite a bit more difficulty, expense, and loss of time. These units may not be perfect, but for the price they provide an abundance of easy to use power.

Pros:
*Small, easy to carry
*Powerful
*Easy to use
*Very Inexpensive

Cons
*Controversial-must buy from reputable source
*questionable build quality

cng · 01-22-06, 05:54 PM

I have given up on finding a Power Brick in stores in Canada. I'll buy one the next time I go down to the states.

Tankman · 01-22-06, 06:45 PM

Steve, nice review.

I think I'm going to look into the "Brick" for the same reasons you have.

TANKS! :approve:

jimbo32 · 01-22-06, 07:47 PM

Enjoyed your review. Just wish I had read it before I wasted my money $13 on the piece of garbage from g-toyz. I actually did try to find it locally before purchasing online, but to no avail. Checked Circuit City, Best Buy, Target and Walmart with no luck.

By the way, there seems to also be a similar controversy with Pelican PSP car adapters. There seem to be two different Pelican PSP car adapters, both with the same model number, but one works and one doesn't. I unfortunately also ended up with the one that does NOT work. I did purchase it at Walmart. The two adapters at least look different. The one that does NOT work is the more stylish looking silver/black model.

I'm inclined to just avoid Pelican products, since you just never know what you're getting and they avoid providing specifications on the package or even on their web site.

I'm using a PSP car adapter by Intec that came in a PSP starter kit I found on clearance at Walmart for $5 and it works great with my X50V.

cng · 01-22-06, 09:05 PM

Lol, I bet there are two Pelican companies too. One fake, one not. For the working Power Brick, I think it deserves 4.5 if not 5 for size, price and capacity.

stevenator65 · 01-22-06, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by cng

Lol, I bet there are two Pelican companies too. One fake, one not. For the working Power Brick, I think it deserves 4.5 if not 5 for size, price and capacity.

I would've given it a higher score had not msadler had an overheating problem w/his. The saving grace was that he was able to exchange it at Radio Shack.

01-22-06, 10:03 PM

Good review Steve! Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve next. :approve:

01-22-06, 10:19 PM

Steve:
Another nice review. :approve: Thanks for pulling everything together from pwborders original find. My Pelican power brick from Gamestop has worked wonderfully well so far. My family's heading to Florida in a few weeks and watching an inflight-Axim movie will be no problem now! (O'hare to Orlando via Dallas that's two movies right there) I also look forward to my next conference where I can plug the brick into Dell's foldable keyboard to provide all the power I need for my docked X30 mid while typing. This thing sure beats the home made unit I was trying to make using a heavy six volt gel cell.

stevenator65 · 01-22-06, 10:32 PM

Thanks, Akretsch! Your comments were a big influence in my getting the second Brick from Radio Shack.

sfbong80 · 01-23-06, 12:22 AM

How do you charge Pelican Power Bricks ?
i understand that PSP comes with AC charger so i guess PSP people
don't have to buy charger but Axim users need to get the charger right?

stevenator65 · 01-23-06, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by sfbong80

How do you charge Pelican Power Bricks ?
i understand that PSP comes with AC charger so i guess PSP people
don't have to buy charger but Axim users need to get the charger right?

Just use your Axim charger. :approve:

nosrac · 02-04-06, 01:01 AM

Great review. I picked up two power bricks from Bestbuy tonight. They had them on sale for 20% off of $19.99. Question: Once this is charged completely, is it safe to run the Axim plugged into the power brick and have the power brick plugged into the Dell power supply? (w/ the power supply plugged into a wall socket, of course)

stevenator65 · 02-04-06, 01:36 AM

Nosrac, I can't see any harm in charging it that way. I've done that a few times myself, but never when the Ax was very low. It always seems to charge both the Brick and the Ax but I don't have any performance figures for doing it that way. Perhaps one of our engineers can give a better answer.

sbddude · 02-04-06, 07:57 PM

Does your powerbrick make a high-pitched squeal when charging your axim?

02-05-06, 01:17 PM

Hi sbddude and

to the site.
My Pelican makes the same high pitched squeal as yours does. One other person reported this behavior in the original Pelican thread: http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=98119
But no one else spoke up on that point in that thread. Maybe others are experiencing the same thing. IMHO, it doesn't seem to be a problem other than a mild audible nuisance. BTW how do you like it otherwise?