Where to find a battery USB charger?

April 7, 2008 4:22 AM

Help me keep my mp3 player charged while I'm travelling!

I'm travelling in a couple of months, and taking my mp3 player with me of course. However, with a couple of long flights ahead of me I'm worried that my mp3 player won't last the duration, and that I won't be able to charge it while flying.

What I'm seeking is essentially a battery pack with a USB socket in it, so I can load it up with fresh batteries and then charge from that. I would have thought it was easier to find such a device than it has been, but perhaps my search terms are all wrong.

posted by tomble to technology (9 comments total)

Some Googling turned up something called the PowerStick that should do what you need, but I don't have any personal experience with it.

There are also various DIY USB charger solutions like this one.
posted by burnmp3s at 4:31 AM on April 7

'usb external battery' turned up this and this. 'universal power pack' is a good bet, too.
posted by unmake at 5:39 AM on April 7

I actually have a MP3 cd player for this purpose (about $35-40). That way I can burn MP3 collections to CD (and in many countries I go to, they sell mp3 cds). I can also then buy regular batteries anywhere, and if the player gets stolen, I'm not out $150-250.

Just a thought.
posted by waylaid at 6:15 AM on April 7

Radio shack carries the iGo battery powered charger. You can get several adapters to charge most any type of gadget.
posted by GPF at 6:26 AM on April 7

I use the energizer power to go to charge my cell phone which charges via mini usb (blackberry)
posted by ZackTM at 8:30 AM on April 7

This Duracell pack is pretty handy, though it was a much better deal at its old $100 price.
posted by Caviar at 11:37 AM on April 7

I'll swear by the Black and Decker VPX AC/USB Power Source . I carry two of them when I'm out in the field. One to charge my cell, and one for my MP3 player.
posted by Isosceles at 11:53 AM on April 7

I've looked into this as well, and people seem to like the TekCharge MP1550. Uses 4 AA batteries (probably best to use rechargeable or Eneloops), outputs to USB, comes with a cable and a bunch of tips already, and it even charges the batteries too (probably poorly, since it's through USB: but better than lugging around another charger). Cheap, $20: but good rechargable batteries will add another $10 or so.
posted by meowzilla at 1:28 PM on April 7

Thanks, folks!

Interestingly enough I stumbled across one quite by accident at a local electronics store. Better yet it's $6.95

Link
posted by tomble at 9:04 PM on April 8