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Power your iPhone (and other gadgets) for up to a week - Gadling reviews the ZAGGsparq
Portable backup power gadgets are nothing new. We've covered a whole bunch of them here, but today's battery pack is something really special. Most power packs have the capacity for one or two full charges of your portable gadget, so imagine how cool it would be if you carried something capable of making your iPhone (or other device) last for up to a week.
This review will introduce you to the ZAGGsparq. The ZAGG name probably rings a bell, they are better known for their excellent device protection film, and their recently introduced ZAGGbox multimedia hub.
The ZAGGsparq looks like your everyday power brick. It features folding prongs, 2 USB ports, a button and 4 LED's. It is what is inside the ZAGGsparq that makes it so handy - an AC charger (suitable for 100V-240V outlets) and a 6000mAh Lithium-Polymer battery pack. If that number doesn't make any sense, all you need to know is that the battery in the iPhone 3G is 1150mAh. This means you can get up to five full iPhone charges from the ZAGGsparq.
Using the ZAGGsparq
Using the ZAGGsparq is just like using any regular USB charger - you plug your device(s) into the USB port, and plug the unit into the wall. When you need power on the go, you just plug them directly into the unit, and skip the outlet.
Despite its high capacity, the unit weighs just 8.4 ounces. This is obviously heavier than the original iPhone charger (which is tiny), but when you travel a lot, being able to keep your phone going this long is invaluable. Just imagine a powerpack that can keep your iPhone playing video for up to 50 hours non-stop, or even as much as 150 hours of music.
The investment
The price of such a luxury is fairly steep - the ZAGGsparq sells for $99.99 (down from its normal price of $129.99). If you never find yourself with a dead phone, then spending $100 isn't going to make much sense. But if you have ever been stuck at the airport, or mid-flight with a dead device, you'll find the investment pretty simple to justify.
Of course, the ZAGGsparq isn't just for the iPhone - it'll work with any device that can be charged over USB. This includes all Blackberries, iPods, many digital cameras and game consoles and anything else with a compatible USB charger cord. It will not power your laptop or netbook, for that you'll need to invest in something like the Tekkeon MyPower All.
Final thoughts
There is very little not to like about a device that promises to keep your gadgets going. The weight is not too bad, it has two USB ports and it works on any international power supply (assuming you carry your own plug adapters). Included with the unit is a European (mainland) plug adapter, but no USB cables.
My only minor issue with the device is that the fourth power status LED never seems to stay on - even when I have not used the device. After a full charge, I have all four lights, but after a couple of hours it always drops to three. Still, it has not impacted its power capacity (at least not that I have noticed) and in my tests, it really does deliver on its promise - my iPhone 3GS has been charged every night on the ZAGGsparq for the past 4 nights, without the need for a wall outlet.
PROS: Huge battery capacity, dual USB ports, worldwide power compatibility
CONS: Possibly unreliable battery indicator
Product page: ZAGGsparq
Filed under: Gadling Gear Review
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wake Jan 31st 2010 4:27AM
I have the EXACT same issue with the 4th LED, after awhile it just started coming off the charger with only 3 LEDs lit, kinda scary thought that I'm losing capacity without touching it, and after a couple days of not using it, the LEDs will drop to 2 and then eventually to 1. At which point I instinctively just charge it, out of fear the li-poly battery will discharge all and not be able to be recharged. Glad to hear your's didn't suffer capacity loss, however I'm still considering sending mine back.. :/ (also can't charge my N900, but that one's not Zagg's fault)
Wayne Schulz Jan 31st 2010 9:41AM
Macrumors has a lengthy thread on this. At least one forum member commented that they were told Zagg is no longer selling this and that a Zagg Sparq2 is in the works.
The reviews were decidedly mixed - my own testing was terrible and I sent mine back. On three occasions the Zagg Sparq drained power from my Nexus One overnight instead of charging.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=9149812&postcount=60
Here's the MacRumor thread:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=831099
Scott Carmichael Jan 31st 2010 11:40AM
Wayne - interesting read, and the "defect" would certainly explain why I'm dropping to three LED's.
I have not experienced any problems with mine, and after several weeks it still works perfectly, but it is hard to ignore the reports of defective units and people who have been swapping them out this often.
I'll ask Zagg for a reply and an update on the ZaggSparq2 - it only seems fair that anyone with an original ZaggSparq receive the fixed version for free.
Thanks!
ZAGG customer service Feb 12th 2010 5:03PM
Thank you to all posters who alerted ZAGG to the charging malfunction with some of our ZAGGsparq™ Portable Battery Backup & Chargers. We have traced the problem to a quality control issue with a component that we purchased from a third-party manufacturer. The problem did not show up on our internal quality assurance tests because the specific components we were testing were not defective. The issue emerged only when we began shipping the finished products.
This problem poses no safety hazard. Both the ZAGGsparq and your charging devices are completely safe. At ZAGG, we want to ensure that your ZAGGsparq delivers the high quality performance you have come to expect from all ZAGG products.
Therefore, if you have experienced problems with your ZAGGsparq, we will replace it free of charge with our new and improved model that will be available in late March. The new model, the ZAGGsparq 2.0™, will solve the charging issue. Just let us know if you have had a problem.
To receive a replacement ZAGGsparq 2.0 at no cost, customers simply need to mail back their original ZAGGsparq unit. Customers will receive a prepaid shipping label and envelope to return their original unit back to ZAGG for recycling and to qualify for a free ZAGGsparq 2.0.
Please contact us to confirm your mailing address and participate in our Free Replacement Program. You may call us at 1-800-700-ZAGG (M-F, 9am – 5pm, MT), or email us by visiting ZAGG.com/contact.