Whether you're setting out on an expedition to far-flung corners of the globe or traveling to a more civilized setting, having an easy to use power supply is a must these days. After all, no matter where we're headed, we usually have a slew of electronic gadgets in tow. In my case, I rarely leave home without a smartphone, tablet, and laptop, and depending on where I'm going, I often have rechargeable headlamps, GPS devices, cameras, and other gear as well. Because of this, I'm always on the lookout for a good way to keep those items charged and I may have found the perfect solution at last.Launching today, the new Saber portable power pack from Romeo Power Technology offers 86 watt-hours of power in a device that you can hold in the palm of your hand. That is enough to recharge most laptops – including a MacBook Pro – twice. It can also recharge a smartphone more than ten times, and a table anywhere form two to four times.
The Saber comes with a USB-C port, two standard USB ports, and more importantly, a built-in AC inverter. That means that you can plug in just about any device, just as you would a wall socket. The Saber can provide power to anything that draws 90 watts or less, meaning it can be used to recharge DSLR camera batteries in the field or even a drone. In a sense, it is a bit like having a lightweight, portable generator that you can take with you pretty much anywhere.
We've seen a number of power packs using built-in inverters in recent months, but what sets the Saber apart from the competition is that it is both built for the outdoors and designed to recharge rapidly itself. This power pack is IP67 rated for protection against moisture, dust, and drops. And while usually a battery this massive would take the better part of a day to charge, the Saber can be juiced up in just two hours, both from a wall socket or the 12V plug in your car. It can also be charged via solar, but the time it takes to complete a charge varies depending on direct sunlight available, type of solar panel, and so on.
When compared to other portable power packs, the Saber is a bit on the heavy side, weighing in at 2.2 pounds (1kg), but considering what it packs into its small package, that is relatively small. This is a power solution that goes beyond the usual USB battery packs that most of us carry when traveling. This is a device that is built for outdoor professionals who need plenty of power at all times, but don't want to compromise on durability and reliability while in the field.
The Saber is available for preorder today and for a limited time is available for just $199. After the preorder period ends, and the device begins shipping on Cyber Monday in November, it sell for $299. So, if you're in the market for a great portable power pack, and the Saber looks like something that might fit your needs, it is worth it to preorder now.
I'm hoping to get my hands on one of the devices and give it a proper test and review at a future time. Stay tuned for that.
