Octagon Computer Store Review and another iPhone Portable Charger

Last Wednesday, I was in Megamall and saw yet another charger in Octagon Computer Store.

It's a Connectland portable charger with model number "CHG-USB-DX-P112". (Priced at Php 395.00)
Click here for the Specifications (PDF file) of the Connectland USB Battery Box

Anyway, if this is the first time you've read my blog review about portable iPhone chargers, you might want to check out what other iPhone portable chargers that DO NOT actually work.

Here is a list of iPhone portable chargers that do not work:
1. iPhone Emergency Charger Using 2 AA Batteries
2. Clik brand - Square iPhone Emergency Charger using 2 AAA Batteries
3. iPhone portable battery pack - Mobile Power Station emergency iPhone battery


You might ask me why I still bought it after previously buying and returning similar products that didn't work. Well, this one utilizes 4 AA batteries! Four! That is why I had my hopes up and kept my fingers-crossed, hoping this would finally work.

Some more photos of the said Connectland USB Battery Box:






Connectland's Website - http://connectland.com.hk/

FYI to all, I used 2 kinds of batteries to try this gadget out. For my first try, I used 4 freshly charged rechargeable Sanyo eneloop batteries. Nada! Then, I tried using it with a newly purchased set of 4, Energizer batteries. (The expensive kind) and yet, it didn't work.

I also tried using 3 different iPhone cables to charge it:
1. Original iPhone charging cable
2. Belkin retractable USB iPhone cable
3. 3rd party iPhone usb cable

So, using all those above methods (mixed combinations) and given the following circumstances, it still didn't work.

Final verdict?
This would be now added to my list of not working iPhone portable battery charger! Yes, the connectland usb battery box do not work on iPhones!

Again, as with my previous products, this is a two-birds-in-one-stone review. I have the right to return the product so, I also am writing about my experiences relating to non-working products.

Before I purchased it in Octagon, I already asked about the return policy. 7-days, they said. Well, today is just the 3rd day and I returned the product. Everything went well until they delayed me for around 45 minutes.



First, they were finding the manager to sign the form. Then, they searched for AA batteries they could use so they could test the product if it actually wasn't working. I already told them that it wasn't working and I wouldn't return it if it actually would work. I know that this is SOP but, please be considerate of your customers time and move double-time as if you are making a sale.

First of all, you should be responsible for the products you carry, therefore, your customers do not deserve the punishment of waiting for you to check on the products you sell that do not actually work.

Of all so far, Infomax has the best after-sales customer service yet. Again, they are a bit more pricey but with that kind of customer service, there is no doubt customers would keep coming back to them.

*by the way, I exchanged my non-working Connectland USB iPhone portable charger to an iMobile wireless mouse (IM-M58). I added 400 pesos. Wait for the review :)

iPhone Portable Charger - Using AA Batteries

This is my 2nd month searching for the ultimate iPhone portable power supply (in case I would be roughing it out in the woods soon where there are no electricity).

Well, Just last week, I purchased a portable iPhone charger from Infomax in Megamall. The packaging and unit is exactly what I will show below:


I bought it for 700 Pesos (Roughly around $15.25 USD). Before purchasing it, I tested it. It worked well as my iPhone unit indicated that it was charging.




I took it home and tried if one set of 2 AA batteries can fully charge my iPhone 3g. I started charging it at around 25% remaining battery life. Surprisingly, after charging it for 1 hour+, the battery level indicated that there was only 6.25% left!

So, instead of charing my iPhone 3g, it was draining it!

I returned the unit 2 days after and thank God that infomax refunded me cash without any questions asked. I've been a loyal infomax customer although I know that they are a bit more expensive versus other gadget shops in the Philippines.

Just yesterday, January 17, 2010, I went to Digital Hub Robinsons Galleria branch and I saw another neat iPhone portable charger! This time, it was just priced at 495.00 pesos! (roughly $10.80 USD). They clearly explained that by using 2 AA batteries, It can charge my iPhone anywhere I go.

It looked like this:


The brand was "Clik".

Compared to the charger I bought from Infomax, Clik doesn't have a cable attached where you can directly charge your iPhone/ Apple gadgets.


The advantage of Clik is, you can charge your gadgets that can be charged via USB anywhere! UNTIL, I tested it...



It Might be too good to be true. I experienced the same thing. I started charging my iPhone 3g at around 50% then, 1 hour after, the battery went down to around 30%.

It's not charging too!!!

Well, I immediately returned it within less than 2hours of my purchase. Guess what? I had to argue my way just for Digital Hub to refund my item.

See the difference with Digital Hub and Infomax? After 30 minutes of asking them for a refund because their item wasn't doing what it was supposed to do, they did refund me. I just lost 30 minutes of my lifetime asking for a refund. This is why I like infomax more even if it's a bit more expensive.

After buying 3 iPhone portable power chargers, it looks like I still haven't found a working one. I guess I really have to stick with the AC charging method? Darn it! Why is iPhone battery life so short? :s

I'm hoping that I can find the perfect portable charger for my iPhone.

I'm going to purchase next a solar charger I found somewhere and make a review of it also. It was priced at only 400.00 pesos. Worth a try, I think.