Energy needs
Contributors to this thread:Mule Deer
From: Iowabowhunter
15-May-23
I’m going to be backpacking in for 8 or so days with a buddy, need a way to charge our phones and my camera (Sony RX100).
What’s your go to?
Solar pad deal, rechargeable battery pack?
Complete noob regarding this type of stuff
From: Pop-r
15-May-23
Solar panel, several battery packs. I have one manual crank one as well that works very well.
From: pav
15-May-23
Cell phone is my camera these days. Leave the cell on airplane mode most of the time. Carry an Anker portable charger ( 4 charges) and it easily keeps the phone charged for a week minimum.
From: PushCoArcher
15-May-23
I use my phone as a camera,and gps and have found anker battery packs to be the best. Can't comment on ot charging cameras. I use solar panels at base camp but don't have a backpacking model. Interested in grabbing one as well will be watching for recommendations.
From: JohnMC
15-May-23
I can't imagine a little point and shoot camera going through much battery. Bring an extra battery for camera if you think you might drain ine and a couple Anker type battery bank and you should be good to go.
From: nmwapiti
15-May-23
I have one battery pack and a solar panel. The pack will last a week on light usage, just GPS, or a long weekend if I have any signal and use the phone a bit. The solar panel is great on 2 week hunts. It has limitations, such as cloudy days are worthless, but I've always been able to stay fully charged.
From: Bake
15-May-23
If you keep your phone on airplane mode and don’t use Onx or other apps very much a couple battery packs will easily last a week. I can squeeze a week easy, and I like to read my kindle app on my phone at downtimes
From: cnelk
15-May-23
Unless you need the phone for OnX/Gaia, leave it in the truck. Take a digital camera. You’ll do a lot less effing around with it than a phone.
Plus, you’re going with a buddy. Do you really need 2 phones?
From: JohnMC
15-May-23
Brad I'd go naked before leaving my phone. Gives me anxiety just thinking about it. ;)
From: Iowabowhunter
16-May-23
We’ll use the phones for OnX for sure.
I’m going to order a topo map as well, need to get better versed on reading it effectively but I think it would be neat to have.
Which solar panel have you all liked?
From: Lost Arra
16-May-23
Remember that Brad's honey holes are 200 yards from the truck :-) Or maybe now 200 yards from his Wyo cabin.
From: Pop-r
16-May-23
I think mine is a Nomad.
From: cnelk
16-May-23
^^^ Haha! While that may be true, when I go to Alaska moose hunting its a completely different story.
From: Iowabowhunter
31-Jul-23
Up for the afternoon. Getting down to crunch time where I need to order the battery pack & solar panel this week
From: Beendare
31-Jul-23
I can easily get 7-8 days from my phone taking pics and checking GPS with a 10k Anker battery. I sometimes bring 2 JIC.
Now if you keep your phone on....and not in Airplane mode...or run GPS tracks for long hikes- no way it goes that long
From: Tilzbow
31-Jul-23
I have a Sony RX100 that I once took on a 14 day Stone Sheep hunt. Even though I took an extra battery and hundreds of pictures I never used the extra battery.
As others have said, leave your phone on airplane mode, take one Anker battery and you should be covered.
If both die, it’ll be as if you’re hunting 30 years ago!
From: Grey Ghost
31-Jul-23
I’ve learned that “airplane mode” isn’t necessary to conserve battery. The 3 things that burn the most battery are WI-FI, Bluetooth, and Hotspot, because they constantly search for a signal/ connection. Turn those 3 off individually and your battery will last as long as it will in airplane mode, but you will still be able to make calls, or texts, if you have service.
Matt
From: Iowabowhunter
31-Jul-23
Thanks gents, I’ll grab an Anker & not worry about the solar charger!
Tilz-thanks for the heads up about the camera I appreciate it!
