Medis Fuel Cell Device Charger Review
Widgets & RSS FeedsThe Medis 24/7 XTREME Portable Charger (also known as the starter kit) is fuel cell-based portable power source designed for small consumer electronics such as cell phones, MP3 players and GPS units.
The fuel cell is relatively compact, it’s approximately the same width, slightly deeper and 2/3rds the length of the portable 2.5 inch hard disk I carry with me when I travel. The associated power pack cable plugs into the top of the charger, which adds approximately three inches in length. The total weight is just over a half a pound. This all leads up to something that is a too bulky to keep in your lap or next to you in the seat, but the cord is three feet long so you should be able to keep it by your feet without a problem.
Activating the fuel cell is simple. You remove a plastic strip, squeeze the charger together and you are done. According to Medis’ specifications (PDF), the charger will deliver 20-Watt hours, which equates to 30 hours of talk time or 60-80 hours of iPod use. Medis says the device outputs 3.8 to 5.4 volts, 4-Watt max and 1-Amp max. This means fuel cell should be good for between 3-6 charges on your smartphone, depending on how much charge is left on your battery. I did not test the unit with metering equipment, but I would say you should not plan that you will get more than three full charges from the fuel cell. The charging process is not instantaneous; it can take a minute or so before your device begins to receive a charge after activating the fuel cell. Also depending on the charge left on phone, you may need to let the internal battery charge for a bit before you are able to talk.
The charging cable that ships with the starter pack has a tip that works with standard Nokia phones. The starter kit includes four additional tips for USB, Mini USB, Micro USB and Palm Treo. Newer Nokia smart phones use a different tip. Tips for newer Nokia’s (E and N series) and others phones are available separately. Medis also sells a tip for iPhone/iPod, but the standard sync charger cable that came with my iPhone worked with the USB tip.
The fuel cell mid sized—it is small enough to throw in your travel bad, but too big to carry around in your pocket. Medis says fuel cell is should last for a year and half in the box and for three months after you activate it. These numbers are likely at the high end of the spectrum. Unless you have multiple trips in a relatively short time span, be careful about assuming the unit will still have a charge for subsequent trips. The starter kit box includes pre-addressed, but not prepaid, packaging to return the spent fuel cell back to the manufacturer for recycling. The fuel cell is CE and UL listed, RoHS compliant.
The Medis fuel cell is a potential solution for people who need to periodically recharge small electronics on an extended trip, but don’t have reliable access to power. Several online retailers carry the Medis fuel cell and refills. The starter kit retails for $50 and is available for around $38 street price and the replacement fuel cell retails for $30 and for around $24 street price. This means the Medis fuel cell is currently too expensive for regular use—an rechargeable extended alkaline battery pack would be more cost effective. The price of the fuel cell will likely drop over time and Medis says it is working on a refillable model, which should be more cost effective.
