Portable charging solutions

Howdy all, I'm planning on doing quite a lot of backpacking this year. I want to hit the Sheltowee trace 307 miles through central Kentucky, and as much else that's somewhat close by as possible.

Anyways heres my question: Can anyone recommend a good way to charge your gear on the trail . I'll be taking my M with me and have 2 batteries, but batterlife on that little guy isn't the greatest. I'll be taking a 12,000 mAH portable charger for my phone, which I would like to keep alive just in case of emergency. Haven't found a good solution for the camera yet though.

The smaller and lighter the setup can be kept the better since I do have to carry it all around all day.

Same question here so interested in responses...

In the end, when we have this discussions, the answer invariably comes to "just buy a few extra aftermarket batteries, charge them, and take them". 2 or 3 batteries are very small, won't take up much room or weight, and would invariably be cheaper and lighter than any other solution.

a handful of batteries probably won't cost more than a portable charger, probably won't weigh you down more, and will be a lot easier to manage (fresh in 1 bag, dead in another)
figure out how long you're hiking, and how many batteries per day you think you need, and go from there!

I'm with the buy batteries crown as well. Buying say 4 batteries is cheaper than getting a solar powered charger and as mentioned, they are so small and light.
http://www.amazon.com …ess-Digital/dp/B009W3WHDO

The only alternative to just carrying more batteries that I can think of is to buy one of the battery chargers you can buy that run off 12v and carry a big heavy 12v battery. Realistically, carrying more camera batteries is most likely going to be lighter and smaller.

Alright thanks guys, Just interested to see what is out there. I don't have any experience with third party batteries. I usually just buy Canon, but their something like $45 a pop.

The ones posted get very mixed reviews, apparently some people find they don't work with the canon charger and don't have anywhere near the capacity. Anyone have any first hand experience with batteries for the M I don't mind buying some extra Canon's but if I can get away with cheaper that would be nice.

Edit: I will start researching a little harder when I get home but if anyone has advice I'd appreciate it.

Wasabi?

http://www.bluenook.co​m …ack-Charger/dp/B009SS0FZK

Goal zero has some small solar panels for charging. but overall you end up needing a USB battery charger. I am not certain what is available for USB charging of camera batteries. They have a kit that comes with a panel and a usb AA or AAA battery power, so if you have a grip with the AA tray, you could essentially take 2 or 3 sets of AAs and then charge to that pack. It will also charge out to USB at 5v from either the AAs or the solar panel so you couldalso charge your phone/radios, etc. basicaly anothing USB and 5v down. There is also a female 12v cig lighter attachment if you want have anything to plug into that. Its about $130. obviously bulkier than a few extra batteries, but could be cheaper depending on how long you will be gone.

http://www.goalzero.co​m/p/79/guide-10-plus-solar-kit

At a cost of 4-5 times and a bulk many times more than a few extra batteries, that wouldn't seem to be very cost or weight effective, don't you think?

^ I don't think theres a AA grip available for the M and I don't think it would make much sense if there was one but that thing is really cool lol.

ahhh, I skipped the part about the M. Yeah, aftermarket batteries are cheap, but a grip of em. lol. I have 4 and even those dont last long since the screen is on all day.

I received that pack as a christmas gift along with a 2nd panel and a lantern. Works well to charge the cell phone and other stuff. I even took the solar panel, to the female 12v to a 12v 85w convertor and charged my T2i batteries. it was bulky but worked.

Ok, checking further, this might work with the M batteries and the solar panel

http://www.goalzero.co​m …ersal-charger-for-cameras

as a matter of fact, it seems there are only a small # of batteries that it wont charge. Might have to order one.

http://www.goalzero.co​m …cape-150-power-pack/22:2/

Looks like this would do what I want but its also 13 lbs and more than I was hoping to spend lol.

http://www.goalzero.co​m …herpa-50-power-pack/22:2/

This would also apparently do the trick with an inverter that they sell for it and still be good for 5 charges. It's still more than I am looking to spend though.

Looks like spare batteries it will be.

peeaanuut wrote in post #16582892
Goal zero has some small solar panels for charging. but overall you end up needing a USB battery charger. I am not certain what is available for USB charging of camera batteries. They have a kit that comes with a panel and a usb AA or AAA battery power, so if you have a grip with the AA tray, you could essentially take 2 or 3 sets of AAs and then charge to that pack. It will also charge out to USB at 5v from either the AAs or the solar panel so you couldalso charge your phone/radios, etc. basicaly anothing USB and 5v down. There is also a female 12v cig lighter attachment if you want have anything to plug into that. Its about $130. obviously bulkier than a few extra batteries, but could be cheaper depending on how long you will be gone.

http://www.goalzero.co​m/p/79/guide-10-plus-solar-kit

The problem with this is that you need to keep it hooked up for 4 to 8 hours to charge the battery. Can't do much hiking. Plus the cost. When it comes down to it, a bunch of batteries is a very cheap and light solution.