Gear Powertraveller Powermonkey “Expedition” 5-way charger may be a game changer David Reeder February 1, 2014 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. This is the Powermonkey Expedition Charger, which may set a whole new standard for “off-grid charging devices”. With the Expedition, you can use solar, wind, water, hand-crank or AC to juice it back up, all in one package or in separately in its modular pieces. It's lightweight, compact, multi-function and waterproof (all very significant qualities), with a 10,500mAh lithium polymer battery inside the body. I've been promised an exact spec sheet as soon as one is available. Note: they had me at Ranulph Fiennes (watch the video). I must admit to looking at him as an old school bad ass. Even through that filter though, the word from Outdoor Tactical Enterprises about this latest charger from Powertraveller is damned impressive. The hand crank has a gear ratio of 32:1 and 5 volts to 2 amps; it's very simple to utilize (press the hand crank on and wind it up) and easily stored. For wind power, you simply affix the mouse-ear looking wind arms to the cap and attach it to the body and set it up with the assembled foundation. If conditions require it (high wind, etc.) you can further secure it with bungees, 550 cord, etc. The wind unit will spin up to approximately 3,500 rpm, powering up at 12 knots to begin charging (that's approximately 14mph, about the strength needed to extend a light flag). Note that it can charge in multiple capacities to reduce charging time. In other words, you can have it recharging from solar power and wind power simultaneously (assuming there is a wind and you're not sitting in the dark of course). You can further daisy chain it utilizing both a 5v and 12v adapter to charge more than one object at a time, i.e. the Expedition can be generating power via sun and wind while concurrently recharging both your sat phone and iPad (or whatever the case may be). Powertraveller anticipates additional features like a butane turbine in the future. The Powertraveller Powermonkey Expedition was recently a gold medal winner at the ISPO Munich trade show, which had over 2,500 exhibitors displaying their products. You can learn more about the Powermonkey Expedition Charger here; contact Outdoor Tactical Enterprises for anticipated shipping date, MSRP and further specifics. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
