Echo Power Connect - Small in size, huge on power

Written by Young Jeohn

As demand for power increases with the number of cellphones, tablets and other personal devices on the rise, it's inevitable that you're going to need to charge up as you go about your day. Unfortunately, while you won't find an outlet on the subway, most restaurants, or the local park as you feed the pigeons, it's within most people's ability to purchase a portable power bank for times of emergency.

Echo, the UK company bringing out the first dual port Connect Key for lightning and micro USB, also have on offer the 4000 mAh PowerConnect and the smaller 1600 mAh PowerConnect Mini. The PowerConnect is physically so small that most people would shake their heads in disbelief as I tell them it's nearly as miniscule as a credit card. A credit card? Really? Barring thickness (which is only half an inch), it's indeed credit card sized and easily fits into your back jeans pocket. And don't get me started on the Mini; cut the card in half and you have the length and width of it exactly (with thickness being less than half an inch.)

Designed to charge both Android and iPhone products without needing a mess of cables, Echo elegantly designed the PowerConnect with a built in, dual charge lightning/micro USB cable that neatly stows away into a nook when not in use. It's extremely convenient, with an easy-to-read four light indicator showing how much power the battery has left. This thing has enough oomph to also charge your tablet with its 2.1 amp output (most cellphone wall chargers output 1 amp) and has a built-in button that you press to start the charge.

What isn't integrated is the cable you use to charge up the power bank itself; a USB to micro USB cable. And I can't even call this a cable, because it looks and feels somewhat like Echo's other product, the Connect Key. It's made of the same TPU material, making it small, flexible and strong. If you want to follow my example, I basically tied it to the PowerConnect using a small ball chain.

The PowerConnect Mini (at half the size) is a 1 amp charger that's perfect for cellphones. It holds 1600 mAh of power and comes with your choice of micro USB OR lightning connector. Funny enough, because it's only got one built-in connector, I'm able to slip the battery charging tip through it and remove the need for a chain or string. Like its bigger brother, the cable can be stowed into a built in nook when not in use, and energy levels can be read via a three light indicator.

Both products are officially licensed via Apple's MFi certification program and charging works like a charm. I personally favor the larger capacity PowerConnect  because you never know when you might need that extra bit of power, but if you don't carry around a lot of tech gadgets, then the smaller charger is a fine choice and will take up less space in your bag.

You can pick up the 4000 mAh PowerConnect with dual connector for 29 British pounds (about US$45) or the 1600 mAh PowerConnect Mini for 20 British pounds (about US$30) on their website. Available in black or white, they all come with a one year warranty.

More information:
http://byecho.com