Nomad's upgraded Battery Cable simplifies on-the-go iPhone charging
Nomad's popular Battery Cable, which integrates a battery pack into a Lightning-enabled charging cable, has received a significant upgrade, with the second-generation version enhanced by a more robust exterior, higher capacity battery and other changes.
Keeping iPhone charged on the go can seem like an insurmountable task. Power users are likely familiar with the assortment of power adapters, batteries and cables that need to be toted along as everyday carry, and each accessory seems to have its own set of problems.
Enter the Nomad Battery Cable. The combination cable and battery pack not only cuts down on excess luggage, but simplifies the charging process. It's a must-have when we head out of the office.
In addition to the battery, Nomad includes a number of other, equally smart design decisions. Super-strong nylon envelops the cable's length, preventing tangling and protecting the reinforced interior. Nomad says they flex tested this cable up to 10,000 times before it failed.
Battery Cable comes in at a lengthy 1.5 meters, but a handy silicone cable tie keeps it organized.
Version two of this capable cable is even more useful with four changes -- two big and two small.
Battery capacity has increased from 2,350 mAh to 2,800 mAh, which is enough to fully charge an iPhone X. That is roughly a 20 percent increase in battery size, without increasing the physical dimensions of the battery enclosure.
That enclosure is now inside an aluminum tube instead of the plastic body that covered the first version. Aluminum not only looks and feels better, but it should offer increased durability as well.
A few other small changes include a slightly thinner cable with a darker nylon color. The custom cable tie has been relocated from the short half near the USB-A end to the longer side that has the Lightning connector. This should make it a bit easier to wrap up the cable when only a portion is needed.
Nomad has a pile of other Lightning cables as well including powerful 100W USB-C cables, universal cables, and rugged weatherproof models.
Keeping iPhone charged on the go can seem like an insurmountable task. Power users are likely familiar with the assortment of power adapters, batteries and cables that need to be toted along as everyday carry, and each accessory seems to have its own set of problems.
Enter the Nomad Battery Cable. The combination cable and battery pack not only cuts down on excess luggage, but simplifies the charging process. It's a must-have when we head out of the office.
Power on-the-go
Using the Nomad is dead-simple. Just plug it in and use it as a typical Lightning charging cable. With an iPhone is attached and the cable is plugged in to a USB outlet, the phone will charge first, then the in-line battery. When you head out, unplug the cable from the wall and the built-in battery will be charged up, ready to go. No more worrying about whether your portable battery pack has juice.In addition to the battery, Nomad includes a number of other, equally smart design decisions. Super-strong nylon envelops the cable's length, preventing tangling and protecting the reinforced interior. Nomad says they flex tested this cable up to 10,000 times before it failed.
Battery Cable comes in at a lengthy 1.5 meters, but a handy silicone cable tie keeps it organized.
What's new in V2?
Version two of this capable cable is even more useful with four changes -- two big and two small.
Battery capacity has increased from 2,350 mAh to 2,800 mAh, which is enough to fully charge an iPhone X. That is roughly a 20 percent increase in battery size, without increasing the physical dimensions of the battery enclosure.
That enclosure is now inside an aluminum tube instead of the plastic body that covered the first version. Aluminum not only looks and feels better, but it should offer increased durability as well.
A few other small changes include a slightly thinner cable with a darker nylon color. The custom cable tie has been relocated from the short half near the USB-A end to the longer side that has the Lightning connector. This should make it a bit easier to wrap up the cable when only a portion is needed.
Conclusion
Having an always-charged battery built into a super-strong Lightning cable can be an indispensable tool for iPhone owners constantly seeking an outlet to top off their device. Nomad's solution is compact in size, lightweight and has come in handy more times than we can count. It is able to provide adequate backup power before we know we need it, and now it can handle our iPhone X.Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Where to buy
The upgraded V2 Battery Cable is available to order now from Nomad's website for $49.95, the same price as the original.Nomad has a pile of other Lightning cables as well including powerful 100W USB-C cables, universal cables, and rugged weatherproof models.
Comments
(*by "macbook", I mean the modern ecosystem including Macbooks, Macbook chargers and high-speed iOS chargers)
USB-C or GTFO
Mind you, I would take issue with USD$49.95 for a 2,800 mAh battery, regardless of its other features. That is waaaay above the price of competitor products. So automatic downgrade of at least two stars right there.
edit: actually i would take another two stars off as 2,800 mAh just isn’t worth it at half the price. There are any number of just as compact chargers at half the price but around 5,000 mAh, which takes care of any battery power transfer inefficiencies. An xtra cable isn’t that inconvenient. So one star ⭐️ sight unseen, and happy for it to stay that way.
In the end, this product does not make sense to me. Instead of carrying a single cable I can plug into my Mac to charge my phone, I now would carry a big, bulky cable with an ugly tumor and additional equipment to charge it. Instead, I bought a high-powered battery pack that I can use with my Mac (thanks USB-C) and charge with my Mac power cord (thanks USB-C) and charge my phone and I’ve added.... just the battery pack that I take when I need it.
How is this 5 out of 5 stars?
Just to chime in here real quick, I'm Chuck and I do the marketing over at Nomad.
I agree, doing a USB-C > Lightning style cable for most if not all our cables would be fantastic. Unfortunately, the current MFi ecosystem prevents 3rd parties from doing so. As soon as that restriction is opened up, you can bet we'll be ready with some new gear.
A unsanctioned not made for iPhone USB-C cable plugged into an AC adapter. What could possibly go wrong.
Not that every third party USB-C poses a threat to devices, of course. But were this cable something I'd use, that $10 is better spent on an adapter for the Type A end and not sweat it. As the owner of a 2015 MacBook, I've done that more than once.
The Nomad seems to be a unique product. A bigger power brick and separate cable are certainly a more versatile option, if bulkier than the somewhat bulky Nomad.
It's a niche product, to be sure. That's the problem with niche products - there's always somebody who doesn't work within that niche and wants it to work for them.
I keep a small cylindrical battery pack handy to give my failing iPhone battery a little sip. With that is the USB-A to Lightning connector. And the USB-A to micro-USB cable for charging. If needed I suppose the three pieces could be put in a jacket pocket, something not quite as easily accomplished with the Nomad. But for a bag, pack, or car, I see an advantage with a one-piece solution. IF/when Apple allows a USB-C MFiPhone version, that would be even better.
Rating a product for what it is seems just as valid as rating it for what it isn't, if not more so. Shop accordingly.
Anker 5000 mAh PowerCore5000 $18 - charges at 5V 2A.
Charging while using doesn't do great things for overall battery longevity.
I use the PowerCore Slim 10000 since it's the same footprint as my iPhone 7. Been an Anker fan since the time the replaced a defective battery quickly with no hassles.
I have a larger 26800 ravpower with usb-c I use on travel.
Also, what you had above is their older model. They are probably just clearing it out. Their current PowerLine+ II is $18 for a single 6 ft cable, if you choose red. Know what it runs for the 6ft black Lightning cable? Just about $30... https://amzn.to/2t1cz2I
That puts it in nearly the same price range as Nomad.
2) Anker CS > Belkin CS. Haven't dealt with the others.
3) Premium Quality?
- 10' Anker Powerline+ II $20 has 6% one star rating. http://a.co/0uPSCwA (yes, black one too)
- The 6' Anker Powerline+ II has only 4% one star rating.
Who has better level of quality and customer satisfaction?- The Nomad and Native Union is tested to 10,000 flexions/bends. The Anker to 30,000 bends.
- The Nomad has a 2 year warranty. The Anker has a lifetime warranty. Native Union also has a lifetime warranty.
- The Nomad does have thicker wires than Anker: 20 AWG vs 24 AWG. Native Union doesn't say.
- Interesting that Nomad says they have a polyamide central core...while Kevlar is a polyamide so is Nylon. Aramid is the usual generic naming if you can't say Kevlar. Native Union specifies that their core is Kevlar. Not sure that I really care though as the Anker supports 175lb. I guess if I'm hanging off a building by my lighting cable I'll be sad that I'm using Anker and not Native Union.
Are you getting a premium product from Native Union and Nomad or just a premium price? Because based on customer satisfaction, warranty and materials the Anker looks more premium for half the price.That said after reading some of the comments on this thread about the nomad’s build quality I am a more charitable towards the it and it’s pricing.