Anker PowerCore+ 26800

After spending hours comparing different brands, capacities and features, I ended up settling on the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 and here’s why.

1. I bought this specifically to take on my week long trip backpacking off grid. I am planning to film a lot and knew I needed high capacity. This power bank is up there near the top of the list before you start getting into either excessively large power stations or batteries that are not safe for airplanes. While I’m not flying on this trip, I wanted to make sure it could be taken on future trips as well.

2. In addition, it needed to be compatible with all of my stuff. Last year I really tried to make sure nearly everything I own can use USB-C plugs so my battery bank needed to have one as well. The fewer cables that I have to carry, the better. Plus, USB-C has a multitude of other functions depending on the device. My phone can even charge other devices in a pinch.

3. It also needed to be able to charge both itself and other devices quickly. I’m planning to carry 5-10 things on this trip that need charging and I can’t have one of them take several hours to charge. I need to be able to charge one quickly and move on to the next device so I’m not spending all my time focusing on batteries. This also means that it needs to be able to charge from more than one port at the same time so I can double or triple up on the devices. After a long day of hiking, I don’t want to have to stay extra time charging just so that I am ready to go in the morning.

4. Lastly, it had to be from a brand I trust.

5. A nice to have feature that I looked at was ruggedness. Is it water or drop resistant?

Eventually the list came down to just 2 devices, both from Anker

• The Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD

• The Anker PowerCore 26800

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Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD

Both offer 26,800 mAh which is capable of charging my largest battery, my Pixel 3 XL (3430 mAh), almost 8 times. My other batteries are all around the 1,200 mAh capacity so they met criteria 1.

They are both by Anker, a trusted brand and a leader in power banks so they checked off criteria 4.

They both can charge from 3 ports at once and they both offer high speed charging of devices, as well as options to charge themselves quickly, meeting criteria 3.

Criteria 2 is where one stood out from the other significantly. The PowerCore+ has 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C which is capable of Power Delivery (a high power capacity standard) where as the PowerCore has 3 USB-A ports and 2 USB-Micro ports that are only good for charging itself.

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Anker Powercore 26800

By going with the PowerCore+ I can reuse the USB-C cable for charging the power bank and for charging devices. With the PowerCore, I’d need to carry around 2 USB-Micro cables that are incompatible with most of my stuff so it’s extra baggage and one more thing to keep track of. Also, the PowerCore+, with its Power Delivery (PD), can charge itself in 4.5 hours using 1 PD capable charger (included) where as I’d need either 2 chargers or use 2 ports on a charger to charge the PowerCore in 6 hours.

Also, because the PowerCore+ can put out PD level power, it can charge high capacity devices, like laptops. It also offers higher speed charging of normal devices like phones compared to the speeds of the PowerCore.

I was also encouraged to see that FujiFilm, maker of my X-T3 camera, officially recommends the PowerCore+ for use with its cameras.

Unfortunately, neither had any water or drop resistance, but a good waterproof bag will serve the same purpose. It also has a pretty squishy carrying sack that should help protect it a bit.

Yes, I did end up paying twice as much for the extra features, but when you’re relying on a piece of equipment in the field, you have to pay for what you need.

I’ll be giving a post camping trip gear review and I’ll make sure to talk about if this power bank lived up to my expectations.

If you’re planning to buy one, I’d appreciate if you use my links below to help support my channel. It doesn’t cost any extra. I just get a little advertising revenue from Amazon.

• Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD: https://amzn.to/2XMlaUe

• Anker PowerCore 26800: https://amzn.to/2l6F3HU

Filming Gear - Jan. 2019

I like cameras, there’s no denying that. I spend a lot of time looking for the perfect one to meet my needs. I also like a lot camera angles when I’m filming, trying to give you at home a good or interesting view on what I’m doing. This means that I’ve accumulated a lot of cameras, both to improve the quality of my videos and to satiate my love of technology.

In 2019, I’ve found what I consider to be an optimal selection of camera and microphone gear. It meets all of my current needs. From Point and Shoots and DSLRs to Action Cams, 360 cameras and Pocket Stabilization, join me as I wander around the Nebraska State Capitol showing you what gear I use to film my YouTube Videos.

• LowePro Slingshot 202 - https://amzn.to/2FyaDqT

• Canon EOS 70D - https://amzn.to/2Mh4AaP

• Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens - https://amzn.to/2TTEMEn

• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens - https://amzn.to/2SYerVx

• Nikon COOLPIX A900 - https://amzn.to/2FHOJ46

• Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70 - https://amzn.to/2MhnKNL

• Canon SX740 HS - https://amzn.to/2DhAWQ5

• GoPro Fusion - https://amzn.to/2DfiJ5n

• Insta360 One X - https://amzn.to/2Fyj0D6

• GoPro Hero 7 Black - https://amzn.to/2DhHWMV

• DJI Osmo Pocket - https://amzn.to/2MhmMBp

• Google Pixel 3 XL - https://amzn.to/2T0vC91

• Sony FDR-AX53 - https://amzn.to/2FzlSj4

• Rode VideoMicro - https://amzn.to/2FzlsJw

• Zoom H5 - https://amzn.to/2TWkHNA

• Zoom F1 - https://amzn.to/2DgV0C3

• DJI Mavic Air - https://amzn.to/2Csp7Vo

Pixel 3 Super Res Zoom Test

For the last 3 years, I’ve had a Google Pixel phone. I started with the first Pixel XL in 2016 after having to return my beloved Note 7 due to the batteries exploding. I haven’t gone back. I got the Pixel 2 XL in 2017 and just recently upgraded to the Pixel 3 XL.

There are several things I love about the Pixels, the fast Android updates and build quality are up there, but what keeps me coming back is the camera and unlimited full quality photo and video uploads to Google Photos.

The camera is amazing despite there only being 1 when everyone else is packing on 2 or 3 now. This year’s model comes with some software improvements that supposedly can’t be ported back to the older Pixels. I’m not sure why. Perhaps it is a speed thing or something new the photo coprocessor.

The main new features are:

1. Super Res Zoom

2. Night Sight

3. Top Shot

4. Groupie camera

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Pixel 3 XL

The Night Sight isn’t out yet. Google will be releasing an update to enable it. It promises to let you take photos in the dark with much less digital noise producing images that don’t need a flash. Top Shot lets you pick a different photo in case you missed the action or someone blinked. Groupie Camera is a 2nd front facing camera with an ultra wide lens to fit more of your background or other people in your selfie shots.

The one we’re looking at today is the Super Res Zoom. Google uses the natural shake of your hand to take multiple pictures and stitch them together to give a sharper digital zoom. The questions is, is it any good? See the video below to find out.