A Geek Goes Flying

The Zendure X5 was a pretty unique package, and I’ll miss it (it died and they were not able to replace it under warranty 😢). The best compromise I found to replace it was the Anker Power Bank, 20,000mAh Portable Charger with Built-in USB-C Cable, 87W Max Fast Charging Battery Pack (A1383) for about $60. It’s a little bigger and heavier, but Anker packs tend to have good efficiency ( comparison ), and the power profiles available mean I should definitely be able to properly fast-charge a tablet with enough juice to spare for a top-off of an iPhone, etc. Anker 20,000mAh PowerBank (The new pack is 6.2x2.9x1" (vs. 4.5” x 2.8” x 1”) (so, ~43% larger on the Cocoon ), and 15.5 oz/ 440 grams (vs. 10.41 oz / 295 g) (so, ~49% heavier). Not super small or light weight, but to get no-compromises high speed charging for both the battery pack itself and a connected tablet, plus > 60 Wh of usable capacity, that’s what’s out there. Everything else has a severely charging capability ...

I bounce between bags / a briefcase (e.g., Timbuk2 Control messenger bag or Spirit or Track II backpacks; various tomtoc bags; a black leather Kenneth Cole backpack I got as a gift a few years back). I found myself buying, or poised to buy, duplicate cables and other accessories, and then realized how silly that was. But constantly unloading/loading all the miscellany was a pain in the ass. Enter Cocoon organizers. Small Cocoon with tablet accessories I have a Cocoon CPG4BK GRID-IT!® Accessory Organizer - xSmall 7" x 5" (Black) for my tablets (an old iPad Pro 9.7 in a ZAGG Rugged Book Pro keyboard case with an Apple Pencil 1 , and an iPad 9th Generation in a protective case also with an Apple Pencil 1), that fits perfectly in the front pocket of my tomtoc 11 inch Tablet Sleeve Bag . It’s carrying: An Anker 20,000 mAh battery pack Zendure X5 ( waiting on a warranty replacement ) 15,000 mAh power bank with 45W output power Insignia Lightning Wired Earbud Headphones (...

Tech Pouch, loaded The quest for a perfect day trip setup continues. Enter the Peak Design Tech Pouch V2 . A bit pricier, and a different form factor (not a clamshell), than the ProCase Hard Travel Electronic Organizer Case I’ve been using for about 9 months , for trips to the Disneyland Resort (and Knott’s Berry Farm, and Mammoth, and ...).  The ProCase was mostly fine. The zipper for the small mesh pocket broke early on, but other than that, it’s done the job. But now that I’m going to be bringing larger, 60+ watt output battery packs on many outings , that rigid pack just didn’t quite cut it. My only question is the form factor. I’ll be going through the Mouse’s security perimeter several times in the next few days, will see how it fares there. (Security loved the ProCase clamshell; I just opened it up, flipped the internal divider over, and they waved me through.) ProCase and Tech Pouch V2 next to each other The Tech Pouch has almost exactly the same exterior dimensions...

Spirit Backpack crammed full I’ve always liked Timbuk2 bags. I explored others for my current needs (the Hershel Nova Small came close), but nothing quite checked all the boxes, until I found the Spirit Laptop Backpack : Padded compartment for a 13" laptop (fits a MacBook Air 2020 and a 2021 MacBook Pro 14" perfectly, although not really padded). External bottle pockets that will accommodate a Contigo Stainless Steel Autoseal West Loop Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug and a 24 oz. Contigo Autoseal Chill Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle . Update: Bending over, the Contigo (diameter 2.75") slipped out, shredding the spigot. I’m going to try the wider (3.6") 32 oz. Hydro Flask . At least one smaller front pocket for an organizer (this one has one larger pocket with a key strap, and another that will hold a wallet or something equally slim). Space for an organizer (“ accessory pack ”) crammed with essentials: Apple MagSafe Battery Pack (game changer!) Logite...