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Review of Anker Astro Slim2 4500 mAh External battery w/pics!!!

Looks very nice that!

And works great with that stand

For me the convenience of using it with that clip-stand mod is a huge bonus because my biggest battery drain is when I watch movies/tv on my phone. But of course, its being slim is the best feature :)

I'm actually so impressed with this product that planning to get Astro 3E (10000 mAh external battery from Anker). Will review it as well once I get it.
 
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I almost got one, but then I realized that I would not be able to use the built in micro USB cable because my metal frame charger port opening is very narrow and very deep. There is no way the wide plastic head of the built in cable would fit thru. I cannot easily open the frame either as it is fit together with screws. Anyway, I nose around a bit on Amazon and found this one:

Amazon.com: [New Release] EasyAccTM PowerBank iChoc M5 5000mAh 2.5A Dual Port Fast Charging Ultra-Slim Portable External Battery Charger Pack built-in Micro-USB Cable and LED Flashlight for iPhone 5S 5C 4S (Apple adapters not included), Andorid Smart

It is very well made. When I bought it, it was $15.99, but now they raised the price to $18.49. It is still a really good deal. I charged my Note II from about 52% to 95% in about 1 hour and then takes another 1/2 hour to get to 100% as the the charging rate slow down more and more as it gets closer to 100%. The spec sheet said it is only suppose to have a 1A output on the built in cable and a 2A at the USB port, but Battery Monitor said I am charging at around 1500mA with the Note II.
 
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I almost got one, but then I realized that I would not be able to use the built in micro USB cable because my metal frame charger port opening is very narrow and very deep. There is no way the wide plastic head of the built in cable would fit thru. I cannot easily open the frame either as it is fit together with screws. Anyway, I nose around a bit on Amazon and found this one:

Amazon.com: [New Release] EasyAccTM PowerBank iChoc M5 5000mAh 2.5A Dual Port Fast Charging Ultra-Slim Portable External Battery Charger Pack built-in Micro-USB Cable and LED Flashlight for iPhone 5S 5C 4S (Apple adapters not included), Andorid Smart

It is very well made. When I bought it, it was $15.99, but now they raised the price to $18.49. It is still a really good deal. I charged my Note II from about 52% to 95% in about 1 hour and then takes another 1/2 hour to get to 100% as the the charging rate slow down more and more as it gets closer to 100%. The spec sheet said it is only suppose to have a 1A output on the built in cable and a 2A at the USB port, but Battery Monitor said I am charging at around 1500mA with the Note II.

With Astro Slim batteries, all that rubbery bulk around micro-usb connector is easily trimmed. That's exactly what I did with mine using kitchen knife ;)

Is that EasyAcc part micro-usb connector trimmer? Does it get stored inside? Can you take a picture of it next to your phone, would be very useful!

I have no doubt its a good product, but the price seems to be way too low which is an indicator of low quality cells. There is no way around it. For example, Anker released 2nd gen of their slim battery with 6000 mAh capacity (I reviewed it here: http://androidforums.com/nexus-7-20...0-mah-external-battery-stand-w-lots-pics.html) and its a top quality grade A cells, while the price is around $35. I know Motorola and somebody else make similar ones for a higher price. Anker usually re-brands Chinese products they buy in bulk and test out to sell with 18-month warranty, and typically they have a small markup. That is why I'm a bit surprised at $18.99 price of 5,000 battery. But if it works for you - it all that matters!
 
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I will need to get home to borrow my wife's phone to take a picture side by side with the Note II. It looks to be bigger than the Slim 2, as the width of the battery is almost exactly the same as the screen on the Note II. The length is about 1/4 inch longer than the Note II screen. It is about the same thickness as the Note II.

I don't know about the cell quality, but I do have another EasyAcc battery bank which is 12000mAh and it is working great after 6 months so far. I got it for the plane ride to keep my son's iPad Mini, my wife's Kindle Fire, and my Note II charged during the 16 hours flight. I was going to get the Anker one but I need 3 USB ports and Anker only got 2.

This thing looks really well made and feel like quality. The outside is the matte soft touch rubber material like that on a good phone case. The micro usb plastic housing is thinner than most of my cables and only a tiny bit wider with the little tab.

I like that it has a button you could push to tell you the state of charge of the battery. I read that on the slim 2 you have to plug in the phone to see the battery status lights. I know from experience with the 12000 mAh battery, I am always checking to see if it is charged. It was supposed to be for OUTSIDE uses, but my son and wife are using it so they don't have to plug their devices into the wall during their marathon kindle reading or youtube playing sessions. And I am left to find a empty battery when I need it... part of the reason I got this one so I have my own.

EDIT: Adding some photos.

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Aw bugger. So, the Anker Astro's with the built in micro-usb cable don't connect well if you're using a Defender case? Crap.

I have a feeling that Ander will change the built-in connector for the next Slim. I kept looking at it and it really doesn't need to be that big even just for the look.

And twister6, you can go camping for 2 weeks with that many Anker battery packs! I think between the 2nd gen Astro 6000 and the Slim3 6000, I will probably pick the Slim3. It is easier to hold behind the phone and thinner. Unless the 2nd gen Astro is a lot cheaper (I haven't check the price), then I might pick the 2nd gen. :p

I am still happy with my EasyAcc though. Although the rubbery surface is very easy to pick up oil from the fingers.
 
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"...Furthermore, if you remember my mod with clip stand from a car mount, I actually found it to fit together really well which is great, for example, while watching a movie and charging your phone up at the same. Everything is captured in pictures below!"
With a clip-stand:

anker_astro_slim2-17_zps9cc39c56.jpg


anker_astro_slim2-18_zpsc7174707.jpg

I went nuts over that clip stand mod and ended up finding that same car mount in a Big Lots store.
That clip is better by itself than attached to that stand. For me it ended up being a bit wobbly with my Note 2 on the windshield of my Jeep.

Thanks for the great idea and all the reviews!
I ended up buying an Anker product in part because of your write ups.
 
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