Review: paul pitchfork - antigravity batteries
The Micro-Start XP-1 has recently been updated, to include two USB outputs and some minor design improvements. It has a higher capacity than the Sport, listed as 12,000mAh. It also has 12V and 19V output sockets, the latter being applicable to many laptops, and comes with a suite of different sized charging cable tips to compliment many (not all) laptops. Importantly, it can be re-charged from the 12V output on your bike, meaning it can be brought up to full power quickly after a night of heavy use. It is notably bigger than the Sport, but in the grand scheme of things it is still small. I’ve owned the original XP-1 for over three years now and it is still going strong after heavy usage, so I have confidence in the longevity of Mirco-Starts.
At the end of the trip, having tested both batteries, I re-evaluated the power-management conundrum. I loved the tiny Micro-Start Sport; being so small, it can also be used for day-to-day charging of you phone and tablet. But its ability to charge from USB was actually a hindrance, not a help; the slow recharge speeds of the Sport using the USB socket put too much risk into the power management plan.
In reality, I am not going to undertake a big trip without a 12V socket on my bike - if nothing else, it is essential for running an electric tyre inflator which I always carry. And let’s face it - one extra 12V charging cable for the XP-1 is not going to burst the seams of your panniers. With a USB output socket installed on the bike (or by using a USB adapter with the 12V socket), I can still maximise USB charging with all my other devices to cut down on cables and chargers.
However, for use as either a jump-starter or a regular back-up power source for phones and other devices - but not both jobs at the same time - it’s an ideal and very compact solution, especially for riders with bikes that have a USB socket tucked away somewhere, but don’t want to install a 12V socket.
A snazzy little travel pack full of plugs and gizmos
for the Micro-Start XP-1