Gear Closet: Limefuel Rugged Portable Battery Pack

Keeping our electronic devices charged while we're on an expedition to a remote area can be real challenge. After all, we generally set out with a slew of gadgets with us these days, including smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other tech toys. All of those items are extremely useful when they work, but once their batteries go dead they are little more than dead weight.

With that in mind, a few months back I went looking for good solutions to help keep my iPhone and  iPad Mini running while I was climbing Kilimanjaro this past February. I discovered that there were a host of options to provide portable power, but not all of them met my requirements. I wanted something that was fairly lightweight and compact, but also rugged enough to withstand plenty of punishment too. I also wanted an option that would provide plenty of juice for my devices, as the trip was going to be 12+ days away from any kind of power outlet. I found everything I needed – and more – in the form of the Rugged battery pack from a company called Limefuel, which will no accompany me on just about every adventure that I embark upon.

I knew I had found the right product when I reached out to Limefuel to request a sample for testing and review, and they informed me that they would be happy to send one my way, provided I shared photos of me running over the Rugged in my car. The battery pack is so tough that it can survive being driven over, and still continue to operate with out the slightest hint of damage. That told me that this was the portable power source for me, and one that was meant for use on outdoor adventures.


The Rugged features two USB ports for charging multiple devices at once. Both of those ports are rated for a 2.4A output, which is a bit unusual in a product such as this one. There are other battery packs capable of charging two devices at once of course, but one of the ports is usually only capable of providing a single amp, making it underpowered and taking much longer to charge. That isn't the case here, as the Rugged will rapidly provide power to both ports, which can come in handy when you need to recharge two devices quickly.

Living up to its name, the Rugged battery pack is built to survive in the outdoors. It has a tough armored shell with a rubber finish that makes it easy to grip. It is also dust and shockproof, and water resistant with an IP66 rating. That means that it is capable of being immersed in water for a short time, and surviving. A well-placed lid snaps tightly over the USB ports as well, helping to protect them from the elements too. The result is a portable power source that is built to survive harsh conditions in some of the toughest environments imaginable.

One of the things I love about the Rugged is that it comes equipped with a 15,000 mAh battery. That is a lot of power to be carrying around in such a relatively small device. This gave me the ability to fully recharge my iPad Mini twice, and still have a bit of extra juice left over, which made some of the long nights in a tent on Kilimanjaro much more bearable as I didn't have to worry about using my device to read books, watch movies, listen to music, or play games. I knew that even if I ran the battery down, the Rugged would be available to help keep my tablet running.

Limefuel includes a cleverly designed, and very useful, charging cable with the Rugged. On one end is a standard USB plug which can be inserted into the ports of the battery pack when you're ready to charge. The other end has a micro-USB tip that can be removed to reveal a lightning port adapter for Apple products as well. Essentially, this is the only cable you need to take with you, as it allows you to charge any device you carry. As a frequent traveler, I appreciated this nice design choice, and it was great to not have to search for individual cables when I needed one.

Weighing in at 365 grams (12.8 oz), the Rugged is heavier than some of the options available from the competition. But I haven't found a battery pack that combines its durability, versatility, and power (15,000 mAh!) into one compact package. I have similar products that I have used when traveling in the past, and while some are lighter, they lack the larger battery, dual-USB ports, and the overall toughness of the Rugged. I'm sure minimalists will look for something smaller and lighter, but this is the complete package as far as I'm concerned.

The large-capacity battery does come with one drawback. It can take an incredibly long time to recharge the Rugged when it runs low on energy. Limefuel estimates that it could take anywhere from 9-15 hours when plugged into a power outlet, and I'd say that is accurate based on my testing. I powered up the battery packs overnight prior to departure on my trip, and actually used one on the long flights to Africa as well. I then topped it off again before leaving for the mountain, and had no problems from there. But you'll need to think a bit strategically about your charging situation, and take advantage of an outlet when you can.

If you're someone who needs a solution for keeping your tech gadgets powered while in remote areas, I can't possibly recommend the Limefuel Rugged highly enough. This is an excellent product that performs above my expectations. It is durable and powerful, without adding too much bulk to your pack. And with a price tag of $84.99, it is an affordable charging solution too. Limefuel also offers a model with a 10,400 mAh battery for $64.99 for those who want a slightly smaller, and less expensive, solution as well.

Either way, you can't go wrong. The Rugged battery back is going to be a constant travel companion for me from now on.

Gear Closet: Beeline iPhone Case

One of the most crucial pieces of gear that we own these days is without a doubt our smartphones. While many of us try to deny it, they truly have become a central part of our day to day operations. These gadgets not only play a significant role in keeping us in touch with the important people in our lives, but deliver a great deal of other invaluable functions as well. For instance, our smartphones maintain our calendars, provide important updates and information about what is happening in the world around us, and generally help us to navigate through life. They also have taken a role in tracking our fitness, as well as recording our adventures through photos and video. In short, a smartphone pretty much goes with us everywhere these days, and considering the important information they hold – and just how expensive they are – it is vital that we keep them safe. It is for that reason that most smartphone owners wrap their precious devices in a protective case, although even that can't always save them from disaster.

That's where the new Beeline Case for iPhone comes in handy. It not only provides a tough outer shell that protects your phone from accidental drops on hard surfaces, it quite literally has a lifeline that could save it from complete destruction. The designers behind the Beeline have cleverly installed a self-retracting kevlar cord with a tough carabiner on it so that you can always secure your device no matter where you are and what you're doing.

Judged on the merits of the case alone, the Beeline is a good choice for someone who leads an active lifestyle. It enshrouds the iPhone in a layer of protection that will keep it safe from typical daily activity, including the occasional accidental drop. The case features a hard outer shell, as well as a shock-absorbing inner-lining, that work together to keep your expensive gadget safe from harm. As you would expect, the Beeline still provides full access to the power and volume buttons, as well as an unobstructed view for the all important camera.


I appreciated the fact that the case the rubberized outer coating of the case made it very easy to grip. I never felt like I was in danger of dropping it, which isn't the case with some competitors. I also like that it fits snugly around the phone, but isn't too difficult to remove. It is a bit on the thicker side however, which may turn some iPhone owners away, but when you consider that it is meant to be used in active pursuits, such as climbing, hiking, trail running, and so on, it makes a lot of sense that the designers at Beeline elected to go with a higher level of protection versus a thinner shell.

Of course, there are plenty of iPhone cases available that can provide this level of protection. What sets the Beeline apart from the crowd however is its integrated carabiner on the end of a 30-inch Kevlar cord. This allows you to clip your phone onto a belt loop, zipper, backpack, or just about anything else you want to secure it to. The value in this extra option is that if you drop your phone while doing some of the activities you love, it won't actually smash against the ground, destroying the gadget you love too.

Inside the case is a sprocket that allows the cord to be easily pulled out, and easily retracts it when you want to store it away. A button on the back of the case is pressed one direction when you want to add a bit more slack to the cable, and it is pressed another direction when you want to pull some of it back in. It is a well designed system that works surprisingly well. It also goes a very long way towards providing a nice sense of security for your mobile device.

Awhile back I also tested the Highline case from Kenu, which uses a similar idea of incorporating a safety line for your phone. These two products have a similar philosophy, but are actually quite different from one another. For instance, the Highline is a much lighter case, providing only a minimal amount of protection and relying on its cord to prevent major damage. Meanwhile, the Beeline acts much more like a suit of armor for phone, although it adds more weight and bulk to the package. Also, with the Highline the cord is not integrated into the design in anyway, which means it is easier to forget or lose. With the Beeline, it is part of the package, meaning you'll always have it with you when you need it.

The Beeline case is available for the iPhone 5, 6, and 6 Plus. It comes in a variety of colors and carries a price tag of $59.99. That is twice the price of the Highline case, but considering the higher level of protection the Beeline brings to the table, it is worth the investment for climbers, runners, mountain bikers, or other outdoor enthusiasts who like to use their smartphones on their adventures. This is a high quality, well built product that could potentially save you a lot of money and heartache. We all drop our smartphones from time to time. It isn't a matter of "if," but more likely "when." Having this case on your iPhone will help protect it from those unexpected mishaps.

Gear Closet: Cogito Connected Watch (Updated!)

Update: After applying a firmware update to the Cogito Classic watch the issues I've mentioned below about it not staying connected to my iPhone have pretty much disappeared. That said, the device now puts more of a hit on the battery of my phone as well. The tradeoff is that you have a much more reliable connection between the two devices for passing updates, messages, and so on.

One of the hottest trends in technology at the moment is in field of wearables. With the impending release of the Apple Watch, there is a lot of buzz about smartwatches can do for consumers, although it has yet to be seen if there is a true market for these products. But Apple's latest gadget isn't the first entry into this rapidly developing space. There are a number of options available, including a wide variety of Android Wear devices, and the very successful Pebble line as well. Recently, I've had a chance to catch a glimpse of what all the fuss is about while testing the Cogito Classic Connected Watch, a timepiece that both shows the potential of these products, and sheds some light on their shortcomings as well.

At first glance, the Cogito Classic doesn't look like it is a smartwatch at all. In fact, it actually appears to be a rather stylish casual watch that you would wear for many occasions without drawing attention to its tech-centric features. Available with a wide variety of leather, nylon, and metal bands, it can take on a surprising number of looks, while its stainless steel body is eye-catching without being overly flashy in any way. This isn't always the case with other smartwatches, many of which stand out due to their poor design. But while wearing the watch over the past few weeks I've had more than a few people compliment me on how good it looks. When I explain a bit further about what it can do, they are often intrigued further.

In addition to looking much like a normal watch, the Cogito Classic has a few tricks up its sleeve. With its integrated Bluetooth technology, it is capable of paring with your smartphone (both iOS and Android) to provide basic information right on your wrist. For instance, it can tell you when you have received new emails or app notifications, and alert you to upcoming appointments on your calendar. It will also tell you when you have a new text message as well, and display it on a tiny screen hidden on the watch face. It can even alert you to incoming phone calls, providing the caller ID on that same screen. The device is also able to act as a remote control for playing music from your smartphone, and can snap photos with its camera too. As if that wasn't enough, the watch also functions as a basic activity monitor as well, keeping track of the number of steps you take throughout the day as well.


Much of the functionality baked into this watch is meant to provide convenience for the user. The alerts and notifications allow you to have some idea of what is going on with your phone without ever having to take it out of your pocket or bag. This can be enormously helpful when you're in a meeting or other gathering where looking at your phone is frowned upon, as a glance at your watch is much more subtle and less distracting.

While in theory all of that sounds great, in the real world it doesn't always function as nicely as it could. For instance, the watch will buzz at you constantly to alert you that you have emails or notifications waiting, but it isn't capable of displaying any of those messages on its screen. You still end up having to take your phone out to see exactly what is waiting for you. That might be a good thing though, as the Classic's screen is so tiny that it is difficult to read much on it anyway. When it does display a text message or calendar alert, it needs to scroll multiple times just to give you the notification. You won't simply be glancing at your watch to read a text message, you'll have to wait patiently for it to appear on the very small display.

That said, it is nice to be able to see those text messages, calendar events, and caller ID's displayed on your wrist. This actually gives us a tantalizing hint of the potential that smartwatches could deliver, I just wish the Cogito could offer a bit more in that area. But that's part of the problem with the Classic, it feels like there is a lot of potential here, but it it is hamstrung somewhat by the small display and lack of full interactivity with either the iPhone or Android devices.

Cogito is very careful in marketing this product as a "connected" watch rather than a smartwatch. I think that is a wise move on their part, as this is clearly not in the same category as the Apple Watch, which will be capable of doing a heck of a lot more once it is released. Of course, Apple's product also comes at a much higher price tag than this one, and it needs to be recharged every day. Cogito uses standard watch batteries in their devices, and claims it only needs to be replaced about once a year.

One of the main problems I had with this watch was keeping it connected to my iPhone. Pairing the two devices via Bluetooth is a simple matter, but if they wander more than about 20-30 feet from one another, they'll loose their connection. Typically they'll automatically reconnect to one another once back in range, but not always. I've had to manually reconnect on more than one occasion, and sometimes it requires jumping through a few hoops to make that happen.

On top of that, there are sometimes delays in notifications arriving on the watch. On occasion I'll actually feel or hear my phone buzz to tell me I received a text message or some other kind of update, but it takes the watch awhile to actually refresh and display the alert. While I don't expect instantaneous updates, I would expect them to be a bit more consistent with timing. Anything more than a few seconds seems less convenient, as often I could have taken my phone out of my pocket, and read the message before the watch has passed on the alert.

I will say that Cogito stands behind the watch very nicely. The company continues to push out firmware updates to improve functionality and reliability, and they have routinely updated the iOS companion app as well. This is  good sign for anyone who is actually thinking of purchasing the Classic, as it means that you'll get a device that continues to improve and be refined. One example of this is the fitness tracking aspects of the watch. That wasn't part of its original feature set, but it was added later.

If you're in the market for a great looking watch that can provide some "connected" functionality than the Cogito Classic is a good buy. It's ability to provide notifications and alerts is useful, even if it doesn't deliver completely on the promise of a smartwatch. The basic fitness tracking features are a nice addition as well, and as a frequent traveler I appreciate its dual-time capability too. This watch is also quite affordable at $179.95, comparing favorably to the Apple Watch which starts at $350. Add in the fact that the battery lasts for months, rather than hours, and you can begin to see how the two companies have taken a different approach to putting technology on your wrist.

I am a person who pretty much wears a watch every waking hour of the day. As such, I have several watches to choose from depending on the days activities and the social setting. The Cogito Classic fits in nicely with that line-up, offering some extra functionality that I don't get out of the others in my collection. I appreciate that it is stylish and good looking too, although it now has me intrigued about what a more full featured smartwatch will be capable of. I'm not sure yet if I'll invest in an Apple Watch, but I definitely see the potential that is there.