Lady1

I just came back from a trip to NYC where I used my iPhone mostly as a GPS and using CityMaps2Go--which I LOVED!!! But my battery was depleted in no time. I know there are devices that you can use to charge your phone on the go. Has anyone used them? Any opinions on which ones are best? Going to be in London, Paris and a few other cities in the fall where we want to use the app and GPS. At the rate it went in NYC, it'll be gone shortly after lunch!

griz_fan

I've had great success with the Anker Astro Mini. Good for a full recharge of my iPhone 5S and then some. Also, before traveling, I backup my iPhone to my computer, and then remove a bunch of apps, stripping things down to the bare essentials. some apps can really hammer your battery life.

Lady1

Taking off apps is a good idea. I'll go with that for sure.

RoamEurope

I used a Mophie juice case on an extended europe trip. The case has the battery backup built into it. It makes the phone significantly heavier-- more like an old blackberry. I loved it at the time and the weight didn't bother me. If I knew I would be back at the room or have a short day, I would just remove the case. At some point, though, I couldn't stand the weight and didn't replace it when I upgraded.

I also turn off the map apps very frequently when I want the battery to last-- use it to get to where you are going and switch it (or the phone) back off. Also turn off the location services for all apps not in use and set the screen brightness much lower. With a bit of effort, the battery easily lasts all day.

greg

Once you turn on GPS, any attempt to save power by tinkering with apps is dwarfed by the GPS power consumption. I use New Trent 6000mAh external battery charger. I use it in different ways.

As a car Cellphone GPS power instead of using a cigarette lighter adopter. I take the whole assembly with me and continue to keep GPS on while walking around after getting off the car. Can't do that with a cigarette lighter adopter. Without extra power, GPS consumes my phone battery in about three hours.

As a phone charger by bedside if there is no outlet to plug USB charger by bed.

Power for phone/tablet on long flights without USB power sockets.

I have had a 5000mAh model using a proprietary charger as well as the current 6000mAh model with dual USB outputs that can be charged using a micro USB plug. I like the current model where I can use any off-the-shelf USB charger. I try to minimize carrying gadgets requiring proprietary chargers. You do not want to grossly overbuy capacity since these things get quite heavy.

Lady1

Ordered a New Trent (smaller than yours,greg). It's all charged up and ready to go. Planning to test it out on a short trip for a family wedding next month. Thanks for all the help, friends!