Tekkeon Tekcharge MP1800 Portable Power Pack Review

[tobyb02]

Excellent review, was looking for extended life of my zi8, found a Duracell USB external USB connector. Didn't know the power supply would come apart. THANKS FOR THE REVIEW. Very helpful.

[ClaudePelanne]

@tobyb02 Thanks for the comment Toby. Glad the review helped you out. Be well.

Claude

[MaxTrescott]

Claude, I called Tekkeon Friday and the support guy told me that he had seen a couple of units for which the green light wouldn't come on when fully charged. They offered to replace mine if it was less than a year old (which it is just barely). I kept charging it with the Zi8 charger and finally--after more than 24 hours--the green came on. Thanks again for posting your helpful video.

[ClaudePelanne]

@MaxTrescott Great news Max. Come to think of it, I charged my tekkeon overnight and a good part of the next day, not 24hrs, but not far from it. Maybe that's the trick. Useful information. Thanks.

[MaxTrescott]

I charged my MP1800 for more than 8 hours and it still shows a red light, not the green one I see in your video. Voltage output is 5.25 volts, so it's probably not a bad cell (after sitting on my shelf for a year). Does the MP1800 switch need to be in the On position when you charge it with the Zi8 charger? Any other ideas why I don't see the green light?

[ClaudePelanne]

@MaxTrescott Hi Max--When I charge it I don't put the switch in the On position. I just plugged it in now and got a yellow charging light. I don't need a charge because when I turn the On button on I'm getting a green light.

I am using the extendable cable that came with the tekkeon and the ac plug unit from the Zi8.

Not sure what's going on. I'd see if any it is showing any power, bleed it and try charging it again.

[MaxTrescott]

Thanks for the review--I found it very helpful. I bought the Zi8 and Tekkeon about a year ago, but didn't pull out the Tekkeon to use it until today. I couldn't quite figure out how to cable it to the Zi8 and your video answered that question for me. Also, I hadn't realized that I could charge the MP1800 with the Zi8 power adapter. So thanks for giving me so much help in such a short time! You can see a video I shot earlier this week with my Zi8 at youtube.com/watch?v=XuJfNF8_yI­U

[ClaudePelanne]

@MaxTrescott Hi Max- Glad the video helped out. The tekkeon is in heavy use here for all sorts of equipment--I have two teenagers!!! I'll check out your video. Have a great day.

Claude

[deadendkid1968]

I wonder if the flashlight part is bright enough to be used as a light for the Zi8???...it looks like a nice enough solution...I normally avoid the 1080p and opt for 720p because of battery life...this might be the thing that allows me to finally use it for longer projects without swapping batteries and removing the Zi8 from the tripod.

[ClaudePelanne]

@deadendkid1968 Unfortunately the flashlight is not bright enough to source light for a shoot. You will need a light source or sources ( key,fill and back light) designed for the purpose. The tekkeon light is more of a conceit than anything else. That said, I shoot regularly with the Zi8 and am satisfied with the results. Thanks for the comment and if you get the tekkeon let me know your results; Be well.