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Photive 5-Port 25W USB Charger

There are several multi-port USB chargers available. Something that makes this one stand out is that it doesn't need a bulky power supply.

Photive 5-Port 25W USB Charger

Categories: Power, Reviews
Tags: Photive
Last updated about 8 months ago // Originally published about 6 years ago

I usually travel pretty light. I hate checking bags unless I really have to. But I still end up with at least a few different USB devices. By the time you have a phone, an iPad, and a couple of GoPros, you end up with several USB devices that need charging. Sure, you can try juggling a single USB charger, but that becomes a real pain.

And thanks to some of the new multi-port USB chargers, an unnecessary one. I’ve written about multi-port chargers before, but one of the things I’ve been disappointed with is that their AC power supplies are often bulky. And that’s a pain when traveling.

But the Photive 5-Port USB charger doesn’t have that problem. The power cable is a standard figure-of-eight AC cable (or C8 connector) that you can easily pick up at stores if you happen to forget or lose it. There’s no bulky external power supply. And it’s still a switching power supply, meaning you can use it with 110V AC or 220/240V AC (though you’ll need the local plug adapter or version of the cable).

The charging hub itself is a glossy white small box with 5 USB ports along one of the short vertical edges. They’re labeled, not especially helpfully, with things like iPad or Samsung Tab. It would have been better if they’d just put the charge for each. The labels correspond to these:

  • USB 1 / 2.1A (iPad)
  • USB 2 / 1.3A (Samsung Tab)
  • USB 3 / 2.1A (iPad)
  • USB 4 / 1A (iPhone)
  • USB 5 / 1A (Android)

But if you plug in all ports at once, it will still only put out a maximum throughput of 5 amps.

It includes voltage control, current control, and temperature control, all of which are designed as safety protections against overcharging your batteries.

If only it came with a small travel pouch.

The Photive 5-Port USB charger is available from Amazon. But if you’re looking at it, I’d recommend the company’s 6-port version instead (available here, which is a better product because it automatically detects the correct maximum charge for your device). Anker’s 5-port charger also has two ports with such detection (available here).

Photive 5-Port 25W USB Charger
Photive 5-Port 25W USB Charger
Photive 5-Port 25W USB Charger
The port labels aren’t especially helpful since most people are not going to be carrying this particular combination of devices (iPad, Samsung Tab, iPad, iPhone, Android). More useful would be if it indicated power supplied to each port.
Photive 5-Port 25W USB Charger
The power is supplied with a standard figure-of-eight cable. No fancy (or bulky) external power supply needed.
Photive 5-Port 25W USB Charger
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on May 21, 2020

Categories: Power, Reviews
Tags: Photive

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News & Deals

With the holidays fast approaching, there’s some great deals on photography gear and services available. I’ve put together a roundup of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020 Photography Deals. It’s a running list as new deals are announced, so be sure to check back.

Canon announces new EOS Rebel T8i DSLR. Canon has announced their new T8i DSLR. 24MP APS-C cropped CMOS sensor, 4K24 video, and updated image processing and detection systems. It’s available for preorder from B&H Photo.

New Firmware for the Ricoh GR III. Ricoh has release firmware v1.31 for the GR III. Release notes are: “Corrected — When shooting with the multiple exposure, in rare cases the live view may not display correctly. Improved stability for general performance.” You can download it here.

New Canon 1D X Mark III Pro DSLR Announced. Canon has announced their new flagship model of pro DSLR, the 1D X Mark III. They’re sticking with a 20.1MP CMOS sensor, but it’s a new and improved version and boasts an incredible native ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 102400 and an extended range that goes up to a jaw-dropping ISO 819200. With revamped autofocus, a new image processor, and all sorts of other bells and whistles, it’s no wonder that Canon is billing it as “The Ultimate EOS.”

New Manfrotto Pro Rugged Memory Cards. Manfrotto, an Italian probably best known for their tripods and studio accessories, has launched a new Pro Rugged range of high-end SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards. While they don’t have a huge selection of sizes and speeds, the cards are aiming for very fast cards that can put up with rugged demands. For instance, they claim that their V90 rated SD cards can withstand three times the force (20kg / 45 lbs) of a regular SD card. I’ve ordered some to run through my speed tests.

New Sony Alpha a7 firmware released. A firmware update for the Sony a7R IV now lets you control external Sony flashes from the camera’s own menu system. Up to 15 flashes in five groups can be controlled via the camera. It also applies to the a7R III and a7 III.

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I take photos. I travel. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

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