This bright LED power bank proved to be my most useful blackout gadget

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Last year I covered the super-rugged Elecom Nestout 5000N power bank. I tested it by trying to break it with a brick, caveman style, and, well, it didn’t break. In fact, I’m still using it. I was so impressed that I picked up a few more bits from the Elecom line for testing– Nestout 10000N 10,000mAh Power Bank and this Nestout Flash-1 Lantern.

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And this gear was recently put to the test during a three-day blackout caused by a snowstorm.

36Wh power bank

The Nestout 10000N is a larger version of the 5000N. Inside the hard polycarbonate shell (which looks like a water or fuel bottle or hip flask) is a 36Wh power bank with a 20W max output and 18W max input USB-C port and a 12W max USB-A port.

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The ports are protected by a screw-down cap which again gives off a water bottle vibe and gives the 10000N an IP67 rating, which means it’s completely dust-proof and can survive submersion in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

There is a 1/4-20 screw thread on the bottom of the power bank that can accept a tripod mount. And this is where Flash-1 comes in.

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Flash-1 LED Light

The Flash-1 is an LED light that can be mounted on the top of a Nestout power bank, and it comes with a tripod that fits on the bottom. The light can be adjusted from 30 lumens to 1,000 lumens using an adjuster on the side that reminds me of a gas lantern.

There’s also a separate button to adjust the color temperature from incandescent bulb to daylight to warm white (about 2,800K to 6,000K). The light uses a threaded connector to attach itself to the power bank, and the attachment is quite sturdy.

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It has a USB-A connector, and although it’s designed for the nested power bank range, there’s nothing stopping you from connecting it to any powered USB-A port.

The light is IP44 rated, meaning it offers protection against ingress of solid objects larger than 1 mm and is splash-proof. I’ve kept my stuff outside for long periods of time, and it’s had no problems surviving rain and snow.

There’s also a nylon carry bag for all the bits.

Depending on the intensity, the light can last from 3 hours to 34 hours on a full 10,000mAh power bank.

a warning

There is a warning on the back of the light that the unit may get hot during use.

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This made me concerned about camping use, as the hot metal can melt nylon tents and sleeping bags, causing very expensive damage. I tested it to see how hot it could get by running the light downwards and under some insulation for a few hours – worst case scenario – and it could barely get above 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit (or 42 degrees Celsius).

ZDNET’s shopping advice

I loved its toughness, durability and quality 5000N power bankand this 10000N power bank and this flash-1 Build on this.

And with accessories (there are.) Lamp, fanAnd air pump In range), it’s a great platform for off-grid adventures or power outages. A charge of 10000N was enough to run the light for the three-day power cut I experienced, as well as keep the bits and bobs charged.

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The Elecom 10000N retails for $55When Flash-1 is $45. None of these are cheap and certainly overkill for people who never carry a power bank beyond an air-conditioned office, but for those who take their gear outside, the ruggedness and durability are worth the extra cost.