Elecon Nestout 10000N rugged power bank
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- A tough power bank that’s built to IP67 standards
- The unit has been built for standalone use and for use with custom accessories such as lights and fans
- This is a top-tier power bank in terms of performance and reliability and is built for outdoor use.
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Last year I covered the super-rugged Elecom Nestout 5000N power bank. I put that to the test by trying to break it, caveman style, with a brick, and, well, it didn’t break. In fact, I’m still using it. I was so impressed that I got myself a few more bits from the Elecom line to test — the Nestout 10000N 10,000mAh power bank and the Nestout Flash-1 lantern.
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And this gear recently got a pretty serious test during a three-day snowstorm-induced blackout.
36Wh power bank
The Nestout 10000N is a bigger version of the 5000N. Inside the tough polycarbonate shell (that 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, along with a 12W max USB-A port.
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The ports are protected by a screw-down cap that again adds to the water bottle vibe and gives the 10000N an IP67 rating, meaning it is completely dust-proof and can survive water submersion down to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
On the bottom of the 10000N is a 1/4-20 threaded adapter for a tripod.
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On the bottom of the power bank is a 1/4-20 screw thread that can accept a tripod mount. And this is where the Flash-1 comes in.
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The power bank and light make a neat, versatile setup.
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Flash-1 LED light
The Flash-1 is an LED light that can be screwed to the top of a Nestout power bank, and it comes with a tripod that fits on the bottom. The light is adjustable from 30 lumens to 1,000 lumens using an adjuster on the side that reminds me of gas lanterns.
The intensity knob works and feels like the adjuster on a gas lantern.
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There’s also a separate button for adjusting the color temperature from incandescent bulb to daylight to warm white (roughly 2,800K to 6,000K). The light uses a threaded connector to attach itself to the power bank, and the attachment is quite robust.
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It has a USB-A connector, and while it’s been designed for the Nestout power bank range, there’s nothing stopping you from connecting this to any powered USB-A port.
The light can be set to three different color temperatures.
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The light is IP44 rated, which means it offers protection against the ingress of solid objects larger than 1 mm and is splash-proof. I’ve had mine outside for extended periods, and it has no problems shrugging off rain and snow.
There’s also a nylon carry bag for all the bits.
The light can, depending on intensity, run for between 3 hours and 34 hours from a full 10,000mAh power bank.
Despite the warning on the back of the light, the unit doesn’t get that hot in use.
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A warning
On the back of the light is a warning that the unit can get hot in use.
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This worried me for camping use, as hot metal can melt nylon tents and sleeping bags, causing lots of expensive damage. I tested this to see how hot it could get by running the light for a couple of hours face down and under some insulation — the worst-case scenario — and it barely got above 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit (or 42 degrees Celsius).
Despite the warnings, the lamp doesn’t get all that hot.
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ZDNET’s buying advice
I loved the ruggedness, durability, and quality of the 5000N power bank, and the 10000N power bank and the Flash-1 build on this.
And with the accessories (there are lights, fans, and air pumps in the range), it’s a great platform for off-grid adventures or power outages. One charge of the 10000N was enough to run the light for the three-day power outage that I experienced, as well as keeping bits and bobs charged up.
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The Elecom 10000N retails for $55, while the Flash-1 is $45. Neither is cheap and is definitely overkill for those who never take the power banks beyond an air-conditioned office, but for those that take their gear outdoors, the ruggedness and durability are worth the extra cost.
