Tag: camera

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Taking care of your batteries

Pop quiz: do you own a lithium-ion battery?

battery charging

Answer: YES! In fact, you are probably reading this blog post on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop (all of which contain these batteries).

By nature, all lithium-ion batteries have a limited lifespan – typically 2-4 years. But the actual lifespan depends a lot on how the battery is used.

So that’s what we’re going to look at today: how can you use your batteries so they last as long as possible before needing to be replaced?

Almost all portable gadgets are powered with lithium-ion batteries. Basically, if it doesn’t run on AA, AAA, or the like, it runs on a lithium-ion battery: cameras, cordless drills, electric cars, etc.

The batteries used by most people most of the time are the ones in cell phones, tablets, and laptops. But the following tips apply to all lithium-ion batteries[1].

DON’T use the battery all the way to 0% regularly. 

It’s best to recharge the battery before the device turns itself off. For example, use your computer to write some emails, then plug it back in to charge.

DO fully discharge the device about once a month.

This helps the device give you an accurate estimate of how much longer it will run before needing to be recharged. Every now and then just run the device on battery power until it gives you a low battery warning and powers down.

DON’T use it plugged in while the device is fully charged. 

I’m looking at you, person-who-owns-a-laptop-but-uses-it-like-a-desktop! Your laptop has a battery for a reason; if you use it you’ll help it last longer.

DO store the device long-term at around 50% charged.

If you plan to store the battery unused for months at a time (think power tools put away for the winter), don’t store them fully charged or fully depleted. Aim for about half-charged, more or less.

DON’T store the device in extreme temperatures.

Extreme temperatures are a very bad thing for lithium-ion batteries, particularly heat. So hot cars and attics are not good places for batteries or devices with batteries. Also, if you have your phone in a case and notice it getting it warm/hot while charging, removing it from the case to charge will help keep it healthy.

DO charge it fully before using it for the first time.

When you buy a new device with a lithium-ion battery, start by completely charging the device before you turn it on for the first time.

In short, if your gadget has a battery, use it. Try to keep it around room temperature when possible.

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1 – Sources: Ars Technica, Apple, and Battery University

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GoPro cameras

GoPro in use
GoPro in use (Photo courtesy of gopro.com)

When my dad was a kid, my grandfather took lots of home videos. They’re great family memories, and I recently converted them to digital files and DVDs. One problem: out of the hours of footage, my grandfather is in only a couple quick scenes…because he was BEHIND the camera almost all the time!

This has been an issue with home videos since video cameras started to become common in households. Enter Nick Woodman. He was a surfer who wanted video of himself surfing. So he created GoPro cameras (for more, check out this amazing 60 Minutes story.

GoPros are pocket-size cameras with a huge variety of attachments that allow them to be put in all kinds of places: bicycle handlebars, hats, surfboards, cars, etc. (See the little camera in the photo at the top? Click the picture for a larger image.) Plus they come with in a plastic case that makes them waterproof and pretty much indestructible.

That combination allows them to be used to capture moments that would otherwise be nearly impossible to record. For example:

And here’s something I want to record with my dog if/when I get a GoPro:

GoPros are now the best-selling camera, and they have become relatively affordable (starting around $200).

Now I know a lot of you readers don’t foresee yourself surfing in the near future. I’m with you. But there are lots of other situations when it might be great to capture yourself doing something: playing softball, throwing a surprise party, sharing Thanksgiving dinner with the family, hanging next to your bird feeder, seeing what your dog/cat does while you’re away from home. The possibilities seem endless.

What should we discuss next? Fill out the form below to give me an idea or ask a question. Thanks!

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