Craig Raleigh

Gear Review: The Athena Power Bank

The new Athena Power Bank system is the portable power that you can take anywhere.

There's been times I really wish I had a way to jumpstart my vehicle. I hate to admit it, but I've had a battery die on me a few too many times. When I received an opportunity to test out a portable power system, small enough to fit in a glove box but powerful enough to start a 6.0L gasoline or diesel engine in seconds, I owed it to myself to give it a try.

This new, all-powerful system is called the Athena Power Bank portable energy system from Uncharted Supply Co., and it can keep you up and running wherever you go, off-road or otherwise. It's a compact 16000 mAh power bank with the ability to jumpstart your vehicle, charge your laptop and other devices, and even light the way with a flashlight featuring multiple functions.

It comes fully capable of quickly powering your mobile office or cell phone, and can provide multiple jumpstarts, all without needing to find an outlet. The Athena is waterproof, dust proof, and shock proof, so there's less worry when we get our hands dirty and slippery outside.

Now I have the ability to bring my own electricity source with me wherever I go, and I've found great uses for it on the boat, at the campground, or even in the duck blind. I'm already planing to take the Athena just about anywhere I go for my outdoor pastimes.

The Athena Power Bank Jumpstarter/Charger

Uncharted claims that the Athena can jumpstart up to a 6.0L gasoline or diesel engine in seconds, and usually achieve up to 20 starts with one charge.

Its intelligent battery clamps have eight protections built in to defend against sparks or shocks, even if it's used incorrectly. The Athena can also quickly power a laptop or mobile phone with USB-C, Micro USB, and two USB ports. The Athena's high-level voltage multiplier design generates an extremely high output by allowing all four battery cells to work together at the same time, prolonging battery life and producing stronger power over its charge time.

In addition to its battery jump capabilities, the Athena also features a 3-in-1 LED built-in flashlight. This provides a powerful source of light for any situation, but I thought it would be super relevant when navigating around a vehicle, particularly the engine, in an after-dark emergency situation.

The Athena's waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant design defends against the worst when things go south. Not only that, but the LED light system also has a flashing mode to alert oncoming traffic, and an impressive SOS signaling system built right to the unit. It flashes the exact emergency Morse Code signal known the world over, and is a nice touch that adds a little extra peace of mind.

Uncharted Supply Co. Athena Power Bank Specs

  • Capacity: 16,000 mAh
  • Micro USB input: 5V/2.1A
  • USB output (x2): 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A
  • Type C input & output: (PD30W) 5V/3A,9V/3A,12V/2.5A,20V/1.5A. (QC18W) 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A
  • Start Current: 600A (lasts for 1 sec.)
  • Peak Current: 1200A (lasts for 0.2 sec.)
  • Short Circuit Protection: Effective
  • Over-discharge protection: ?13v±0.3v
  • Over-temperature protection: > 65°C±5°C

Two of the most commonly asked questions about the Athena include the charging time and the number of times that it can jump a car in one charge. First, it takes roughly three to nine hours through the Micro USB input port or USB C input port to fully charge the unit. It also says right in the included instruction booklet that a wall adapter is not included in the package. You'll need to have your own.

According to Uncharted Supply Co., the Athena should give you 20 full jump starts per charge of the unit, and for iPhone 8 users, about four to five full charges. The Athena will turn off automatically when no load is detected on the unit or when charging is complete.

Using The Athena

Athena power bank

Craig Raleigh

Overall, the Athena is exactly what's needed, and very little that's not. It is ready to go right out of the box, and the instructions are complete and easy to understand. The thought occurred to me me that this would make a great gift. Honestly, it even looks good with its red and black zippered kit. The unit would fit just about anywhere on your boat, in your car, in the camper, even on your motorcycle. Just remember that this is meant to be a 12-volt specific battery jumping device.

I executed a flawless jumpstart with it, giving me a good amount of confidence in its performance. I met a friend of mine at a nearby campground and we purposely ran the radio on his old Ford Explorer long enough to wear out his battery. We had the hood up and the Athena connected to it in less than 30 seconds, and the vehicle came to life instantly.

One thing to note is that the Athena needs to be right up close to the battery for a jump because of a relatively short cord, but attaching the negative (black clamp) to any ground will work for a jump. As far as charging other electronics, it works without a hitch: laptops, cell phones, lamps, fans, just about anything that will charge via a USB port.

Athena power bank

Uncharted Supply Co.

The safety protections of the smart battery clamp are listed as follows: Short-circuit protection, over-temperature protection, over-voltage protection, over-charge protection, over-discharge protection, over-current protection and reverse polarity protection.

Not only do owners of the Athena get jumpstarter capabilities, but they get a useful piece of emergency equipment that, by all accounts, appears to be as reliable as they come.

Both the Athena ($130.00) and its more powerful counterpart, the Zeus ($150.00) are available for purchase at UnchartedSupplyCo.com and represent two of the newest and most useful designs in the power bank category.

More About Uncharted Supply Co.

The minds behind Uncharted Supply Co. have come up with some really smart ways to provide the gear outdoorsmen and women want to have on hand and know how to use, but ideally never need to put into action. It's an interesting market to play a role in, but Uncharted is doing so with growing reliability and recognition.

Here's what they have to say about their start and philosophy:

"Uncharted Supply Co. was founded by a community of adventurers and philanthropists all with a shared mission in mind: to educate families, friends, and communities, and prepare them for any kind of emergency. Uncharted seeks to bring peace of mind and emergency preparedness into the modern era. With innovative products like the Seventy2?? Survival System, standing ready is no longer just for the doomsayers and survivalists."

Uncharted offers gear such as backpacks, emergency rafts, first aid kits, and merch like hats, shirts, jackets and cycling gear.  It's their quality survival systems that really set them apart, and they've collaborated with the likes of Harley Davidson and Yeti.

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NEXT: GEAR REVIEW: RAVEAN ELECTRIC HAND WARMER POWER BANK

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