Can you like and hate one thing equally? That’s the connection I’ve with Bluetti’s Handsfree 1 Backpack. For $349 you get a big 42L backpack and a thin 268.8Wh photo voltaic generator constructed round long-lasting LFP battery cells that may be recharged by as much as 200W of related photo voltaic panels. It options two USB-A and two 100W USB-C ports with a single 300W AC jack to energy modest gadgets like a Starlink terminal for a full work day.
I’ve been touring round Europe with it in my van for a number of weeks. On one hand, I really like that I can retailer all my gear inside a single large bag, together with my DSLR, lenses, Starlink Mini, a drone and controller, motion digicam and equipment, laptop computer, a 45W EcoFlow photo voltaic panel AND that comparatively large energy station able to recharging my MacBook Professional about thrice.
Then again, it’s an unsightly, overwrought backpack that appears prefer it was designed by {an electrical} engineer who dabbles in plumbing. Its brutal building lacks even an oz of finesse, regardless of weighing a really heavy 5kg / 11 kilos earlier than including any of my gear.
However there’s one thing to be stated about with the ability to energy and carry a whole distant workplace setup on my again, even when it’s just for quick distances due to the burden.
Bluetti makes a fair greater, even heavier, Handsfree 2 equipment that encompasses a 60L backpack, 512Wh photo voltaic generator, and 700W of AC output. I didn’t evaluation that one as a result of I’m not insane.
Each backpacks are coated in zippered pockets and Molle straps to connect absolutely anything, together with a photo voltaic panel for those who’re determined for energy en route. There’s even a GoPro mount baked proper into the shoulder strap. Digital camera gear is supposed to be stowed within the giant central part that includes foam dividers that may be shuffled round a wide range of pre-defined velcro attachment factors. The bag is simply splash resistant, nevertheless, so Bluetti throws in a rain fly.
Vented panels on either side of the bag may be zipped again to disclose all of the inputs and outputs of the photo voltaic generator. That’s a pleasant contact — that huge battery by no means wants to go away the bag. Port exercise will also be managed and monitored over Bluetooth from the Bluetti app.
The bag helps a great deal of as much as 30kg (66 kilos). I’m off the grid in the mean time, so I can’t weigh my full pack, nevertheless it’s rattling near the restrict. Luckily, every thing on the backpack is adjustable so you possibly can dial in your most well-liked weight distribution throughout the shoulders, chest, and hips. However the gear extends thus far off the again that strolling with a fully-loaded bag requires a major ahead lean to counteract the pendulum impact.
Look, I hate the aesthetics of this Bluetti backpack however I can’t deny its useful attraction. It may be a boon to photographers or distant employees needing to remain powered and related whereas spending the day within the discipline. As a cellular workstation, it’s just like the evil twin of Peak Design’s new Curler Professional, solely Bluetti removes the wheels and throws in a photo voltaic generator for lots much less cash.
You should purchase just the 42L backpack for $169 for those who by no means learn this evaluation, or get an entire Bluetti’s Handsfree 1 equipment with the backpack, battery, and Bluetti’s very transportable 60W photo voltaic panel for $399.
Pictures by Thomas Ricker / The Verge