Can you’re keen on 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 units 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 big bag, together with my DSLR, lenses, Starlink Mini, a drone and controller, motion digital camera and equipment, laptop computer, a 45W EcoFlow photo voltaic panel AND that comparatively big energy station able to recharging my MacBook Pro about thrice.
On the opposite hand, it’s an unsightly, overwrought backpack that appears prefer it was designed by {an electrical} engineer who dabbles in plumbing. Its brutal development lacks even an oz of finesse, regardless of weighing a really heavy 5kg / 11 kilos earlier than including any of my gear.
But there’s one thing to be stated about with the ability to energy and carry a complete distant workplace setup on my again, even when it’s just for brief distances due to the load.
Bluetti makes a good larger, even heavier, Handsfree 2 equipment that includes a 60L backpack, 512Wh photo voltaic generator, and 700W of AC output. I didn’t assessment that one as a result of I’m not insane.
Both backpacks are coated in zippered pockets and Molle straps to connect absolutely anything, together with a photo voltaic panel if you happen to’re determined for energy en route. There’s even a GoPro mount baked proper into the shoulder strap. Camera gear is supposed to be stowed within the massive 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, nonetheless, so Bluetti throws in a rain fly.
Vented panels on each 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 can 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 intervening time, so I can’t weigh my full pack, but it surely’s rattling near the restrict. Fortunately, the whole lot on the backpack is adjustable so you possibly can dial in your most well-liked weight distribution throughout the shoulders, chest, and hips. But the gear extends thus far off the again that strolling with a fully-loaded bag requires a big ahead lean to counteract the pendulum impact.
Look, I hate the aesthetics of this Bluetti backpack however I can’t deny its practical attraction. It is usually a boon to photographers or distant staff needing to remain powered and related whereas spending the day within the subject. As a cell workstation, it’s just like the evil twin of Peak Design’s new Roller Pro, solely Bluetti removes the wheels and throws in a photo voltaic generator for lots much less cash.
You can purchase simply the 42L backpack for $169 if you happen to by no means learn this assessment, or get a whole Bluetti’s Handsfree 1 equipment with the backpack, battery, and Bluetti’s very transportable 60W photo voltaic panel for $399.
Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge
