the best value usb power bank is back - also Universal Battery Charger $5.99 :)
note: only excepts of sale starting saturday 18th may included as theearth posted next wednesday's goodies while i was busy scanning to pdf :)
7400mAh Power Bank $29.99 Inspection Camera $89.99 Rekorderlig Cider 500ml $4.99 @ ALDI Next Sat
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I recommend the power meter as it works for low loads like standby power consumption better than the jaycar one which was double the price.
Great info, thanks.
i got one a while back (not sure if it is the same model) and the only problem was the plastic on the display went an opaque rainbow colour on hot days
How many mAh is say a 3rd gen Ipad battery?
Like 12000 or something
this one is more worthwhile, 30000mAh, can charge two devices in one go
Looks a bit small for 30,000mAh?
Thanks for scanning & sharing.
Definitely want some of those remote controlled power points.if they use AA or AAA batteries, I'm in.
If they're the same as last year's (I doubt they'd be any different) the battery is A23, which looks like a AAA only half the length. We've been using ours for over 12 months, and haven't had to change the battery yet.
Bummer if that's the case. Disposables are totally off my list.
Impressed to see a dishwasher. I'd like to hear if anyone buys one and could tag this post and come back in 12 months and tell me if its any good.
yep
I bought one almost 2 years ago, it does the job and running quite well
From aldi?
Yes from Aldi. I almost missed out on it. The Aldi branches were selling it before the catalogue date and I bought the last one on the first day of the catalogue sale. This looks like its a slightly different model, same brand.
I bought one of the sterling dishwashers from aldi last time and it has been great haven't had any problems. Noticed that this latest one has a better energy and water rating.
choice wrote an article on the washer: http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/household/kitchen…
I promised not to touch their electrical equipment even with a 10.5’ pole. Not after the absolute hell I went through with one of their shitty shavers. They made us go through the manufacturer rather than honour their returns policy even though the PoS was absolutely faulty. It was honestly easier giving birth than trying to get the bloody thirty bucks back.
couldn't be more different to my experience with faulty goods - instant swap
They have 60 days return policy. You can return to any Aldi store if you have the receipt.
Yeah dude you aren't telling us the whole story because I've had no issues returning anything with problems (actually just did a swap, cause it was a one off issue)
I'm not the only one who's had problems.
Of course it's not the entire story – it was a longwinded process that took months on end just to get the refund; you expect me to detail all that?
i returned power meter to a store once with a warranty issue (faulty display). they just refunded the purchase cost. under australian consumer law, the retailer is obliged to handle the warranty if you want. for bigger items (fridges, etc) they probably have in-home warranty service.
under australian consumer law, the retailer is obliged to handle the warranty if you want
Yes - which they did not do
What was their response when you raised this with them?
Ok, so ALDI need to hurry up and open shop(s) in Perth.
has anyone had any exp with their batteries and charger? cheers
I know someone with their Ni-MH batteries; they lose charge quickly when unused, unlike eneloop. Though a closer look on these indicates "precharged technology" so I assume these are low-self-discharge batteries and the ones I saw weren't.
I'm interested to see the charge rates on the charger though, but seriously I'm not expecting proper termination of charge nor flexible charge rates to prolong the life of the batteries for $5.99.
If I had to put money on it, I'd say not worth bothering with, but I could be proven wrong (and I have been known to be very 'protective' of my precious eneloops :)
They have sold smart chargers in the past - I have one - but the one in the catalogue looks like one of those dumb chargers that have a habit of overcharging batteries.
Their rechargable batteries are OK, and I'd buy them if I needed extra rechargables asap - but in general I'd rather wait for the next eneloop special.
The one main benefit I see with the batteries on offer here is C and D sizes (and 9V size).
Eneloops and most other rechargeables only come with AA and AAA sizes, requiring 'spacers' to fit in C and D slots (and they offer no 9V). Bigger actual battery sizes (C and D) mean more actual charge capacity (rather than just what an AA or AAA can hold).
These sizes can be sourced from China easily and more cheaply too (as well as the chargers) but it's nice to see it locally (in a supermarket, no less).
Charger definitely looks 'dumb' but we'll see. If it's good, it would be the real bargain here.
Vogue 4*18650 2-Port USB Mobile Emergency Power Pack $10.78
http://www.fasttech.com/products/1420/10003914/1280901Panasonic NCR18650 Rechargeable 2900mAh 3.7V 18650 Li-ion Batteries $11.66x2 = 23.32
http://www.fasttech.com/products/1420/10001980/1141102~11600mah total for $34.10
those batts are unprotected cells right?
Yeah the case already has overcharge and discharge protection built in
For people looking for a smaller unit also with genuine capacity (unlike most juice packs), I have this and can highly recommend: www.ebay.com.au/itm/Portable-Emergency-Backup-Mobile-Phone-C…
Like the Vogue it requires unprotected cells. I teamed it with these: https://www.fasttech.com/products/1420/10001901/1136603-auth… for an all up 25 buck, genuine 5200mAh replaceable-battery charger that fits in your pocket.
BTW - Ultracell (long-time Ebay, indeed stalwart Ebay, purveyors of batteries with wildly overstated capacities) have just put their sticker on this charger.
This is a serious quality little unit.Love the design of that white one, especially if the sticker can be peeled off.
Thanks for your wonderful advice. I was looking at some Australian stock and came across this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10400mAh-Universal-External-Batte…
Do you know how genuine it is and how safe/effective it is by any chance? All the feedback is positive as far as I can see.
Cheers.
nice find - only a few amazon reviews but all good :)
Ended up buying this one:
http://www.fasttech.com/products/1420/10004582/1353705
6200MAH for $15. Slower del. though
why that and not previous?
note that one shows image with 2a/1a output but specs only say 1a
To save some money quite honestly. I only need it for 1 phone that holds about 2000mah anyway. I'll post back regarding the 1a vs 2a thing. 1A should be fine but I hope it's what they have in the pic (specs also say 2x usb outputs).
Thanks for the heads up though.
Do you have something else to recharge the batteries or can you olug the case straight into the wall with the right adaptor.
Batteries charge internally. Charges via micro usb. Full size usb to micro usb cable provided. If your phone charger outputs to micro usb - as most do - you can use that.
How do you get 11600mAh from 2 2900mAh cells?
I didn't, and I'll have you know that I've never been mistaken for smellysocks before…
He/she/woven foot coverings was referring to the capacity of batteries they linked which come in packs of two. (2x2x2900mAh for the Vogue unit that takes up to 4 batteries).I wasn't replying to you, I was replying to smellysocks. That's why my post is indented to the left of yours.
smellysocks says $34.10 gets you 11,600mAh total. But that price only includes 2 2900mAh batteries.
Didn't notice the indentation. Sorry.
You didn't notice that the batteries are 2 for $11.66.You're right, I didn't! Well that clears it up then.
p.s. I would be a bit concerned about charging unprotected cells in parallel like that.edit: OK, looks like as long as all the cells are in the same condition and charge, it's fine! Awesome. Just don't start using one battery for a torch for a while and put it back in.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?322241-Ch…
I don't have the unit I linked with me and haven't opened it up (can't have been straightforward) to see whether batteries are charged in parallel or not.
As for the Vogue unit and the other 4 batt boxes around, as long as you keep the number of batteries you choose to use with it specific to the unit itself and hence kept balanced, everything should indeed be fine - on that level.
I'm more concerned about the specific charge-control chips in the various four batt units available, because I know they vary in their sophistication. Along with a specific Texas Instruments chip in some the Seiko chip in the powerbank I linked is as good as they get.
Just in a general sense, it is a pity that these, and the unit I have, won't allow you to use protected cells for another layer of charge/discharge protection.
You can't have everything.
Alas, some people don't even have clean socks.Does your charger do fast charges? I assume so since it's rated at 1.5A? Is that 1.5A per socket or 1.5A total? My current charger is a bit slow so I'm looking at getting one of these.
1.5 max total. I've never charged a tablet with it or a phone that draws that much current, but it should deliver the full 1.5 through whichever socket choose.
you can relax there is no risk of reverse charging which only happens in series connected batteries.
i can confirm that this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-18650-5V-1A-Box-Portable-type…
can fit a pair of panasonic 18650 3400 protected batteries from fasttech. its a very tight squeeze but ive managed it. havent tested to the extremes yet though with over discharge.
it's not polarity reversal, it's cells charging into each other. With cells that are equal it looks fine though.
http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/20738/paralle…
I put one of these together using 4 X 3400mAh Panasonic cells, it works great. I get > 4 full charges on my HTC One XL and charges an iPad 3 from 0 - ~80% (IIRC)
Vogue 4*18650 2-Port USB Mobile Emergency Power Pack $10.78
http://www.fasttech.com/products/1420/10003914/1280901thanks but aldi's can deliver 2.1a from one usb port and has 3yrs warranty
what about vogue's?
the extra .1 amp extra you wont notice (thats if aldis really provides 2.1a). you will however notice the extra mah and like quaddie posted above your post you can use even higher capacity 3400s for an extra $10.
thanks but are you saying that vogue's can deliver 2a output from a single usb port?
thanks for this post, bought the vogue + panasonic cells!
itsfree "I promised not to touch their electrical equipment … etc."
We had a similar situation with a Tempo product once. We called ALDI on 02 96759200 and they apologised for the worker's attitude and authorised that branch to refund us. Hopefully that number is useful for other members here.Thanks.
I bought their previous power bank, 5000mah, 25$, still works as charm. plus my experience with aldi is the best. last time i bought a radio with them, they give me a refund right away on the 11th month of warranty. practically i used the radio for free for 11 months. Love them
Does anybody know how big this poewrbank is? It has to be small enough to be portable or it is of limited use for smartphones. I'm looking for one but got a family event on Saturday and it will be hard to get to Aldi. So I need to know it is worth going there for.
A bit bigger then a deck of cards. I have the exact same one for long road/plane trips definatley worth it IMO.
It is heavy and big if you intend to carry it in your pocket.
fully charged mine is 275g and slightly smaller than 105x85x25mm
Anyone tried the Staroslav Pilsner? 500ml for $1.99.
Aldi Power Usage meters are good for the price, the results being within 10% of what a device's stated consumption is. I discovered that the subwoofer on my old, cheap 5.1 computer speakers was extremely inefficient, using 30 Watts even when there was no music playing.
My newer Swan 2.1 system only consumes 11 Watts in comparison.
Since when can a supermarket sell alcohol?
If they had online shopping they would sell a lot more.
I can't stand going to Aldi and having to queue at the checkouts.I can't stand all the pensioners, oldies, home mums etc. being there at lunch time. I mean of course they are allowed to do anything they wish, but having said that, they could go there any time of the day, but it seems they all congregate at the checkouts right about the same time when working people have their only chance during the day to get there. Anyway, was getting excited about the power bank, but reading Smellysocks' and Tas' comments, I think that'll be a better way for me to go.
Please keep your thought on "pensioners, oldies, home mums" to yourself or share it only to your small circle.
Everyone would have old parents, and we will get old some day too. Getting out there would help them maintaining their health and fitness, thus better for tax payers including you, Jakentta
jakentta,
http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/service/store_locations.htm
Most (all?) stores close at 7pm-8pm, depending on the day.Easy to get into an Aldi after work. If you are intent on not missing out on some of the popular Special Buys, you may want to get in earlier though.
Scumbag,
In-store advantages
* Nice long "conveyor belts" at checkouts to put your stuff down on
* Ability to touch-and-feel (and grope) "Special Buys"
* Ability to converse and eye-ball fellow bargain-hunters
* ability to see what obese people buy (you are what you eat)
* normally short waits
* Ability to bring your own bag and load her up instaed of having crappy plastic handed to you
* Not being asked about Fly Buys or any other card
* seeing employees sit down rather than stand up is sense
* ability to see discounted Special Buys from weeks ago that were unsold and otherwise unadvertisedvery slight annoyances
* to me the biggest wait seems to be waiting for people to input their card details, but that's no different to other supermarkets. I'm still amazed how many people don't think cash is king
* having to load up your bag quickly so the next customer can be served (if not using a trolley)
* I'm sure some people would prefer "self checkouts" in some other supermarkets, but this isn't an issue to me.
* you don't normally find young pretty checkout chicks at Aldi; they are usually older and more jaded employees :)I don't know how many shoppers would agree with you.
The lines are annoyingly slow, they surcharge for credit purchases, I bring my own bags regardless (plastic bags aren't offered at most local shops), aside from fresh produce who cares about touching products, and why would I want to see other shoppers??!?
Despite the annoyance, I am a regular aldi customer out of convenience. I'd much prefer to shop online, even a 'click and collect' option would be a significant improvement.
I don't know how many shoppers would agree with you.
i would :)
The lines are annoyingly slow
no more so than elsewhere and indeed usually faster as they scan/clear items faster than anywhere else - fast turnaround / max throughput is the game
as cheepwun mentioned, the bottleneck is at self-payment and -bagging, so someone with many items will be processed faster than many people with a few items each
they surcharge for credit purchases
true but 0.5% isn't excessive
your aldi is definitely different to the aldis I've been to. I don't go there often, but when I do, it's during off-peak times.
The lines are slower than elsewhere as people seem to buy enough to feed an army, and there are few checkouts that are open. I don't think I've seen more than two open at the same time.
The lines are annoyingly slow, they surcharge for credit purchases, I bring my own bags regardless (plastic bags aren't offered at most local shops), aside from fresh produce who cares about touching products, and why would I want to see other shoppers??!?
credit card surcharge
I didn't know about credit card purchases having a surcharge, but would you rather that surcharge be hidden in the cost of those paying cash, like other supermarkets? People have this love of hidden costs so they 'don't see them', but this way it's out-in-the-open as it should be. Merchants are charged for using credit cards, and learning that Aldi has a surcharge for credit cards has put a smile on my face. Hidden costs of plastic shouldn't be paid by cash users. This way the customer knows that using plastic better reflects the real costs to the store. Just like plastic bags do. But then again I have never used a credit card for local purchases so I have some (obvious) cash bias.But what's fair is fair; something that costs more for paying in plastic shouldn't be spread out to cash buyers too. In nearly all cases I've seen it also costs the company more employee time waiting for people to put in their details than handling cash does too.
waiting times
Lines have been pretty fast to me; I guess it depends on the time you get in and your local store. No different to many other supermarkets. In the early days Aldi (especially) had huge barcodes to make scanning more efficient (faster). When I get in line at Coles or Woolworths, I start to think their checkout systems need a good overhaul; tiny 'conveyor belts' seem like an antiquity, standing employees, plastic bags that fall apart in the car park…aside from fresh produce who cares about touching products
Aldi have Special Buys twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday). I need to inspect them to assess their quality and suitability for purpose. They can vary and their website just tells you the (very) basics, like most supermarkets do on non-food items. In my opinion, the Special Buys are often good value but need to be fondled.
and why would I want to see other shoppers??!?
I love seeing fellow bargain-hunters. I love demographics. I love cute kids. I like seeing what products attract which people. Sometimes I get ideas just by looking at someone's shopping items. Occasionally I speak to others about a product I'm looking at too. Basically, it makes shopping more interesting than walking into an empty store or shopping online. Or at least it's a nice change sometimes, since I tend to do a lot of online shopping and tend to avoid 'retail therapy' in shopping centres.
actually it makes me wonder why they have never ventured into offering online shopping.
They only have a shopping tool as we speak.
http://www.smartershopping.com.au/They could target specials to certain buyers more effectively by going online. They could target their advertising and specials more too.
But I wonder how popular home delivery is for Coles and Woolworths.
I am so close to them (and Aldi) that it would seem a bit pointless to me, and I don't normally consider shopping such a chore; more like a nice break (unless having to look for something in a large shopping centre for long hours..). If big discounts were offered, I would consider it.
I suspect some of the annoyance people experience with Aldi is due to their smaller stores packed with more people rather than endless large aisles of same-ish brands in Coles and Woolworths packed with lower population densities :)
But I quite like that I don't have walk down long aisles and it's easy to get in and out without being overhwhelmed with walk-fatigue.
The queues are what I hate about Aldi. I don't go there often (none nearby), but almost every time I go in to buy a few things, there would be just a few people in front of me at the checkout, but with huge trolleys full of stuff.
It'd be good if they had an express lane!
No different to the peak/troughs other supermarkets experience (leaving aside early Sat/Wed mornings understandably). Aldi definitely have their quiet times. Aldi open new lanes faster when needed. A trolley full of goods will be cleared much faster by Aldi staff than Woolies/Coles staff esp. as they don't need to pack them.
i was thinking about just their specials rather than groceries, like a cotd store … only good.
it's insanely annoying not being able to check store stock without actually having to go to a store.
it's insanely annoying not being able to check store stock without actually having to go to a store.
very :(
could always make friends with staff and ask for their mobile number :)
Even if they paid someone to take calls give stock updates to the many people who want items on Wed and Sat what would be the point? You'd never get through via phone on those days and they are not going to put one aside for anyone. They might put out 30 TVs, cameras, etc that might clear in 15mins. I'm sure customers in store wouldn't be impressed if staff had to waste time with people on the phone and staff wouldn't be too happy wasting time to tell 100s of people+ ringing each store they have no stock left or 5 that could go before you reached the store.
Think of it as a mini stocktake sale/doorbuster offering every Wed/Sat morning. You wouldn't expect staff in other retailers to be glued to a phones on those occasions. I think it's a fair trade off for them to be able to provide the offers they do on a regular basis. First in best dressed. In store early with cash in hand you get it, on the couch in PJs with a laptop and phone in hand well…
same reason ikea hasn't: to minimise internal processing/logistics as there's not much value in storing/picking/packing diverse items with a low price/profit-to-size/weight ratio
Think of it. You currently pick your stock, pack it and drive it home at no cost to them. If you wanted them to do it apart from the ongoing system and infrastructure costs you'd have to pay someone to do what you're doing and make sure the ice cream doesn't melt. Do you think $10 fee would cover it? Me either. They also miss out on people impulse buying. Online shopping makes money with big buyers eg. clubs, creches, etc. Pointless for low cost retailers with customers mindful of their spend.
The big two offer it to match each other otherwise I'm sure they'd rather focus on the part of their business where the profits are.
thanks for scanning the pdf!
i was hoping for their sliding mitre saw, but it is not there :(
Whats difference btween buying external battery pack from ebay(~$15) and buying aldi's($29.99))?
3 year walk-in warranty. I hear Aldi are great with warranties, you get a full refund even at the end of it.
Also if it comes with a wall charger, it'll be an AU plug.
Any idea if the Heineken is made in Holland or Thailand?
I only tasted the original dutch stuff in the US and WOW, it's way better!! (I'm not one to think the imported is always better either, i.e. I prefer Aussie Becks vs German Becks due to freshness).
I got the powerbank last year and it worked at first. I left it for a few months and it stopped accepting a charge and had signs of corrosion on the casing, didn't keep the receipt unfortunately.
I read here some people have had luck with them, maybe a bit hit and miss?
Which stores in Melbourne sell the Dishwasher????
I've had no luck most of the times finding most advertised things, it's a Hit 'n Miss affair!
all of them should; get in early :)
(you've got a week to prepare)http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/special%20buys.htm
ALDI special buys
We’re proud to offer special buys. But providing such great products at such low prices means streamlining our stores; and that includes not being able to provide special buys availabilities over the phone.
To be sure you don’t miss out, we recommend visiting ALDI as early as possible when new special buys go on sale every Wednesday and Saturday.warringal still had a few this afternoon but only one power bank on display :)
Picked up one of the power banks. Seems pretty good so far :)
Assuming you bought this when the store opened this morning, how did you have time to fully charge it for the 8hrs specified before making this post in the early afternoon??
Managed to get two power banks at Greensborough Vic.
Had trouble finding them at first. Went to leave thinking they had none, as I walked out I saw they had 4 in the display cabinet which was AFTER the checkout.
Went back in and lined up and asked the guy for them and he pulled out a box from under his seat which had heaps in them.So far so good too!
Just got my power bank… Wondering if there is something wrong with it.
It looks like there are 5 blue LEDs. I've left charging for much longer than 8 hours, but the fourth LED light is still flashing. It seems to charge my phone though. Is this normal?
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Love the look of that $15 power usage meter. If it delivers, that's a bargain.