I extended my AirTag's battery life to 10 years with this $15 accessory - how it works

3 hours ago 3
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Elevation Lab Time Capsule

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

  • It boosts artillery beingness up to a decade.
  • It is h2o and dustproof.
  • However, it does adhd bulk to the sleek AirTag.

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Apple AirTags person revolutionized each facet of my life. From uncovering my keys and wallet successful the greeting to keeping an oculus connected my luggage portion traveling, not a time goes by that I don't unfastened the Find My app to find thing I've misplaced oregon cheque that thing is inactive wherever it should be.

Also: I tested a solid-state portable artillery for a week - present lithium-ion feels aged school

But I person 2 bugbears astir AirTags. First, the signifier is unusual and doesn't lend itself to nonstop attachment. The 2nd contented is the one- to two-year artillery life. The artillery beingness contented is peculiarly frustrating, and I perpetually person a fewer AirTags needing caller batteries. I've present resorted to buying CR2032 coin batteries by the dozen.

Well, a institution called ElevationLabs has solved some of these issues with the TimeCapsule 10-year artillery case. As the sanction suggests, this is simply a lawsuit for an AirTag that tin powerfulness it for up to a decade.

Tough and IP69-rated

The lawsuit is made from tough, fiber-reinforced composite construction, implicit with a gasket that seals it to an IP69 standing (completely dust-tight and capable to withstand high-pressure h2o jets and steam cleaning), on with prime CNC-machined fasteners. An Allen cardinal is adjacent supplied for assembly.

You conscionable request to adhd an AirTag and a mates of AA batteries.

Just adhd  2  AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.

Just adhd 2 AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Speaking of batteries, ElevationLabs recommends Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries, and I 2nd that recommendation. These batteries connection fantabulous longevity, unchangeable powerfulness output, and successful my galore years of utilizing them, I've ne'er experienced a leak. Avoid utilizing inexpensive alkaline batteries for a task similar this, arsenic you tally the hazard of damaging some the AirTag and the lawsuit if the artillery bursts and leaks its corrosive goo everywhere.

Assembling is easy

Get everything ready, unfastened the AirTag, and acceptable the artillery and artillery screen aside. Fit the batteries into the case, spot the AirTag connected apical of the metallic powerfulness plate, popular the screen on, and screw it down.

Assembly is easy.

Assembly is easy.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

A connection connected the screws: They lone request to beryllium snug capable to mildly compress the gasket. I suggest moving slowly, tightening 1 screw astatine a clip until they are hand-tight. There's nary request to spell each beast mode connected them.

Snug down   the fasteners, there's nary  request   to overtighten!

Snug down the fasteners, there's nary request to overtighten!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

I was funny astir the wide prime of the TimeCapsule, its particulate and h2o absorption rating, and whether having the AirTag successful a lawsuit reduces its effectiveness.

The physique prime is exceptional, and the acceptable and decorativeness are excellent. The lawsuit is pugnacious and wholly water- and dust-proof. I've dropped it and trodden connected it without immoderate concerns.

Also: The champion portable powerfulness stations you tin buy

As for the scope of the AirTag successful and retired of the case, I tested this successful the constrictive streets of Marrakesh and recovered nary quality successful the detection scope oregon determination accuracy. I did announcement that the lawsuit muffles the talker a little, but it was inactive audible implicit the hustle and bustle of the environment.

ZDNET's buying advice

Apple AirTags are great, but the ElevationLabs TimeCapsule 10-year artillery case enhances their functionality for a assortment of applications. While the AirTag is cleanable for attaching to keys oregon concealing successful a wallet oregon purse, the TimeCapsule is perfect for usage successful luggage, camera cases, toolboxes, vehicles, oregon akin situations wherever the other size is not an issue.

A azygous TimeCapsule costs $15 (at the clip of writing), portion a four-pack is $35, truthful opting for the larger battalion is simply a no-brainer if you privation the champion value.

The lone interest I person is that Apple could alteration the AirTag's signifier origin astatine immoderate constituent soon. Therefore, my proposal is to person AirTags acceptable for each the TimeCapsule cases you acquisition and possibly support a fewer spares connected hand.

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