So, does it bother you to change the battery in your AirTags every year? I understand you because between the moment we receive the “low battery” notification and the moment we finally find that damn CR2032 button cell, weeks can pass… And all the while, our precious Apple tracker is coasting. But imagine that the startup Elevation Lab has just released a rather clever solution that could well change the situation!
This is the TimeCapsule (affiliate link), a case that will transform your AirTag into a real autonomy marathon. We are talking here about a battery life which is no longer measured in months, but in years. 10 years to be precise! Enough to make any Duracell rabbit green with envy…
The operation is super simple: you take the upper part of your AirTag, you attach it to the electrical contact plate integrated into the case, then you power it with two AA batteries. The latter, thanks to their significantly greater capacity (more than 3000 mAh), make it possible to multiply the autonomy of your tracker by 14.
The most meticulous among you will surely wonder what type of batteries to use? Elevation Lab recommends Energizer Ultimate Lithium (affiliate link), renowned for their excellent durability, resistance to leaks and extreme conditions. But you can also opt for NiMH rechargeable batteries if you prefer a more ecological solution, even if their autonomy will be slightly lower.
What’s more, the TimeCapsule doesn’t just improve battery life…. Its fiber-reinforced polycarbonate housing is certified IP69the highest level of protection against water and dust. For the uninitiated, this means that your AirTag could survive anything from a prolonged dip in water, to a high-pressure jet, to a Sahara sandstorm, to a session in your washing machine (but avoid it anyway…).
An interesting aspect of the design is its intentional resemblance to an external hard drive. This mundane appearance effectively camouflages the true nature of the device, making it less likely to attract attention. With such autonomy and robustness, the TimeCapsule above all opens new perspectives for the use of AirTags.
Think for example of everything that is vehicle tracking such as lightly used cars, motorcycles, wintering boats, campers…etc. But also monitor equipment… Construction equipment, agricultural machinery, professional tools, even shipping containers… Why not ?
Or simply for geocaches, hiking markers or that kind of stuff. In short, there are many uses for an AirTag with a 10-year battery life.
However, the TimeCapsule still increases its size since it is the size of a chocolate bar. We are therefore far from the discretion of the original AirTag that you can slip into your wallet! In terms of weight, with its 2 AA batteries, we are around 100 grams, or 10 times more than an Airtag (11 g). And the sound volume of the Airtag is reduced by a third because of the case.
Now if you’re interested, know that its price is affordable. We’re around €15/20 without the batteries. For something that lasts 10 years, it’s okay, I think.
There you go, I thought it was a cool gadget that you can buy here on Amazon (affiliate link).
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