Following on from the exploding EE Powerbar saga from months ago, here's a look inside one. Apparently quite well constructed...

http://youtu.be/B-1U_S1w00E

What's more there was no messing on the recall either. They were issued free but when I took mine back I got a £20 accessories voucher.

Interesting video! Certainly I've seen rumours that some of the earlier batches were less well made, but no idea how true those are. But I'd agree that a large amount of the total recall was a PR move (and tbh I'd never thought about the issue of not knowing the history of each unit before).

Very good at 35p each, I look forward to their return.

Hi

Do u think at some point, EE will issue new/improved Power Bars?

Thanks

Baz

I was told they would be available again by summer, so here's hoping.

Still got mine. Works great.

The one in the video looks like the earlier "festival" version given away at Glastonbury etc. The bars in the recent giveaway were several different designs. It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison.

You know that they are very cheap to buy... £5 to £10

I don't think so. The 2014 version was a more metallic looking design, as seen here:

http://ee.co.uk/our-company/newsroom...rging-solution

In the video comments he says it's an E1-02, so not part of the batch that was initially recalled in 2015. Someone has offered him an E1-06 to tear down, so hopefully we'll see a side by side comparison soon.

Bump for the updated video of the older version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB7LEoWsuW8

I like Clive's videos, they are always entertaining as well as being interesting.

The design will be obviously be used in dozens of other models sold elsewhere.

So what about the thousands, maybe millions of 'same hardware' power bars out there still?

Hi

Does anyone know if or when EE will roll out Power Bars again?

Thanks

Baz

I don't think they'll try again. The cynic in me says BT will charge extra for as much as they can and will stop giving away things for free like EE has done in the past.

I think he highlighted one big problem.. even if some of the model revisions were well built, you were at risk because you were being handed a fully charged replacement that could have been damaged in a number of ways.

I never exchanged mine, so never had that 'risk' but others potentially did.

If EE plans to launch the scheme again with a new model, it will still have that problem. Frankly, I can't see why it would want to get involved a second time around.

I think any marketing staff member that were to suggest it would be looked at very starkly after the bad publicity and issues they've had with multiple recalls.

I'd say that's a no, unless they are absolutely mad.

What Thine Wonk said.

EE told me that up until the end of February they were taking them back in and having them checked. Then, re-issuing the same ones after the checks. I reckon they are no better or worse than any others on sale, it's just there were so many out there, one or two were going to have problems. I'd have them again.

BT will give them away if you sign a new 12 month mobile contract and agree to take BT Sport for 12 months. If you already have BT broadband, that too will automatically be recontracted for 12 months. As will BT TV a new 12 month contract if you have that service in your current bundle.

But you will get your free powerbar!

I'd perhaps have one that I looked after myself and only myself. The risk is in the unknown and clearly neither EE nor the users will be opening up and testing them.

I am sure they'll be getting returned in a large container to the manufacturer, along with a nice bill to cover a refund and other costs.

I can't see how they can properly check them unless a suitable expert (e.g. electrical engineer) is doing it (and I'm sure they'll have great fun sawing into them as Big Clive did) - and given the cost of each one, it wouldn't be worth it. More likely to be returned to the manufacturer, along with a law suit if they don't play ball

A teardown of E1-03 that was published in July 2015:

http://lygte-info.dk/review/Review%2...1-03%20UK.html

Me too, they didn't text me to let me know about the recall.