Greg from LaserBear has just completed his rechargeable battery pack project for the Sega Nomad! The kit does not come with the TWO batteries you’ll need and it’s strongly suggested you only purchase batteries that have been verified:
LaserBear Nomad Battery Pack: https://retrorgb.link/nomadpakmkii
Best batteries: https://www.nitecorestore.com/Nitecore-NL1835HP-3500mAh-8A-18650-Battery-p/bat-18650-3500-nite-nl1835hp.htm
Excellent 2nd Choice: https://www.18650batterystore.com/products/epoch-18650-3500mah-10a-protected-button-top-battery
Amazon Alternative (currently untested): https://amzn.to/3QcXhCs
The kit itself includes the case and connectors that allow it to attach to the Nomad, however the batteries it uses are sold separately. If you’ve purchased the pre-assembled kit, there’s no installation necessary, other than simply inserting the batteries:
The kit uses two large lithium ion batteries, unlike the original Sega Nomad battery pack which was powered by six AA batteries. If you consider the cost of a used original battery pack on eBay, as well as a pack of Eneloop rechargeable batteries, the LaserBear kit actually comes out as the more cost-effective option:
The battery pack kit works very similar to the original Sega battery pack, as it plugs into the rear of the Nomad, with no external wires necessary at all; The power jack on the top is for charging only and not necessary when the Nomad is in use:
It’s also about the same size and weight as the original, with some minor differences; It’s around 27mm thick, which is about the same thickness as the original at it’s thickest point, however the original is tapered and feels a bit smaller. The new kit is also a bit lighter at 6.5oz with both batteries inserted, as opposed to the original’s 6.7oz when filled with six Eneloop batteries. Neither of these differences can be noticed as you’re playing and the Nomad feels the same with both.
The first time you use the pack, you’ll need to charge it using it’s AC jack on top. This is 100% compatible with all Genesis 2-style AC adapters, which is the same exact adapter the Nomad uses. As a note, it’s perfectly safe to play your Nomad as it’s charging – Just remember to plug the power supply into the battery case and not the Nomad itself, or it won’t charge 🙂
So far, the battery has worked perfect in all my testing, including on a Nomad with a Sega Triple Bypass installed, while outputting to both an external RGB monitor and the RGBDRV’s new LCD screen…all while loading and playing Sega CD games from a Mega Everdrive Pro or Mega SD ROM cart!!!
If you already own the original Nomad battery pack, I’m not sure if this kit would be anything other than a convenience upgrade; The original pack and 6 Eneloops work very similar, however the Eneloops don’t seem to last as long and most chargers only support charging four batteries at a time, not all 6. It’s my opinion that if you don’t already own an original battery pack, the LaserBear kit + batteries are an excellent value and a great companion to the Nomad!
