Dennis van den Broek, also known as Pointer Function, has released an open source external battery pack for the Sega Nomad. The design is shared under the Creative Commons 4.0 License, giving DIY fans a clear starting point for building their own portable power setup.
The pack is designed around rechargeable 18650 batteries and supports charging over USB-C. There are versions with and without a switch, so builders can choose the layout that best fits the way they want to use their Nomad. The main project page is hosted on Printables.
For anyone comfortable with homebrew hardware, this is a welcome option. The Nomad is a brilliant little piece of Sega history, but playing it without being tied to a wall has always needed some kind of battery solution. This project could also be a fairly low-cost route, depending on parts and print access.
A ready-made route still exists for players who do not want a DIY project. Greg's Nomad Pak is noted as a plug-and-play alternative and has been around for two and a half years. That makes the choice fairly simple: build the new open design if you enjoy the work, or buy a finished pack if you mainly want convenience.
One warning matters either way: be careful with 18650 batteries. Fake cells are common, and Dennis points out that listings above 3500mAh should be avoided because they are almost certainly not genuine. Since seller listings can change, checking carefully is part of the job.
Z-retro's view: this is a useful addition for Sega Nomad owners, especially tinkerers. It does not replace every plug-and-play option, but it gives the handheld scene more choice, and that is usually good news.
