iPod solar/outlet charger

[David@whiteblaze]

For those of you who are wanting to bring your iPod on the trail and can't decide what the most efficient way to charge on/off trail would be (I was going to look at a battery powered porta-charger w/ rechargeable batteries to boot) I think this device may be the solution: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a
It is a "solar battery" that weighs all of 5.4 oz (I believe). It allegedly plugs into a wall when in a town, and will charge on solar power along with having the capability to hold a small charge. Best of luck, David

[BrianLe]

This isn't anything new, in fact the "3-petal flower" type of Solio is their older product (still good I think).
My version of this (in silver color, not black ...) weighs 6.5 oz when I include the wall-charging cord plus a little foam plus bubble wrap to protect it when I don't have it tied onto the top of my pack.

Wall charging in trail towns was, however, not ideal, or rather, having the wall charger for the solio wasn't equal to having the wall charger for my smartphone. I had thought/hoped I could sort of stream power from the wall to and simultaneously through the battery in the Solio and into my device. In practice this did a fine job of charging the Solio battery, but unless I monitored it, for whatever reason it didn't always seem to get my device charged up that way in town --- so that along the way I mailed home the Solio charger to replace it with the wall charger for my phone.

It still worked well overall in most of California. I'm not bringing it along on the AT this year, however, as I understand that there's a lot more overhead cover (same reason I stopped carrying it in WA state on the PCT). It's not that you won't get any charge, I just think that the weight plus fiddle factor likely would not be repaid by the amount of charge you get unless there's a lot of clear sky to pull photons from. Or maybe if you're stationary a lot and can find a hole in the overhead and aim it at the sun. Thru-hikers aren't stationary all that often, and those times tend mostly to be when the sun is low in the sky, so you need good sunlight during the day with the unit on your back to make it work.

Obviously for a person that hikes less and camps more, the trade-offs might be different.

[David@whiteblaze]

Well, I was actually trying to ask for opiniions on the best, but it ended up as a half-hearted sales pitch... sorry about that. But I do need a good small charger that will charge when not near a socket (there used to be emergency cell chargers al over that take 1 or 2 AA's)

[Hokie]

IGo Power Charger - Radio Shack - various tips available. Weighs 41 grams without 2 X AA batteries. Maybe one to consider as I believe the Energizer and Duracell equivalents weigh more. I have not personnally used it yet, but plan to evaluate. Perhaps someone on this thread has tried it with an Ipod? Good luck!

[BrianLe]

There still are such emergency chargers; I don't know that they work equally well for every phone. The Energizer version didn't seem to consistently charge my smartphone, FWIW.

The Solio works well, so long as the limitations of a solar charger are understood. I think the "best" charger will depend on particular circumstances --- again, a person who spends more stationary time in the backcountry will find a solar charger more effective. It also depends on whether you want the Solio approach of charge the battery during the day, then use the battery to charge your device at night --- or a solar charger that directly charges your device is appropriate (thus saving the weight of the internal battery). More surface area of charger is of course a good thing, so long as you have a place to spread it out; for that reason, those that want to deploy their charger while "on the move" don't tend to go for large surface area solutions.

Maybe someday they'll come up with a light and flexible solar collecting material that can be applied to a broad-brimmed hat ...

[mweinstone]

here is the top company in my opinion. this isnt their latest, but their the best. this one is 6.2 oz.

http://infiniteelectronix.com/brunto...archarger.aspx

[David@whiteblaze]

how do you plug in? all i see is a solar panel...

[maxdakota]

Solar chargers do not last forever. They can take about 1,000 charges before the batteries need replacing. This may factor in if you want to buy one. So what do you do with your old Solio batteries? The rechargeable batteries can be recycled responsibly and replacements bought for around $25.

[MikenSalem]

I took my Solio for a test spin on the AT in Georgia and it didn't gain a 1/4 charge the whole week. It was very dissapointing. If it were out west it'd probably be fine. I did buy additional batteries for my BBerry at $5 each on eBay and they weigh less than a AA battery each. Just another reason i wont get an Iphone..cant swap batteries. Chargers are something else to tear up....just like a phone.

[matUSCG]

For ipod/iphone users you can get 2 full charges out of this, uses the same charger as ipod/iphone. For the price get 2 or 3.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[Chris "MOJO" Purro]

I've been using two versions of the SOlio for quite awhile now. I have found that they take a LOT longer to charge than indicated. Of course, the time they give is in direct sunlight etc... etc.. But if your on the CDT for example, and tie it to your pack with paracord, it charges nicely during the day (getting more time in direct light during stops). On the AT, I've found that the Solio's built in rechargable battery is great! The device charges my iphone two times fully (and another half or so).... Which means, if your not using it a lot, that, those two charges can keep you going between towns. At towns, I use the wall outlet to charge the device fully. Also... after visiting Solio's website. I bought another battery! Charged that one, and keep it in the pack for an emergency (weighs nothing, and is identical to a cordless phone battery). I've used the Solio (with correct cords), to run GPS, Phone etc... I even have the cigerette lighter adaptor just in case. Depending on where you buy them (on sale all the time), they come with various plugs/cords/accessories. They're pretty good water-resistant, although, just to be sure I pack it away in the rain(since it wouldn't be charging anyways).
I've checked out Brunton, and most other Solar Chargers (needing them for electronics on the CDT), and have found the Solio to be the lightest. There's a new Solar charger--GOAL ZERO--out that (comes seperate with the charger and panel, or together for higher price), but I found the unit VERY heavy, comes with multiple pieces to damage and/or lose, and is NOT water resistant (let alone bounce/bang resistant)... It's a nice unit for charging GPS's... camera's at home, but not on the trail. The Solio also charges my Iphone's Mophie Juicepack (or "InCase"...), which adds another day to it's capabilities; via the micro-USB tip. All in all... I'm sold on the Solio!
PS. Will continue to try other units in the field over the next year though! Keep in touch!
PSS. The "InCase" and Mophie Juicpack" etc... all help to protect the Iphone's delicate packaging, while adding battery life. However, I've gone over to the "OtterBox" protection which has rubberized protection for all openings, and you can hear the speakers well, while also having the ability to charge the unit (all without ever taking it out of the case; although it doesn't have extra battery power or anything... like the Magellen Case... but's that's crazy expensive)!

[LDog]

Everything I've read supports what others have said about solar on the AT - Not enough sunlight and way to much fiddling for minimal gains. I like this option:
http://store.bruntonoutdoor.com/port...-trade-orange/

Charge it in town and get several charges out of it. It can be had for considerably less than $72 ... It's been on my REI wishlist for awhile now, and I'm more than a little disappointed none of you got it for me for my last birthday. Now it looks like it's on backorder there.

[LDog]

This has some potential. It's heavy, and not yet on the market, but it was an AT Hiker who invented it and it's made in the USA:
http://npowerpeg.com/specifications

[Llama Legs]

This has some potential. It's heavy, and not yet on the market, but it was an AT Hiker who invented it and it's made in the USA:
http://npowerpeg.com/specifications

So far to me it looks like vaporware. I've had one on order for over a year. I spoke to the company just last week and they claim that they've sorted out a "battery supplier" issue. I will post as soon as tested. It's the holy grail for techies if they ever deliver.

[Walkintom]

I have been looking at power options as well and came across this.

http://www.veho-uk.com/main/shop_det...px?article=129

Has anyone tried it to know if it is any good?

[LDog]

So far to me it looks like vaporware. I've had one on order for over a year. I spoke to the company just last week and they claim that they've sorted out a "battery supplier" issue. I will post as soon as tested. It's the holy grail for techies if they ever deliver.

I've heard folks suggest that the only thing the company produces is press releases...

[Mountain Mike]

I just got one of these through Amazon. I will let you know how it works. For the price if it doesn't work out I at least end up with a solar charged led light. http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Solar-...1875436&sr=8-1

[Llama Legs]

I've heard folks suggest that the only thing the company produces is press releases...

holy crap, it looks like it shipped today!

I'll report back ASAP.

[Rick500]

Cool! Eager to hear how well it works.

[LDog]

holy crap, it looks like it shipped today!
I'll report back ASAP.

Wow, that's great. Maybe they have their supplier issues straightened out. I see nothing on their website or Facebook page suggesting that they're taking new orders. I had signed up for notification when they were, and have heard nothing.

Interesting stat on their specs page is that you can expect to power a 3g phone 1 minute for every 28 minutes of walking. So, that's like 5 mins a day or 25 mins between town visits.

I suspect I'd use an iPhone more for daily journaling, reference to documents stored as ebooks or pdfs, and the occasional GPS navigation thing with very few phone calls. I'm wondering if the Peg will keep up with that kind of use.

It weighs 11ozs. The Brunton Inspire Portable Power Device provides 2-3 charges at 5.5 ozs. But, you have to have some place to plug it in ... Would be nice to be untethered from the power grid and to still be able to take advantage of the technology.