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Programbo
04-15-2006, 19:15
I`ve seen a few threads on here lately about how to re-charge cell phone batteries on the trail....Here`s an interesting device that charges via solar power and weighs only 2.5 ounces.......

Sidewinder Cell Phone Charger - Emergency Supplies and Survival Kits for Earth (http://www.iprepare.com/sicephch.html)

Frosty
04-15-2006, 20:35
I`ve seen a few threads on here lately about how to re-charge cell phone batteries on the trail....Here`s an interesting device that charges via solar power and weighs only 2.5 ounces.......

Sidewinder Cell Phone Charger - Emergency Supplies and Survival Kits for Earth (http://www.iprepare.com/sicephch.html)Why do you say it is a solar powered charger? I didn't see that anywhere. I have the impression it was a dynamo charger.

neo
04-15-2006, 21:24
I`ve seen a few threads on here lately about how to re-charge cell phone batteries on the trail....Here`s an interesting device that charges via solar power and weighs only 2.5 ounces.......

Sidewinder Cell Phone Charger - Emergency Supplies and Survival Kits for Earth (http://www.iprepare.com/sicephch.html)

:) wow cool thanks for posting this link:cool: neo

neo
04-15-2006, 21:33
here is a charger from home depot:cool: neo

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/jsearch/product.jsp?pn=091886

Sly
04-16-2006, 00:17
here is a charger from home depot:cool: neo

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/jsearch/product.jsp?pn=091886

You guys are a riot. 1st place to the one that can crank it for 3 minutes straight with either hand! :p

Programbo
04-16-2006, 17:58
Why do you say it is a solar powered charger? I didn't see that anywhere. I have the impression it was a dynamo charger.

Opps..Wrong link...LOL....Let me go back and find the solar one

Tin Man
04-16-2006, 19:45
This one works pretty well... click here (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1872451005.1145231066@@@@&BV_EngineID=cceeaddhiekmiffcgelceffdfgidgjk.0&MID=9876)

woodsy
04-16-2006, 20:08
You will likely have a better experience without any of this technology. Never have, never will need it. what has happened to self reliance on the AT?

Programbo
04-16-2006, 21:19
You will likely have a better experience without any of this technology. Never have, never will need it. what has happened to self reliance on the AT?

I know all about technology...I first stepped on the AT in 1971 so most of the standard hiking gear people use now would have been advanced technology compared to what I used then...I would agree that cell phones shouldn`t be a standard use item but if one saves one person from dying in some manner it will be worth all the phones that are carried just as a precaution...As a heart patient who will be on medication and have scar tissue on my heart for the rest of my life I can rest just a bit easier knowing there is a chance I can call for help should something unexpected come along...But other than that extreme unlikelyhood the phone stays buried in the pack turned off

The Mayor
01-07-2008, 12:29
I'm looking at getting the Sidewinder charger. Has anyone used it?

What's the approxiamte weight of the standard "wall wart" cell phone charger?
I'm wondering how much weight I would save by using the sidewinder.

Any adive from thru hikers and how they kept their phones charged would be greatly appreciated.

Johnny Thunder
01-07-2008, 12:43
You can get spare batteries for any popular phone or camera on Ebay.

minnesotasmith
01-07-2008, 12:44
I carried one for about 1/3 of my thru in '06. I only carried a charger for use in wall outlets. Just turned on the cell to try making calls when atop a hill/near civilization, then turned it back off after. Cell lasted days and days like that, nearly always til I got to an outlet I could use. No expense or extra weight from extra cellphone-associated gizmo. :D

The Mayor
01-07-2008, 14:13
I'm figuring I would take the wall-wart charger for the cell phone, but it feels heavy. I need to weigh it.
The Sidewinder looked like a useful alternative. Apparently, it's 3 oz. or so. I figured if I can recharge my cell by hand anywhere at anytime, then I won't have to seek out open electric sockets when I hit towns and/or wait for it to recharge. Looks like the cost of the gizmo is about $25.
If the Sidewinder really is lighter, smaller, and can be used anywhere then I think I'll get one.
If someone posts that they had one and the handle broke on the 2nd crank, then maybe I'll stick with the wall-wart.

ofthearth
01-07-2008, 14:39
steripen (water filter) has a solar charger that might be adaptable. Link below.

http://www.steripen.com/steripen_products.html

ofthearth

bmike
01-07-2008, 14:51
this works in the wall or with the sun. (http://www.solio.com/charger/)
you can let the sun charge its internal battery, or plug it in to charge the battery and save the charge for later.

http://www.solio.com/charger/_images/top-page-large/Universal_iPod_Charger.jpg

haven't used it... but it looks interesting.

Kirby
01-07-2008, 16:40
I carried one for about 1/3 of my thru in '06. I only carried a charger for use in wall outlets. Just turned on the cell to try making calls when atop a hill/near civilization, then turned it back off after. Cell lasted days and days like that, nearly always til I got to an outlet I could use. No expense or extra weight from extra cellphone-associated gizmo. :D
My lasted me 8 days through the 100 mile wilderness this summer using this method, it's what I plan to do for my thru.

Kirby

wrongway_08
01-07-2008, 18:33
The sidewinder is what I just bought, it works great as long as you keep your phone about 2 power bars or 2/3 charged.

The solar thing - 3 winged one, I have that also, dont like it that much, takes a while to charge and is a lot heavier then the sidewinder.

What ever you decide, I would also bring one of the quick chargers that holds 2 AA's..... fast and quick in case you do allow the phone to die all the way.

Just my 2 cents.

kayak karl
01-07-2008, 18:50
The sidewinder is what I just bought, it works great as long as you keep your phone about 2 power bars or 2/3 charged.

The solar thing - 3 winged one, I have that also, dont like it that much, takes a while to charge and is a lot heavier then the sidewinder.

What ever you decide, I would also bring one of the quick chargers that holds 2 AA's..... fast and quick in case you do allow the phone to die all the way.

Just my 2 cents.
i was looking at this one with a battery charger for 2= AA's. could then put them in a quick charger. i tried the crank one on a 5 day trip. (1) my phone did not like it and locked up and wouldnt re-charge till i got back to car. (2) it makes an annoying sound. wouldn't want any one using one near my camp site. that on wit the three fans looks cool, but i think the price was hi.

wrongway_08
01-07-2008, 20:05
Yea the winder does make an annoying sound, would not suggest using it around people.

gulester
01-08-2008, 01:19
if your wall charger is large then best thing to do is get a spare cellphone battery and bounce your charger along. only use the cell when you want to make a call otherwise cut it off. keep the backlight off and put it in your sleeping bag on cold nights to increase your battery. knew some people who did not like the solar chargers, they sent them home amost immediately.

Bob S
01-08-2008, 01:19
I live in Toledo, lots of truck stops here where I-75 and route I-80 cross. I seem to see a lot of interesting phone chargers at the truck stops. More solar then the generator type. If you are interested in these, give your local truck stops a look.

Also here is a web site that has a lot of self reliance products. Stoves, heaters and solar battery chargers. Lots of other toys.


http://www.Safetycentral.com (http://www.safetycentral.com/)