Interesting Idea for a Lantern

[fiddlehead]

Check this out: http://www.neaco.com/catalog/item/3990343/4965348.htm

Glad to see someone has an open mind.
A bit heavy for backpacking BUT, i would think it wouldn't be too hard to turn this into a lightweight version with perhaps a small (1/2 litre) nalgene?

Probably not that much good on the AT but out west?

[mudhead]

That would be slick on the porch, too.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Hmmmm.... a suitable solar panel (http://store.sundancesolar.com/smalsolpanfo.html), a rechargeable battery and an LED lamp could probably be built into one of those small twist-lock containers sold to hold children's snacks pretty easily.

How about this item? (http://store.sundancesolar.com/sofish.html)

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Wonder if this wind turbine (http://store.sundancesolar.com/wijrwitukit.html) might be an option for charging on the AT?

[fiddlehead]

Have to find out what he used but my buddy Rainman thru-hiked the CDT last year using lots of tech toys including 2 video cameras (he's doing a video that he'll most likely sell) and XM radio and powered it all with some new solar charger that charges many different batteries. (oh yeah, his cell phone too although i don't think there's much coverage on the CDT)

I'll try to find out. he said it worked very well.
Of course on the AT, we rarely see prolonged sun, aye?

[shelterbuilder]

Wonder if this wind turbine (http://store.sundancesolar.com/wijrwitukit.html) might be an option for charging on the AT?

I don't know about on the trail, but I know of some pretty long-winded people who could use one to power their computers!!!:D

They've come up with a peizo-electric CLOTH that they say could be used to make clothing that would generate electricity just by being worn!! Just what we need out there - a portable iPod charger.:eek::eek::eek:

[shelterbuilder]

Have to find out what he used but my buddy Rainman thru-hiked the CDT last year using lots of tech toys including 2 video cameras (he's doing a video that he'll most likely sell) and XM radio and powered it all with some new solar charger that charges many different batteries. (oh yeah, his cell phone too although i don't think there's much coverage on the CDT)

I'll try to find out. he said it worked very well.
Of course on the AT, we rarely see prolonged sun, aye?

I've seen some of the newer solar panels that are made on a flexible film of some sort - they don't weigh too much, and would probably be adaptable for the trail.

[orangebug]

Why not just take apart a garden solar light to do the same thing. Prolly a lot cheaper. Pretty sure I could buy 10 of those for around $60 at Costco.

[aaroniguana]

We use those jar lights in our kitchen tent at Pennsic every summer. They work great. If you remember to put them out in the sun in the morning...

[Wise Old Owl]

Why not just take apart a garden solar light to do the same thing. Prolly a lot cheaper. Pretty sure I could buy 10 of those for around $60 at Costco.

Next time you pull up to a shelter whip a few out and poke them in for a great party effect. I will bring the coffee, and the tunes.

[ScottP]

I tried a flexible portable solar charger from burton. It worked, but it had to be set up JUST RIGHT, which was rare. I gave up on it.

[shelterbuilder]

I tried a flexible portable solar charger from burton. It worked, but it had to be set up JUST RIGHT, which was rare. I gave up on it.

Solar is touchy sometimes - not only do you have to set up facing the sun (which means adjusting for the correct angle from the horizon), but most of the better panels can be shut down by the least little bit of shade on even a fraction of the panel face. Too much of the AT is shaded for them to work well here.

[IdahoDavid]

They do make a rechargeable wter bottle lantern:

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/05/solight_solarpowered_lanternwater_bottle.html

[fiddlehead]

I just got an answer from my buddy Rainman who used the "Solio" on his thru hike of the cdt last year.
He said it worked great and charged his: cell phone, mp3 player, xm radio, gps and more.
Of course the CDT has the sun to do this and the AT does not. IMO

But looking at their newest model, they are getting even better (and of course more expensive) just go to www.solio.com

[shelterbuilder]

I just got an answer from my buddy Rainman who used the "Solio" on his thru hike of the cdt last year.
He said it worked great and charged his: cell phone, mp3 player, xm radio, gps and more.
Of course the CDT has the sun to do this and the AT does not. IMO

But looking at their newest model, they are getting even better (and of course more expensive) just go to www.solio.com (http://www.solio.com)

If they are as good as the specs indicate, it's a nice little unit...but I'd still prefer to leave all of the electronics at home to save weight and sanity!!!:D

[fiddlehead]

He used them on the CDT where it is a lot more remote.
Sure lots of people hike it without a GPS, but he took one along with XM radio (not my thing, i like silence) cell phone (his girlfriend had never hiked before and wanted one, she made the whole trail by the way)
And he filmed the whole thing with 2 cameras and is now editing his movie.

A lot of that would have not been possible without that recharger or at least more than it's weight in batteries. (and properly recyling those batteries is difficult on a long distance hike)

Anyway, thought i'd throw it out for those interested. I realize it's not for everyone.

[ScottP]

The solio is also a battery storage unit as well as a solar charger.

I had the burton solar charger in SoCal on the PCT by the way. Not much for shade. had to be pointed exactly at the sun, or else it wouldn't work. Not that easy to rig up.

[88BlueGT]

I like my 2oz mighty flashlight/lantern