Do they work? Could they really work? I don’t blame you for doubting, and the answer to those questions might not be what you’re expecting: It depends. The two portable solar power options featured below are best-in-show, and while I’ve never had a problem myself, it seems some people still do. Be realistic. Neither of these items will really keep your laptop powered all day long and into the night. Neither of these will allow you to retreat into the woods for weeks at a time, with technology in tow, like a portable wall socket. But there are a number of worthwhile, real life examples that make these products viable solutions for everyday concerns. And at the risk of sounding old fashioned or un-lazy, making good use of these devices is equally about prevention and preparation as becoming the wired woodsman.
The Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger is capable of storing power for a year. You can plug it into the wall or let it charge the new-old-fashioned way — in the sun. It’ll charge your cell phone(s), PDA(s), iPod(s), fish finder, and so on without a problemo. I can imagine most of us would use this for road trips, (car and overnight) camping, tailgating, and during the occasional blackout or Hollywood-style end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it scenario that seems so popular amongst the kiddies these days. For less than one Benjamin, I’m on board. But again, I think it’s more of a prevention solution than an everyday usage kind of a deal. Open or closed, it’s still pretty small, so it will store easily and go relatively unnoticed in the travel bag or daypack. Hint: If you plan to use this with an Apple product, get this.
For more of an everyday usage, the Voltaic Solar Panel Backpack is the best option. It actually charges while you’re on the move, and equally important is the fact that the backpack is a great quality bag independent of the solar boost. It’s adjustable, good cargo space/pocket mix, padded in all the right places, and durable. This is also an excellent option for the more forgetful among us. Sure, you could run into the coffee shop with your charger, or you could just plug ‘er in and keep focused on making it to the train on time. Your call. Was that a sigh of relief I just heard? Don’t fret, I hear you cousin.
