[pct-l] Solar Charging your iPod, etc

[Slow Comfort]

I've never used a GPS before but am planning on getting a Garmin for
the hike this year.  My son has the same concerns you do about the
Solio, he's not very impressed with it.  The only thing I've ever used
it for  is my iPod.  I'm really not a techy type so I can't speak
intelligently about output.  But for sure, it likes direct light and
hiking with it, even with my out of this world hat rack I made takes
alot longer than when its basking still.  It's worked best for me when
I set it on on a rock in full sunlight.  But it does work as
advertised for me.  When it's fully charged it's charged my nano twice
on its one charge.  And my nano plays for at least an hour if I just
leave it alone to play my aac files.  It may not be much but I'm a
music nut so I was grateful for the dead 12k up in Colorado last
summer.

Slow

On 1/12/07, c.engberg at cox.net <c.engberg at cox.net> wrote:
> I was curious about slow's experiences with the Solio
> Universal Hybrid Solar Charger. I have never used a solar
> charger while hiking but after looking at the specs on the Solio
> website, I am rather disappointed. On the Solio website they
> give a solar panel output of 155 mA @ 6V. This gives a power
> output of a measly 0.93 W. The one thing I am not sure of is if
> you can actually run a fully dead GPS unit off this low of
> power?
>
> Solio Specs:
> $99
> 0.93 Watt output
> 5.6 ounces
> 15.28 cu. in.
>
> After some research I think I may have found another solution.
> Powerfilm, Inc developed folding flexible solar chargers for the
> military, which are now available to the general public.
>
> Here: http://store.sundancesolar.com/po5wafosobac.html
>
> F15-300 Specs:
> $149
> 4.62 Watt output
> 6.08 ounces
> 18.56 cu. in.
>
> Th 10W version weighs only three more ounces! This would
> allow a group to charge all their devices at the same time.
>
> It lacks the internal battery (this is really an additional
> inefficiency) but makes up for it with 5 times the power output
> and flexible, weatherproof design. Simply unfold and use. I
> was thinking of getting one for my next extended trip and
> simply draping in over the top or side of my pack as I hike. Has
> any one used this in the field? Any opinions?
>
> your fellow hiker,
> -Chris
> c.engberg at cox.net
>
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