[pct-l] Batteries vs Solar vs Town Charging (was Camera & Bear Canister)

[Bill]

A big advantage of finding devices that charge via a USB is that you can
carry just the lightweight cord and usually find a computer to plug into in
most towns whether that be at a library, the local coffee/internet pub, even
most hotels if you ask nice will let you plug in for a while to soak up some
juice.

On my long section hikes I go with battery driven devices just to avoid the
whole hassle of recharging.  Finding a camera that runs on AA's or AAA's is
becoming a problem.  Most of them recharge.  The one I have that does run on
AA's is big and clunky compared to current models.   However, I will say
that it takes pretty good videos and the sound quality is much better than
most other cameras I have used.

One last thought on replaceable batteries.   If you can find devices that
use the same battery size it saves carrying backups.  My camera is
unfortunately AA.  I would really like it if it were AAA.   My ultra small
GPS and Headlamp both take AAA.  If my camera were AAA too, I could carry
one set of backups for any device as it would be very rare for more than one
to go dead on any leg.

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Sean Nordeen
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 12:20 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Camera & Bear Canister

>I'm looking for a digital camera to use with my Solio Hybrid solar charger.
>Any suggestions?

You have 2 choices on a camera.  You can try to find a camera that charges 
via USB (most don't; not that I could find one that I'd actually want) or 
buy one that uses AA batteries.  If you go the AA battery route, you can buy

a AA/AAA USB Battery charger and connect that to your Solio; but of course, 
this adds additional weight to your solar charger (just as each charger you 
bring does).  Not all USB chargers are alike as some recharge faster then 
others.  Avoid those AA batteries with the built in USB charger as they 
don't hold a very big charge unless you don't mind recharging them often.

I'm an electrical engineer, so the idea of solar power on the trail 
interests me.  However, when I have done a weight comparison of carrying 
spare batteries that I think I might need verses the solar charger and the 
various adaptors that I'd need, the ontrail solar recharge plan was much 
heavier.  My own plan though involves having to bounce my chargers and pick 
them up every week or two. Of course, this is specific to my electronics and

my experience in how often I use them in a given week on the trail.  So I've

ruled out Solar for the time being, though I keep looking at the option.

Just like how many people buy lighter gear specifically for their thru-hike,

I think buying electronics specific for a thru hike is the way to go and 
thus battery life and weight are important factors (the ligher the weight, 
the more spare batteries you can carry, the longer the battery life, the 
less spares you need, if any).  As an example, rather then bringing an IPod 
type music player that you already own with its sub 20hour battery life, for

backpacking, I bought a 16MB MP3 player (Cowon brand) that holds enought 
charge for 40+hours of playback which for my typical backcountry use would 
last almost 2 weeks before needing a recharge and thus recharging can wait 
for the next town.

-Sean 

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