It’s only slightly less noisy than an electric pencil sharpener, but the battery-free, pocket-sized SideWinder Portable Power V.6 cell phone charger gets the job done.
Since cell phone towers have invaded even the most remote backcountry sites and everyone needs to be connected these days, it makes sense that we had to have some way of recharging when there’s no plug in sight.
The adaptor that comes with the basic, 2.5-ounce model fit my Nokia, and after about 2 1/2 minutes of rapid spinning, it cranked in enough juice from a completely dead battery for me to have a five-minute conversation. You also can keep cranking to talk indefinitely, but that could get pretty exhausting.
Truth be told, this isn’t a bad idea for a home survival kit too.
$24.95 plus $5 for special adaptors for certain cell phones. Comes in a zippered carrying case. Available at istdesigns.com or call 888-478-6565.
