Portable power, even the sun-charged kind, is nothing new. But off-the-grid types who simply can’t resist the allure of an iPod, BlackBerry or digital camera will love the latest solar-powered innovation from Brunton.
While most portable solar panels only transfer energy directly to a rechargeable device (like your cellphone), the Solarport Flex foldable hybrid solar charger (MSRP: $99) includes an internal lithium battery that also stores it. That means that 60 minutes of sunshine will provide about 60 minutes of music directly off the 1 Watt solar panel, but a full eight-hour sunbath will charge your iPod up to four times, even after dark.
Featuring a 5-volt USB output, mini-USB for optional charging input and worldwide compatibility packaged in a 7-ounce splash-proof package that folds down to about the size of a GameBoy, this backpack-friendly unit can also be charged from a car, wall outlet or computer over 500 times.
Get it: at
