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USB + AA Solar Panel Charger |  | Brand: PowerFilm
Category: Lawn & Patio
List Price: $99.00
Buy New: $79.99
as of 9/5/2010 15:16 EDT details
You Save: $19.01 (19%)
New (25) from $79.99
Seller: Veneconline outdoors & more
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 1674
Color: Black
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7 x 4 x 2
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 2414B
Model: Black USB+AA Solar Charger
UPC: 818040000160
EAN: 0818040000160
ASIN: B001RMBHMK
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Folds up compactly to fit into a pocket | | • | POWERFILM USB+ AA 2-AA BATTERY CHARGER W/ USB | | • | Charges 2 AA rechargable batteries | | • | 0 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
USB + AA Charger
Ultra compact, ultra lightweight and yet very durable, the PowerFlim USB + AA Solar Charger is ideal for everyday use. The USB + AA Solar Charger charges most small USB devices.
Proprietary charging circuitry maximizes charge into the batteries. It provides full charge in four hours of full sun, and with a charging light on the side of the enclosure, indicates charging status.
Six grommets are built into the charger to allow for secure fastening to a pack or to the ground. Direct integration of the PowerFilm flexible solar panels onto the fabric allows for easy storage into a pocket.
Operating Voltage: 3.6
Operating Current: 0.4
Weight (Ounces): 4.9 (Without batteries)
Folded Dimensions: 3.25 x 5.5 x 1.38
Unfolded Dimensions: 24 x 5.5
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 19
 Best Device in its Class October 23, 2009
ScanMan (California USA)
84 out of 84 found this review helpful
The PowerFilm USB + AA charger is probably the best product and design I have seen in terms of AA solar chargers, especially for backpackers. Stores like REI and EMS need to carry this charger. Basically, this is 2 devices in 1. It is a solar charger for NiMH batteries (2 NiMH Sanyo 2000mAh batteries come with the product). It is also a voltage transformer that takes the 2.4v of the NiMH batteries and ramps it up to 5v allowing you to charge a USB device (like a cell phone or iPod) using the charged batteries, even when it is NOT in the sun. This means that you can lash the unit onto your backpack or car dash without having to tether your phone to it all day, and then draw from the stored energy in the batteries at night. I charged two batteries in the sun with no problem and then charged an iPod Nano 2G while the solar panel was folded up, and it work perfectly.
In terms of backpacking, I can't imagine that there is a better option. It is light weight (I weighed it myself and it's 4.95oz without the batteries, 6.80oz with batteries) and has a large enough solar panel to get the job done. It also has a number of grommets for lashing the unit to the hood of a backpack, and the solar panels themselves are just about the width of a hood on most backpacks (not daypacks for school, but full-on internal frame Gregory, Dana, Osprey, REI backpacks). Most AA solar chargers have a ridiculously small solar panel that would require a week in the sun to charge a AA battery. This unit can charge two dead 2000mAh NiMH batteries in 5 hours of full sun. Given that you might have a cloudy day, that is exactly the type of power you need.
In regard to the reviewer who gave this a 1/5, you have to install the batteries into the unit and charge them some before it will produce sufficient USB power. If you had a lot of sun and dead batteries, then charge them for 2-3 hours first and then plug in your USB device. The instructions clearly state this as follows:
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ATTACHING A USB DEVICE FOR CHARGING
Plug the USB cable that came with your device into the USB socket on the side of the battery compartment. Connect your device to the other end of the USB cable. Check your USB device to determine if the device is charging. Note that the AA batteries are required to be installed for USB charging, and that the AA batteries must have some level of charge. Charge AA batteries from the sun before charging USB devices for best performance.
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The only "con" to this things is that the manufacturer really has not taken the time to explain how versatile and useful the thing is. Prior to making my purchase, I really had to search through a lot of web pages to figure out that it can charge a USB device from the batteries when it is not in the sun. That is a big positive feature that they have not mentioned.
Overall, I can't think of a better charger that is this small, lightweight, durable and is versatile enough to charge AA batteries for something like a Garmin GPS for hiking (eTrex, 60CSx, Oregon, etc), and it works on USB devices as well. In addition to an iPod Nano 2G, I charged a Nokia cell phone with no trouble. It is definitely the best of the best in terms of solar AA/USB chargers.
Better than expected. February 25, 2010
Lars Sveen
26 out of 26 found this review helpful
I know solar chargers aren't that powerful and can be fragile, but I decided to gamble on this one because I really like the concept. I could not be more pleased! Very very versatile. Rugged design, super light, folds up small enough to fit in your pocket, charges AA's AND USB devices (using AA power). I hang it in my window before I go to bed and by the time I'm leaving for work, the batteries are fully charged. I've been experimenting with it to see how good it is --I mainly bought it for camping and when I travel for work (all too often I find myself sitting in airports for hours).
Here's some random info that I would have found useful in a review:
1) Folds up to about the size of a large men's wallet.
2) This thing works waayy better than those Radio Shack solar chargers (which you have to buy charging tips for, I might add).
3) I was planning on making a MintyBoost, but now I've got no need as this is essentially a MintyBoost that charges itself!
4) The extra flap next to the battery compartment can be wrapped around something (like a pole) and it fastens to itself with velcro. In other words, there is usually no need to use bungees or string to tie it up to something if you're outdoors on a camping trip or whatever.
5) The solar panels themselves are flexible, really flexible, like you could fold them in half (though I wouldn't recommend doing that).
6) Battery compartment is NOT waterproof, but it is on the underside (from the solar panels), so a light drizzle isn't going to harm it.
7) Charges 2 AA's at a time (I wasn't 100% certain of this when I bought it).
8) I charged my Android phone from it and got about 50% extra battery power from it before it stopped --note, it did not drain my phone afterwards (I think that only is an issue with iPods). This is pretty impressive considering the amount of power a smartphone uses.
For those interested in it for "alternative power":
You could use this to take your phone off the grid, BUT not easily. Either charge the batteries before you leave in the morning (I don't leave at the crack of dawn) or if you have a long commute, you could at least partially charge them by putting it on your dash or whatever. Then charge the phone partway. Hang the solar panel in a window or something (facing the sun!) until it charges them fully again, then charge your phone again in the evening. Turn your phone off at night so it keeps at least some reserve power. Tadaa! (This really only works if you're sedentary like me.)
For people who have no experience with solar panels:
Don't expect too much out of solar. This is NOT more efficient than plugging your phone/pmp/etc. into a wall outlet. You need full sun and hours of patience.
Great Solar Charger December 23, 2009
Kevin A. Burke (Houston, TX)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I've tried about a half dozen or so small AA-type solar chargers, and all of them have been disappointing to some degree or another. Either they are flimsy and break all too easily or they take two days to charge a few AAs... They all seem to have the same weaknesses, with the occasional tradeoff for a strength or two.
This one is the exception. Not only is it far more ruggedly built than the competition, it seems to have much better charging capacity. Most of the ways you could think of breaking your typical AA charger will not work on this thing. It's flexible and long drops will have no effect. It doesn't seem you'd be able to crack or shatter the panels. The wiring is buried safely. I can't imagine how I'd break this unless I actually set my mind on it.
Charge time seems to be much shorter than competition, too. I haven't done anything empirical, but it does seem to charge my Eneloops much faster than the other chargers I've got and have had in the past. As a bonus, it seems to charge more USB devices than some of the other chargers I've got. You do need to have the batteries in to do this, it should be noted.
I like this one so much I ordered it's strictly-AA cousin (the 4xAA charger) to increase my charging capacity. I have finally found a charger that I can trust.
Good item for my backpacking! December 15, 2009
Yun Nan Young
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
USB+AA Solar Panel Charger is excellent!.
I bought this item for backpacking.
I have a MP3 Player and iPhone, GPS(2 AA bateries).
Solar Charger that Works February 23, 2010
D. Michael Sanford
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I'm not sure why this product is getting only one star from reviewers, I definitely think this is a great product, yes, its a little pricey for most people, but it works.
First of all, let me tell you the reader what I have charged on this device. ITouch, Sony eReader, two Blackberry's, and anything that will accept a mini-USB to regular USB connection wire. It will not charge a large battery, or a bank of smaller batteries. This is only designed to charge small USB powered devices such as cell phones and Mpg devices. With your devices charged up with this charger, you do not ever need a wall power charger. This can be used anywhere, especially in your automobile and while traveling. If you every have had a power outage and only had a cell phone to make a receive calls, you will really be glad you purchased this device.
Follow the instructions completely. Make sure that the two AA batteries are fully charged before using the charger for your devices. The charger is not designed to run high current USB devices while your using the charger. It can be used though to use a cell phone and/or your Mpg player while the devices battery is being charged.
The Pro's: It is very portable and can be folded and placed into your suitcase, briefcase or purse.
The Con's: I can't think of any.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 19
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