81
Voltaic Solar Backpack
$249.00
Released January, 2008
The Pros:Robust & resistant solar panels that even protect bag contents. Awesome compatibility: comes with many power tips for even the oddest devices, and USB, miniUSB, and microUSB. Battery pack included (for charging your gadgets in low-light conditions).
The Cons:It's a bit pricey. Only black as shell color available. No switch for power input between solar panels/AC/car-DC (user has to open the pack and change cables on battery pack).
The Voltaic Backpack is solar charger built tough for use on a weekend hike bag or computer bag. The Backpack has pockets and wire channels for multiple electronic devices and 1,850 cubic inches of storage space.
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The up to 4.5 Watts of solar power generated by the three rigid, scratch-resistant solar panels can be used to charge a large variety of cell phones, GPSs, PDAs, PMPs (portable music players), small cameras, etc. (comes with 10 standard adapters), but not laptops. The pack includes a 3000mAh @ 3.7V buffer battery which can be charged via the solar panels, the included AC travel adapter, or the included car DC adapter. During insufficient sunlight your devices can charge from the buffer battery, which also doubles as a bright LED flashlight (easily removable from pack). A cell phone shoulder strap pocket with a routed charging cable to it makes for easy access during hiking/skiing/biking. The pack's shell is made from recycled PET plastic bottles and is only available in black, however, the panel's frame color options are silver, orange, green, and charcoal.
User Reviews (2)
Pros & Cons
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1
robust & resistant solar panels that even protect bag contents
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1
awesome compatibility: comes with many power tips for even the oddest devices, and USB, miniUSB, and microUSB
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1
battery pack included (for charging your gadgets in low-light conditions)
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1
battery pack can be used as LED flashlight (great for hiking & tenting) and charges during the day through the solar panels
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1
A/C travel power adapter included (for charging battery pack)
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1
car DC power adapter included (for charging battery pack
)
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1
replacement parts (additional or new charger tips, solar panels, battery packs, power adapters etc) are very reasonably priced and can be ordered individually
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1
LED on exterior indicates when solar panels generate charge
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1
convenient & adjustable shoulder strap pocket, equipped with charger cable from battery pack
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1
shoulder strap pocket for phone/etc configurable to sit on the left or right shoulder strap
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1
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1
tough & robust shell material
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1
great padding in shoulder straps and back
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1
individually exchangeable solar panels
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1
enough smaller pockets & loops in front pocket to easily hold battery pack and various adapters
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1
comfortable & secure to wear even while skiing or biking
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1
battery pack features a charge indicator
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2
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0
only black as shell color available
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0
no switch for power input between solar panels/AC/car-DC (user has to open the pack and change cables on battery pack)
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Comments (1)
dom:
#voltaic_solar_backpack I'm actually not quite sure if the backpack in its current retail form still has the LED flashlight function on the battery pack. I bought mine in October 2008 and my battery pack is sliver, has a different shape (though same size), and has the power input at a different place. I can't make out the LEDs on the white battery pack that is now sold and which you see in the pictures, but it may be hidden somewhere of course.
Also, my pack didn't include a microUSB charger tip at the time and this has made charging in the front pouch on the shoulder straps almost impossible because of the cable mess with the full-size USB tip and my full-size to microUSB cable which came with my GPS-enabled Symbian smartphone (which uses microUSB for charging). However, I checked back on the Voltaic site this week and the company now sells a microUSB adapter for the backpack separately, for only $4 a piece, which I find very friendly. I instantly ordered two of them.
Jan 7, 10
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