tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274165436127699750.post1594916849944029693..comments2023-08-08T13:43:28.031+01:00Comments on Ultra-lightweight hiking and backpacking: Freeloader Pico solar chargerLitehikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03138956571978400444noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274165436127699750.post-53335541660485620232011-11-04T09:39:27.005+00:002011-11-04T09:39:27.005+00:00I'm planning a months long backpacking/camping...I'm planning a months long backpacking/camping trip and am hoping to be able to retain the use of my cell for music and on the off chance that I can find signal to make a call, send a text, etc. In that sense, something like this is amazingAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09550643007450523223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274165436127699750.post-72496985067829323182010-09-26T16:28:24.766+01:002010-09-26T16:28:24.766+01:00The bit about saving the planet was in the article...The bit about saving the planet was in the article/review I'd set out in the posting. I probably agree with you. I only bought the charger as a hopefully convenient way of giving a boost to my phone or mp3. As far as the phone is concerned, I agree that a spare battery is probably a better option, certainly for shortish trips.Litehikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03138956571978400444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274165436127699750.post-79751094117048997972010-09-25T20:23:22.660+01:002010-09-25T20:23:22.660+01:00I'm afraid I can't agree with your stateme...I'm afraid I can't agree with your statement that these gadgets help save the planet. Quite the contrary, they are anything but green. <br /><br />Solar panels of the type typically installed in a home barely make ecological sense. And only then when in place for decades, and in climates that get adequate sunlight. Solar panels are very energy and resource intensive, and they only payoff in terms of surplus energy after a rather long time. Handheld gadgets of the variety you review above almost certainly will not be around long enough to pay their ecological debt. These things tend to end up in landfills after a year or three.<br /><br />I think a better ecological solution in this case would likely be second battery. Batteries are bad news too (ecologically speaking), but you'll probably eventually need one anyway. That is, if you take care of your phone and only replace it when it dies. We all need to consider rejecting the ridiculous levels of planned obsolescence in the electronics field these days.<br /><br />I recommend the article below for more on all this. <br /><br />http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2008/03/the-ugly-side-o.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274165436127699750.post-32830750955810391202010-08-31T19:38:40.267+01:002010-08-31T19:38:40.267+01:00I have been trying to charge mine for some time no...I have been trying to charge mine for some time now with no success. Even took it to the south of France and left it in the sun for two days. It only charged enough to dump 5 mins into my phone and raised it's charge by 2%.<br /><br />No good as far as I can see.<br /><br />Have you gotten any better results?Robert Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06781037358944054699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274165436127699750.post-85186784585173075412010-07-10T22:01:24.498+01:002010-07-10T22:01:24.498+01:00Actually, the button is mentioned in the manual: i...Actually, the button is mentioned in the manual: if the Pico is drained completely you can press and hold this button for 3 seconds, after which charging via the solar panel will speed up. <br /><br />At least, that's what the manual says I have no idea what the button actually does, or why you would have to press it to charge your phone.<br /><br />So far my Pico has been working fine without me every touching that button.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274165436127699750.post-90058443419707506972010-07-05T16:37:37.541+01:002010-07-05T16:37:37.541+01:00I've just bought one - after charging it up, t...I've just bought one - after charging it up, there's a little white button on the bottom of the unit (which comes without any instructions). If I press the button on the bottom of the Freeloader, my phone says "charging". However, as soon as I take my finger off the white button, it stops charging. Do I really have to sit for half an hour trying to hold a tiny white button down to charge anything, or am I missing something obvious?Chris Mitchellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274165436127699750.post-41075798020722610982010-04-01T18:20:40.678+01:002010-04-01T18:20:40.678+01:00It is a good bit of kit. Ultralight Outdoors sent...It is a good bit of kit. Ultralight Outdoors sent mine a few days back and I have ben giving it a trial. I like the fact it is light and yet it charges my phone and Ipod. I got a protective case with it. That way it is easy to attach to my rucksack to charge while walking. Hope it pays of on the Challenge for you.Martin Ryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719332121719827761noreply@blogger.com