# Recommendations for portable solar chargers for small devices

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-portable-solar-chargers-for-small-devices/677959>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 5, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-portable-solar-chargers-for-small-devices/677959 "2014-01-05T19:07:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-portable-solar-chargers-for-small-devices/677959/1 "2014-01-05T19:07:51Z")

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I’m looking for recommendations for portable solar chargers.

[ul]  
[li]Under 10 oz.[/li][li]Not a weird shape (like my current, under-powered, weirdly-rounded [Solio](http://www.amazon.com/Solio-Emergency-Hybrid-Solar-Charger/dp/B0020LN3KQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_26), a fine iPod charger but not much else). Rectangular. [/li][li]Can be charged and used as a battery (unlike some products that function as a solar-to-device pass-through power source, but can’t store a charge).[/li][li]Has both the capacity to charge and tips/adapters to accommodate an iPod, Android phone, Galaxy tablet, folding Bluetooth keyboard. I can use some additional cords or a coupling component, but I’d rather not because they get misplaced or make looser connections. [/li][li]Quick charge time is a plus.[/li][/ul]  
The goal is to expand my capacity to charge from a source other than the wall, so I won’t need to plug sensitive electronics into a fluctuating/dubious power supply while traveling. I often charge my netbook, unplug it, then charge the smaller devices from it by USB, but even though a netbook is pretty light, it’s not as light as using my phone or a tablet for checking email or blogging, and it doesn’t fit in my preferred travel shoulder bag. Plus, I’d rather not blow out my netbook.

I’m looking at [this](http://www.amazon.com/Poweradd-trade-Apollo2-Dual-Port-Blackberry/dp/B00FXWGRHU/ref=pd_ybh_3) [kind](http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-BP-SC6000-Capacity-Charging-EcoPanel/dp/B00CHQI57A/ref=pd_ybh_7) of [thing](http://www.amazon.com/Poweradd-trade-Apollo-Blackberry-Paperwhite/dp/B00DLUYSPO/ref=pd_sim_cps_4), I think.

Your thoughts, suggestions, caveats? I could also use a plug converter with a 110/250V surge strip, but I’d just as soon keep away from wall power when possible.