Scosche solBAT II gives iPhones, more a solar backup
updated 12:20 pm EST, Wed February 3, 2010
Scosche puts out second-gen solar charger
Accessory maker Scosche today put out the solBAT II as its second wave of solar-powered external batteries. The pack gives iPhones, iPods and most handheld USB devices a 1,500mAh lithium-ion pack whose sun recharging lets it provide "free" energy to keep a device going. A single charge is estimated to be enough to power a typical cellphone twice over, though it's not known how efficiently it works for smartphones; Scosche says the add-on behaves like a maximum 5V wall adapter.
The peripheral can recharge directly through its USB port in a rush and has mounts for both a backpack's carabineer or a car windshield to keep the battery exposed to sunlight without it falling out of place. Stores should have the solBAT II today and will usually sell it for $30.
bad ad...
02/03, 01:04pm reply
I probably would've shown the iPhone being charged on a camping trip or while riding a bicycle... not while in a car, where easy access to a car charger is almost a certainty.
chelsel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
'shopped
02/03, 02:28pm reply
The cable in that car photo actually looks like it was photoshopped in - the plug's at a really weird angle compared to the other photo. It was probably just a shot of the device sitting in the window cradle, but someone thought they'd want to show it "in use". They have another photo on their site showing it clipped to a backpack, which would make as much sense as leaving it in a car window.
I like the idea of this, and the price is a lot better than some solar chargers I've seen before that didn't even have batteries. I'll have to keep this in mind should the need for such a device ever arise.
Zaren
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Can't wait for user reviews
02/03, 02:54pm reply
So many chargers (especially solar chargers) just plain don't work for iPhones and Blackberrys. Hope this one does.
ff11
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2004
Photoshopped
02/03, 04:12pm reply
The iphone screen is photoshopped too, it looks out of place. I just wonder how long it takes to charge the battery thru solar charge. I have seen other solar chargers that takes forever to charge a device leave alone the solar battery itself.
facebook_Pete
Via Facebook
Joined: Feb 2010
great charger
02/03, 04:31pm reply
i understand some of your questions. i received the solbatII last week and love it!
check out this video review: http://www.myntgreen.com/home/2010/1/28/video-review-of-the-scosche-solbat-ii.html
sirpaulstarling
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2010
5 DAY recharge time
02/07, 06:12pm reply
Read their own instruction sheet - a recharge via the solar panel takes FIVE DAYS!
facebook_E. Karsten
Via Facebook
Joined: Feb 2010