Cool Gadgets: Mobile Power Generator Bags

Greetings and Salutations,

You’re at the airport and you’re mobile battery is about to die, or worse, your iPod! What do you do?

Well, luckily for you, you’ve spent the entire day walking in that unexpected sunshine, and have fully charged the Li Ion battery inside the Voltaic Solar backpack.

The what now?
Voltaic have come up with a range of solar bags, each designed to provide the owner with a mobile power generator that is designed to charge your devices without tying you to a power outlet.

They have an integrated set of panels along the back pocket of the bags that generate up to 4 watts of power. Now that’s enough to charge most portable devices (other than laptops). So, a typical cell phone will take 4-6 hours to charge in direct sunlight. (Check out their charging time approximations).

The panels are apparently built on a strong, but light weight, aluminum plastic composite, which are said to withstand the rigors of outdoor use and allows them to articulate, so the bags don’t feel stiff.

So, it’s all wasted if something isn’t plugged in?

On the contrary, with the optional battery pack (which clips inside the back pocket of the solar bags) it allows the bag to function as a mobile power reservoir, not just a solar charger, with the battery pack containing a 2,200mAh Li Ion battery to store all that sunny goodness.

It goes without saying that they have a variety of adaptors and accessories available for your picking.

A very geeky gadget, to be sure, and although comparable in price to some of the high-end airline luggage prices, a bit hard to swallow at $US 229. I’d love to see these come down in price with popularity. Although it could be a nice gift for Sys Admin Appreciation Day.

TTFN!