Eco Tech Ninja » Chargers

CSQUID Standby Charger and Datasync Cable

Sarah — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:53:30 +0000

The CSQUID is a charger which can juice up your portable devices even when the PC is in STANDBY, so there is no need to wake your PC just to charge your device. Standard USB cables supplied by the portable device manufacturers require the PC to be turned ON before charging. This saves about 180KG of carbon which is equal to driving for 2 weeks per year.

And good news for Apple iPAD users, the CSQUID is the only cable on the market to allow users to charge the iPad from any PC or Apple laptop. The standard Apple cable included with the iPad can only charge from a new Apple computer USB port. So anyone with an iPad MUST have one of these to charge from any PC or go buy a new Apple PC! You can read more about it at

http://www.macworld.com/article/150356/2010/04/ipadcharging.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4060
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2389489

The CQuid boasts multiple connectors which allows it to work with AppleTM products (e.g. iPad, iPod, iPhone), as well as next-generation micro-USB connectors (e.g. BlackberryTM Bold II) and current generation mini-USB connectors (e.g. BlackberryTM Bold I, digital cameras, GPS). The fact that in addition to charging it also does data means that it is truly universal and can be used to download camera pics and backup data on USB hard drives.

No need to install software like iTUNES or blackberry software on PC just to charge - some devices require to software to be installed before charging is initiated. You can charge at work or home on any PC without fear of erasing data.

Want one? We thought so. Check out the agreenC company website.

Voltaic Solar Charger Backpack Review

Sarah — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:50:27 +0000

This almost seems to good to be true, but I’ve heard from a few techie friends that this brand of solar charging bags and luggage is the real deal. This solar-juiced backpack is fitted with waterproof solar panels which use mono cristalline cells to charge all your business. It generates about 4 watts, which is a fair amount.

All of their bags come with a removable battery pack which stores any surplus power generated, so you have power whenever, not just under the blazing hot sun. The battery can also be charged using the USB cable and the optional AC travel or car charger. I also like that the shell of the bag uses 600D fabric made from recycled PET (soda bottles), a very cool recycled material which is strong and light weight.

Do you have one of these bad boys? Have some thoughts on it you’d like to share with people considering buying one of these? Write a quick review of the Voltaic Solar Charger Backpack in the comments below!

AT&T’s Eco-Friendly Zero Charger

Sarah — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:43:35 +0000

The advanced, efficient and energy-saving AT&T Zero Charger apparently outperforms other chargers by automatically completely powering down when not being used. “Vampire draw” is 100% gone from the power equation. What is “vampire draw?” Conventional chargers left plugged in – even when not actively charging – can vampire draw as much as 5x to 20x more energy than stored in the battery.
The ZERO will stop pulling power and eliminate power waste but you don’t have to do anything - the charger does everything on its own.

An as an added bonus, USB compatibility makes the Zero Charger a convenient charging station for many mobile devices. The ZERO charger will be available in May 2010.

[

Solar Vest Makes All Your Gadgets Green

Ninja Robot — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:02:21 +0000

If you’re planning on wearing a safari vest, why not got the distance and get the Solar Vest from Chinavision. No, wer’re not selling it, but we have to admit, this thing is very cool.

The Solar Vest features a set of four built in solar panels sewn into the back which recharge a battery pack stored in the left pocket. This battery is then capable of recharging other devices using outputs of 5V, 6V, 9V or 12-20V. This will allow to recharge everything from an iPhone to a laptop computer.

So when you’re in the sun, you’ve got power for pretty much anything when you’re wearing the Solar Vest. Environmentally friendly and cheaper than we expected at $126.

CSQUID Eco-Friendly Universal Charger

Sarah — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:27:04 +0000

There are a few notable issues with generic USB chargers. The computer needs to be on to charge, you need different chargers for various devices and you may need software on the computer to start charging.

With the CSQUID, there is CHARGE mode to allow you to charge even when the PC is in standby and also does not need software installed when the PC is on. A single cable with APPLE, MINIB and a MINI-to-MICRO adapter will charge almost all your devices. It also has a SYNC mode that allows you to transfer data without using another cable.

The CSQUID continues to charge the portable device through the computer even if the computer goes to standby thereby reducing the drain on the earths resources. In addition to standby charging, it can also charge when the PC is on and do data transfer. A single cable replaces several existing datasync/charge cables for Apple and Micro-USB devices. It does not need pre-installed synchronization software just to charge through USB.

Freeloader Pico Solar Powered Charger

Sarah — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:34:08 +0000

The Pico by Freeloader is a portable solar powered charger designed to charge mobile phones, iPods, GPS systems, and most other portable electronic devices. The Pico has advanced solar panel and battery technology to help provide a quick charging time for the devices internal battery and a quick time for it to deliver the power to the portable electronic device connected to it.

The solar panel is comprised of 75mA crystalline solar cells which charge the 800mAh Li-ion battery within the device. The battery takes about ten hours to charge to full when its empty, and it can charge in all daylight conditions. The Pico comes with a USB cable if you want to charge it from a USB port. It takes only 3 hours to fully charge the device from empty by USB.

Apple-Certified Solar iPod Charger

Sarah — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:46:30 +0000

The very first Apple-certified iPod chargers will available very soon from the company Novothink. Their Surge charger is a hard case compatible with the latest generation of iPod and iPod Touch. A version for the iPhone 3G and 3GS will be available by the end of the year.

The case is fitted with solar panels on the back and has openings for headphones, USB cable and all external controls like a standard iPod case. The energy harnessed from solar rays are stored in a lithium-ion battery that holds 120 percent of the iPod Touch’s internal battery capacity. While in use, the charger provides a constant charge to the iPod. Four LED lights let you know how much battery power is left.

nPower PEG - Personal Energy Generator

Sarah — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:58:37 +0000

Tremont Electric has created a kinetic energy-based charger called the nPower PEG, otherwise known as a Personal Energy Generator. The PEG can charge a portable device up to 80% with an hour’s worth of movement. You don’t need to attach the PEG to yourself to gather the kinetic energy. It can be placed in your backpack or attached to your bike and it will harness the same energy. You can even use it while using the subway or bus.

The device weighs 9 ounces and is 9 inches long by 1.5 inches in diameter. To use it, you simply plug your phone, MP3 player or other device directly into the PEG via USB cable and start moving.