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Solar-powered bags

FSB asked me to test these small pieces of luggage, which have external solar panels that can charge small devices such as PDAs and cellphones. (None generated enough juice to charge a laptop.) For each, I ran my T-Mobile Dash cellphone until the battery died, then timed a full solar charge outside.

Juice bag 1.0, $175
REWARE
Juice bag 1.0, $175
This solar backpack comes in green, gray, red, and camouflage. The soft solar panel is mounted in a flap that folds over the entire pack. I liked this bag's clean, functional design: The charging pocket is located on top of the pack, separate from the main compartment, so you don't have to worry about the bag's contents damaging your equipment. In direct sunshine a full charge took slightly less than three hours.

I liked the Juice Bag's smart design and fast-ish recharging. But for all three backpacks, unless you have to work for days in remote (and very sunny) spots, you're better off just taking extra batteries.

rewarestore.com

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