Get off the grid with true solar charger for cellphone

I've seen a lot of so called emergency chargers for cellphones and have yet to be impressed. But then I got the Rayport solar powered universal charger and battery backup contraption from an outfit known as Rayvolution. This one, I'll actually carry around in my bag.

This one works with 3G phones, including the iPhone, as well as most BlackBerrys, Palm, LG, HTC, Samsung, Nokia and other mobile phones. A lot of the backup universal chargers out there haven't had the circuitry and battery capabilities to handle the power hungry 3G units. This one does. Besides phones, the package includes enough plugs and adapters to also provide charging power for BlueTooth earbuds, iPods, the Nintendo DS and a slew of other handheld gizmos.

Some of the many tips and adapters included with the $39 Rayport Universal Solar Charger

Like most of these chargers, you can plug it into a wall or your computer. Then, when you need to charge your mobile device, plug it into the charger. But where this unit excels is that to charge it, you can also just put it in the sunshine. You can use the provided suction cups to attach it to an office or car window and expose the Rayport's solar panel to the sunshine. There's a button you press on the top of the Rayport and it displays a light that shows you how charged it is.

When I tried it out, it took a tad over five hours to get the Rayport charged up but then it easily had enough juice to completely charge my iPhone, which took another three.

Obviously, you'd let the sun charge the Rayport all day and then, at night while you're sleeping, plug it in to charge the cell phone. Or just keep it charged all the time so, whenever you need it, you've got extra power. And yes, you can use your phone while the Rayport is charging it.

Other solar chargers require you to reboot the charging unit by using AC power. The Rayport starts charging itself again as soon as you put it back in the sunshine.

Cost is $39. Doran Roberts, one of the owners, says each unit is good for about 500 charges. Hesays he hopes to get it placed in various retailers and wireless phone stores. But it's only been out a month. You can learn more about it at www.rayvolution.com

What a great tool for campers, hikers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts.