Reddit reviews PowerFilm USB+AA Solar Charger
We found 11 Reddit comments about PowerFilm USB+AA Solar Charger. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Folds up compactly to fit into a pocketCharges 2 AA rechargeable batteriesCharges most USB devicesLightweight portable powerIncludes 2 AA rechargeable NIMH batteries
Definitely check out couchsurfing.org and create a profile and try to connect with some folks. I'm sure you could spend 2 nights one place, 2 nights another, or maybe even all week in one place.
Otherwise, you could also stay at the Minneapolis International Hostel which has some pretty low rates.
Uptown would be a good place to stay, I think and you could take a bus into town for some stuff. There are free publications all over downtown that have different events and shit going on.
Check out the MetroTransit Fare Page for getting a week pass for both the light rail / Northstar line / and busses. Not that you'd need to take the Northstar line anywhere...
There is a KOA campground in Maple Grove, Minnesota and according to this Google Maps transit information, it would be a 2.5 mile walk/drive to get to this place from the closest bus stop.
Where are you coming from? You could take the Amtrak into town with your bike, bus out to the campsite... set up shop with said bike. Bike to the bus stop, and most (probably all) buses have bike racks on them... take the 38 minute bus ride into town in the morning, bike around town all day... come back, bike to campsite, relax.
Or rent a bike when in town, and then just walk 2.5 miles to that campsite.
I'd suggest getting a solar charger like this one
if you plan on staying there, so that you can charge your phone in the morning, during the day, etc and will always have a GPS thing. There are so many handy apps to have for navigating around the area, finding current arts and shows information, connecting with people, etc!
Heck, maybe even make a Craigslist post stating you are looking for a place to stay for a week, or respond to some sublet ads! I'm sure there are some people with an empty room who would gladly take $100 or something so long as you give significant background information!
Lastly, here is a link to a USA Today Article about what to do in Minneapolis in terms of camping and here is another, similar USA Today Article
I've got one as well -- Solar + 2AA batteries + usb. With a full charge on the AA batteries, it gives me about 55% charge on my iphone, however.
EDIT: I have this one, here:
http://www.amazon.com/PowerFilm-USB-AA-Solar-Charger/dp/B001RMBHMK/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1346784782&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=powerfilm
http://www.amazon.com/PowerFilm-USB-AA-Solar-Charger/dp/B001RMBHMK/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4
Backpacks in the picture were $315.65 and now are $157.82 . The price is still a bit steep on an item like this. It would be cheaper to buy a backpack and a foldable solar panel to hang on the back (like this) than it would be to do this. I'm sure this is someone's dream though.
http://www.amazon.com/PowerFilm-USB-AA-Solar-Charger/dp/B001RMBHMK
>1 Amp @ 2.2 hours
That's still over twice the capacity that this thing boasts. I'm curious of the price... compared to my 11k mAhr battery for 30$, I don't see how it could possibly bring anything to the table.
If you are in that kind of emergency where it would make a difference, and you have access to the inside of a building window for 8 hours... I can't see how you couldn't find an outlet. Its like its solving a nonexistent problem.
Only real use I can figure is stuck in the middle of a forest with no cell battery but just happen to be close to a cell tower. But then, no window... so whats the point. It can be done much so better with a rolled up flexible panel.
Like one of these doodads http://www.amazon.com/PowerFilm-USB-AA-Solar-Charger/dp/B001RMBHMK
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>The whole... 220V AC is freaking hilarious
Indeed, I facepalmed on that.
I'd recommend you take something like this if you don't have one already.
Then some sort of tablet or smart phone.
This way when you're out on the river and find something that's potentially edible, you can snap some pics, upload and get an ID.
This way you can just pack in essential lightweight basics such as rice, beans, pasta, dehydrated eggs, and so on.
Then forage/wild harvest/fish to fill in the gaps.
There's this thing too. It's a fancy little rocket stove. You could build one out of tin cans for free but this one works a little better, it has a built in fan to make it burn better and a TEG(thermo electric generator) that converts some of the heat into electricity that powers a USB plug that you can use to run a small USB light at about 1 watt. Not super bright big good enough to camp with. Or you can charge/power a device.
The rocket stoves are nice. You can cook a whole meal with a handful of twigs.
You very well may know all this stuff, but just in case.. :-D
I have this one and like it. Still only 500mah output but also charges AA's.The AA's then charge the device. It is small and light. When there is no light or your rechargeables are dead, you can put disposable batteries.
http://www.amazon.com/PowerFilm-USB-AA-Solar-Charger/dp/B001RMBHMK/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1374261741&sr=1-1&keywords=solar+aa+charger
They also make decent solar chargers for AA batteries.
Not in stock, but you might be able to find it elsewhere:
http://www.amazon.com/USB-AA-Solar-Panel-Charger/dp/B001RMBHMK/ref=sr_1_1
Why not forget the indoors restriction of using a USB charger and simply go solar? AA solar chargers are not very expensive...currently amazon does not have the example I'm going to post but a little googling could probably find similar other products.
http://www.amazon.com/USB-AA-Solar-Panel-Charger/dp/B001RMBHMK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1VOUFSIGRIGBC&s=generic&qid=1261596408&sr=1-1
I bought a Powerfilm USB+AA charger some time back but have never integrated it into my kit. It's always been easier to simply plan ahead and pack extra batteries. Anyway, the Powerfilm gadget does work fairly well at recharging a pair of Eneloops, and it can also be used to recharge a USB device. I now notice that they've come up with a larger AA charger that supposedly recharges a pair of AA batteries in 3 1/3 hours, but it weighs 8oz.
Great write up by the way, very informative. I'll have to order one of these lights and possibly the Liponano suggested by /u/atetuna.
/edit-just weighed my USB+AA charger, with a pair of AA Eneloops it comes in at 179 grams. There's a lot of room for modification since it has an extra flap of cloth, plastic cover, etc that could be removed.