many tech companies have claimed to provide solar powered gadgets that go beyond the humble pocket calculator but these normally turn out to be a feeble attempt to keep your mobiles battery topped up, but not so the Solio Ipod charger. Instead this 120 x 65 x 34mm 165 gram device can charge a modern device such as a 3 or 4G Ipod from flat in about 2 hours the way it does this is to store the suns energy in its own high capacity internal battery.

Simply take the clamshell like Solio and spread its solar petals out until it resembles a flower the red led indicates when the suns power is sufficient to start the charging process and the Solio's empty internal battery will be full in about  8 - 10 hours. The Solio can also be charged from the mains in about 5 hours which is always a good idea before a trip or planned long Ipod session.

Once away from a socket it's down to the Solio to top up your Ipod, it comes with a dock allowing your 3G or 4G Ipod to sit snugly while the Ipods battery is charged from the Solio, charging times for your device should be about the same as if they were hooked up to the mains supply meaning the Ipods battery life can be doubled while sat on a sunny day.

Now being March sun isn't exactly in abundance and the Solio sat on our office window ledge for a whole day (24hrs) and only managed a 70% charge. The level of charge is indicated by the LED that blinks to show the percentage 1 flash for 25% 2 for 50% and so on. We managed to charge an Ipod in about 4 hours using the Solio (once we'd got it fully charged) which meant some 16 hours of music replay without needing to head for a plug, so its quite possible to run throughout the summer days avoiding the trip back to the hotel or for that matter changing your Ipod for something with a better battery life!

Aligning your Solio correctly can have the biggest impact on charging times and it takes a little practice to get the best angle. One really nice touch is the suction mount which enables the Solio to hang in a window in direct line of the sun. But do be warned the Solio really needs direct strong sunlight so working behind a window or even in partial shade will mean you spend ages getting a full charge.

The Solio Ipod Charger comes with a cradle for the 3/4G Ipod but you can also get a pack from mobile phones and PDA's for £12.99 and £14.99 respectively. We have to admit to being quite impressed with a well built and very stylish gadget and for once its solar technology that really works. Not sure that we'd use it enough to warrant spending the £59.99 for the Ipod pack but for those who spend a long time away from base / power this is one cool and yet functional piece of kit.

Published - 06/03/2007

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