Solar power backpacks are simply high quality backpacks, usually made of 1,680 Denier nylon, with small solar panels attached to them. A new technology called thin film solar panels are used to generate power from the sun while keeping the weight to about 3.5 pounds for the whole backpack. There are currently two main manufacturers of solar powered backpacks, Voltaic Systems and Eclipse Solar Gear. Both of their backpacks have similar features; one is a little less expensive while the other generates more power.
Both backpacks are designed to charge hand held electronics such as cell phones, PDA’s, GPSs, and digital cameras. They are not designed to charge laptop computers. Laptops usually draw more current than the backpacks can generate so eventually the battery pack would be totally depleted. Portable hand held electronics do not draw that much power so the backup battery remains charged up.
A 4,400 mAh, 3.6 volt lithium ion battery is included along with a generous assortment of adapters to fit just about any personal electronics you may have. You can charge the backup battery three different ways, by the thin film solar panels, with an AC adapter or with a DC cigarette lighter adapter, all three are included. Both backpacks have a generous 1.850 cubic inches of storage and many pockets for storing MP3 players, cell phones and water bottles. The Voltaic backpack can even handle a 3 liter water bladder with tubing threaded through the bags wire channels for hands free sipping.
Solar powered pack packs can be used by just about any one but they are especially useful to hikers, campers and hunters. How many stories have been written about people hiking into the wilderness getting lost? Some were saved by a cell phone call while others had their cell phone or GPS run out of power when they need them most. These back packs are great those who depend on sma
