FASHION BRAIN • Technology

t has been claimed this election season that our nation is infatuated with a variety of things from civil rights to freedom. Bah! If we are honest, we will admit we are infatuated with gadgets.

Forget the rising price of gasoline, our biggest weakness as a nation is we are fools for gadgets. If it peels an onion 56 different ways, we have to own it. Don't believe me? Ask yourself one question.

When you go to a fair, how many gadgets do you end up bringing home? Be honest. There is no shame in it. In fact, I believe there is an argument to be made that a particular subject matter, whatever it is, isn't mainstream until it includes gadgets. If this is true, solar energy may finally be a real alternative. Most of us have far too many gadgets, particularly small personal gadgets.

Cell phones, ipods, pdas, Bluetooth, I have them all. I find it somewhat ironic that all these small gadgets that are to make my life easier make me look like Sherpa walking around. Regardless, the digital age has one problem and you already know what it is. Gadgets require power and they always run down when you need them most. This, of course, results in you walking around with a power converter in your hand looking for a convenient outlet of some sort. Instead of looking like a junkie trying to find a fix, you can use a very useful new gadget.

Solar power packs are the latest and greatest thing when it comes to gadgets. Yes, I said solar. The packs come in a variety of forms, but they tend to look like the black folders for your compact discs. The packs are thin and light. When you are outside, you just unzip them, lay them in the sun and plug your power hungry gadget into them. The packs will put a charge into your gadget and you'll be ready to go.

COLEMAN EXPONENT 5W FOLDING PANEL

This fantastic gadget is a 5W (300mAmp) folding Solar charger which is extremely durable and compact. Opening out to expose 4 Solar panels and the junction box/power wire, this portable power source can power nearly all small electronics such as GPS, satellite phones, mp3 players, portable games and mobile phones.

It can also charge rechargeable lights/lanterns and trickle charge 12V batteries.It's very durable with impact/ UV resistant materials and of course is waterproof. It comes with a 1 foot 12v cigarette lighter socket and an 8 foot extension wire. All that is needed is the cigarette lighter adaptor (CLA) of the electronic device(s) you wish to charge. We recommend you get a universal one with interchangeable tips which will power 90 % of phones, camera's etc.

Global Solar™ Portable Power Packs

The P3 is a solar-energised power generator for mobile power needs. Incorporating solid state, thin-film, PowerFLEX solar technology, it provides silent energy independence to the user as an alternate power generator for charging lead-acid, Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries.

A primary battery can only be used once. Secondary batteries can be recharged several hundred times. Recent studies show that a P3 solar charger pays for itself in fewer than fifteen recharges. That is equivalent to several hundred FREE BATTERIES!

Finally, solar power we can use on a personal level. I guess it is here to stay.

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