Making my 505 trail proof?

[DrMoze]

I picked up a Powermonkey with solar charger, which has attach points for a backpack. Comes with a PSP tip too, much better/safer than usb charging, which has been known to drain Readers sometimes.

[CBEAR]

They have adapters...but the adapters only match plugs.

[astra]

Originally Posted by JanetCinNC

Yes, my husband carries his 505 in the original brown cover in his eCaddy.

Oh, thanks. silly me, you have said it before.

I found two sellers on ebay. Sent them emails but so far zero replies. and shipping price is atrocious $30

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by Patchfoot

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm looking into them. The Medge thing looks interesting but it doesn't look very crush resistant. Maybe I could slip some hard plastic into the outside cover.

That solar device worked out for you? I got some buddies doing a thru hike on the AT right now and they tried one of those solar things (dunno which brand) and literally all it did was drain their cell phone battery. They sent it home and have been charging it in town while they do laundry and such. I've been using my 505 for only reading over the last few weeks and I'm still way over 50% charge so I figured it wouldn't be too bad charging it when needed (I got a USB to DC charger).

I've heard mixed results as well with the various manufacturers. I have this model: http://store.solio.com/s.nl/it.A/id.257/.f and it worked very well for me. A friend of mine has used it on multiple hikes as well with good success. One of the nice things about this one is that it has an internal battery that the solar cells charge. That battery is then used to charge your device. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a satisfied customer.

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by CBEAR

Don't the solio chargers have an output voltage of 12 Volts, and therefore won't they hurt the reader?

They have different cables/tips for the various devices.

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

I've heard mixed results as well with the various manufacturers. I have this model: http://store.solio.com/s.nl/it.A/id.257/.f and it worked very well for me. A friend of mine has used it on multiple hikes as well with good success. One of the nice things about this one is that it has an internal battery that the solar cells charge. That battery is then used to charge your device. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a satisfied customer.

I'd go with the Powermonkey over the Solio, which is quite pricey and has weaker specs. For maybe $20 more (although mine cost $30 after rebate), the PM has a nice, thin, foldable solar charger with higher output (200mA at 5V vs. 155 mA at 6V for the Solio). The PM battery unit (which is nicely designed in a water-resistant housing with lcd display) is separate and optional for use, and has 2200 mAh capacity (vs. 1600 mAh for the Solio). Plus, the PM comes with a few more tips (including a PSP tip!), *and* a universal wall charger with 4-5 wall plugs for US/Europe/GB/etc. You can use the solar, battery, or charger to recharge devices directly, and the charger or solar (or usb cable) to recharge the battery as well.

[Patchfoot]

That powermonkey looks pretty cool. I doubt I'd need it for my 505, but it'd be great for cell phones or mp3 players. Does it also work as an ac adapter? (ie, with proper tips could I use it to charge different devices like the 505 or my cell phone from a wall socket without draining the monkey?)