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1. Did I dream of their existance?
2. If they do exist outside of my Lovecraft-esqe dream mind, are they any good?
3. Where does one procure one of the beasties?

Thank you.

I have never had the pleasure but twas not a dream.

voila

they do exist - there were a stack of them in our local garage a few weeks ago - wind-up torch and 'phone charger, for under a tenner!
Having had a wind-up torch handle come off in my hand at the BGG, I do doubt their long-term abilities - but fine for occasional use!

what make was the one that fell apart Martin?

We have recently got a freeplay lantern and cashed in some loyalty card points for a freeplay windup and solar power radio, they both seem really sturdy to me... was it a cheapo make?

typical unbranded one - local garage job - very much at the cheap end!

there is another way.........
If there is a car in the family that has a "cigar lighter" socket you can get "car chargers" for most mobile 'phones, so you can charge while you drive!
I know one chap who plugs in a small inverter, then runs several mains chargers while he's in transit - when he gets home, all his rechargeables are full!

CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology) do them - I can't get the website up at the moment, but you can Google it.

Jane

QuakerBear wrote:1. Did I dream of their existance?
2. If they do exist outside of my Lovecraft-esqe dream mind, are they any good?
3. Where does one procure one of the beasties?

Thank you.

1. No you didn't dream, I have one.

2. They do work providing you have the right connection for your model of phone. You will soon get RSI if you rely on it. I keep mine in the car just in case my phone runs out in an emergency (I don't have a car charger for my phone. Anyway that just uses petrol).

3. No idea, sorry. Someone gave me mine as a present.

Cheers
Zoe

I've got one - bought it from B&Q a few years ago.. it came with a bunch of adapters. its not really that great for everyday use, as you have to wind alot for a small amount of charge (better to look at one of those solar powered ones for that I guess) - but my wind up charger is very small, and is great for festivals.. during a boring bit you can sit on your blankie.. winding, and get enough charge to call home, send a text... etc...

Oooo! You can get solar powered ones? Where does I get one, I mean, do I get one.

I found one in the walking shop and like others have said here it took allot of winding for a little charge. It made me realise just how much energy comes out of the socket in the wall. Just think how much winding with a little handle it would take to power a house.

hereis one from firebox. I have no personal experience of them tho.

they sell them in ethel austin for under a tenner and they work

I used a Sidewinder: http://www.solarhome.org/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=601

But, it takes a lot of cranking to get even 5 minutes worth of talking. Fine for emergencies, but not for regular use.

One gadget I haven't tried, but would like to, is the Solio Charger: http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail. ... 2251004&c=

It folds down to about the size of a deck of cards.

-Ellendra

QuakerBear wrote:Oooo! You can get solar powered ones? Where does I get one, I mean, do I get one.

I bought DH a solar powered multi charger for Christmas from Oxfam (new) It was a bit pricey but will charge his ipod and the kids' newly acquired DS's too. Oh, and if it's not sunny it can be plugged into the usb to charge too.