HYmini solar charger video review
The awkwardly named HYmini is a unique little wind and solar powered battery charger that is designed to mount directly to a runners arm, bicycle post, or other tubular moving object... A Rascal perhaps?? Who says the elderly can't be green too...
Unlike the the uber popular Solio, which is based on a similar "portable battery" concept and is limited to solar charging functionality, the HYmini incorporates wind power. This is a great feature for those cloudy Seattle days or for those of you up in Alaska during the darker months. Aside from it's variety of charging options, the HYmini also includes a cornucopia of charging dongles including one for LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and of course the uber popular iPod and iPhone interface. With the base battery+wind unit priced at just $55 and each solar panel being $25 with the option of placing up to three in series, this is a sweet deal! Our order also included a special bike adapter which added another $9 bringing the grand total to $95 which is still lower than a single Solio.
HYmini video review + bike mounting
At such a low price one might wonder if any corners were cut in the design or packaging. We're happy to say that our unit is performing like a champ and what's more impressive, each component was packaged in low impact recycled paper (card board) with lead free ink so there aren't as many gray costs with this product as some other. The solar panel itself is actually designed to permanently remain in the card board package it is displayed in. In some ways this makes it less durable but it's definitely saving materials up front.
We purchased our unit from CurrentEnergy.com out of Dallas Texas and received the iPod adapter free of charge. Customer service explained that due to the popularity of that particular interface it was being provided to all customers for free. Check out their store and tune into their Current Energy Report podcast on iTunes.
Unlike the the uber popular Solio, which is based on a similar "portable battery" concept and is limited to solar charging functionality, the HYmini incorporates wind power. This is a great feature for those cloudy Seattle days or for those of you up in Alaska during the darker months. Aside from it's variety of charging options, the HYmini also includes a cornucopia of charging dongles including one for LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and of course the uber popular iPod and iPhone interface. With the base battery+wind unit priced at just $55 and each solar panel being $25 with the option of placing up to three in series, this is a sweet deal! Our order also included a special bike adapter which added another $9 bringing the grand total to $95 which is still lower than a single Solio.
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HYmini video review + bike mounting
At such a low price one might wonder if any corners were cut in the design or packaging. We're happy to say that our unit is performing like a champ and what's more impressive, each component was packaged in low impact recycled paper (card board) with lead free ink so there aren't as many gray costs with this product as some other. The solar panel itself is actually designed to permanently remain in the card board package it is displayed in. In some ways this makes it less durable but it's definitely saving materials up front.
We purchased our unit from CurrentEnergy.com out of Dallas Texas and received the iPod adapter free of charge. Customer service explained that due to the popularity of that particular interface it was being provided to all customers for free. Check out their store and tune into their Current Energy Report podcast on iTunes.DIY Solar Pool Heater
This morning one of our readers sent us a little do it yourself tip for heating a swimming pool based on what one of her friends is doing. The full comment follows: "Not a question, but a little info: Knowing how hot the water gets in a garden hose, a friend with a swimming pool bought a bunch, I do not know how much, of black garden hose. She spread it out in big curls on top of a nearby flat roofed building. She then fixed up a small recirculating pump, ran the water to the swimming pool to warm...Headlines:
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These personal solar power chargers are such great devices I carry one with me most everywhere I go to keep my cell phone charged. It is simple little changes in our way of life that will continue to keep us energy aware and help us conserve. I wish more people would use these type of energy saving practices. Solar poewr is the future for everyone especially our children.