Solio Solar Charger

Not much tops sitting in a wood fired sauna next to a lake in the deep woods…  Unless maybe you have some special beverages and a fully charged Ipod bringing the sounds of Al Green, Ray Charles, or a marathon of funk.  But what do you do when the charge runs out?  My first choice would be to go into the lake for a swim but I can also understand the allure of portable energy to keep the IPod and the party moving.  That is where the Solio comes in.

Solio makes portable solar chargers for the purpose of powering small gadgets.  The solio solar chargers have internal batteries that allow for charging now and transferring power later.  The chargers are relatively compact and come in three versions – Classic, Magnesium, and Hybrid. The batteries can be charged by the sun or via a wall socket.

The Classic and Magnesium are similar. Both are compact and open like a fan so that there is more surface area for charging. The Hybrid is a solar strip with a clip. One of the benefits of the Hybrid is that you can pull a charge from the sun, an outlet (using an adapter), and also a USB port. See the different models at www.solio.com

Why you won’t use it:

• You may find you are using the wall socket more than you would hope. One of the issues with the Solio is that you really need direct and extended sunlight to get a full charge.
• Solio chargers are water resistant but not waterproof. You may want to leave your Solio outside and unattended while waiting for it to charge but beware of an unexpected storm giving it a soaking
• Most windows absorb light that will delay the Solio charging process.
• While adaptors are available for most products, you need to make sure you have the right adapter to transfer power to your gadget. This is one more thing to lose and there will be an extra charge if your adaptor is not included in the standard package.

Why you will love it:

• If you own an I-Phone or similar product where switching batteries is not an option, Solio products allow you a portable lifeline.
• Even a little power from the sun will allow for some quick calls.
• The Solios have nice designs and are relatively sturdy. They also fold to store and expand to charge as a space saving feature.

Bottom Line:

There will be some people who will love the Solio but I see it sitting on a shelf, unused, after a year. I hate carrying extra items and I am not going to leave my standard wires and chargers behind just to go with the Solio.

The slow solar charging times and need to track charging adaptors do not outweigh the wow factor. The best place to keep your Solio might be the back of your car or a place where it will slowly get a charge from intermittent sunlight. It might give you a boost when you need it.

Mum’s Quick Take:

Why the heck do you need a solar charger for gadgets? We are too dependent on all our electronic tools and we carry them everywhere with us. We need to notice our surroundings not what is on the electric tube or whatever.

Some random reading

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• Second headline test
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Pure Fiber bamboo towel

Enjoy the sensual softness of Bamboo.

Discover the Pure Fiber’s sumptuously plush and durable bath linens. Our bath linens are made of 100% bamboo yarn to give you the softness and silkiness of cashmere, yet the absorbency that surpasses cotton. Pure Fiber’s Bamboo Towels are the perfect finishing touch to a warm comforting bath. So go ahead, indulge yourself in these natural luxury because not only are they good for your body and soul, but also our environment. These bamboo Towels are naturally hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial and odor resistant which makes it ideal for hygienic environment. So go easy on the cotton.

Discover the Pure Fiber’s sumptuously plush and durable bath linens. Our bath linens are made of 100% bamboo yarn to give you the softness and silkiness of cashmere, yet the absorbency that surpasses cotton. Pure Fiber’s Bamboo Towels are the perfect finishing touch to a warm comforting bath. So go ahead, indulge yourself in these natural luxury because not only are they good for your body and soul, but also our environment. These bamboo Towels are naturally hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial and odor resistant which makes it ideal for hygienic environment. So go easy on the cotton.

Some random reading

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• Apricus Solar Thermal Collector Water Heater
• Baby Avalon Infant Skin Care

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Eco-DenT Replaceable Head Toothbrush

The Terradent by Eco-DenT lets you keep your handle forever, it’s only the bristles you replace when they are worn out, not the whole toothbrush. Like, when did you last wear out a toothbrush handle, huh? And because of how the bristles are affixed to the head, it has been rated as the most hygienic in independent European tests of many toothbrushes.

Eco-DenT products are available at most major natural products stores and online retailers. If you shop at a store that does not carry the item you are seeking, please ask them to carry it as it is available from their distributors in most cases.

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Solar water heaters—also called solar domestic hot water systems—can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use—sunshine—is free.

Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which don’t.

Most solar water heaters require a well-insulated storage tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and inlet connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the solar water heater preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater. In one-tank systems, the back-up heater is combined with the solar storage in one tank.

Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days and times of increased demand. Conventional storage water heaters usually provide backup and may already be part of the solar system package. A backup system may also be part of the solar collector, such as rooftop tanks with thermosyphon systems. Since an integral-collector storage system already stores hot water in addition to collecting solar heat, it may be packaged with a demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heater for backup.

Solar Panels Plus is a distributor of Apricus brand solar thermal collectors. The state-of-the-art AP-30 solar thermal systems are capable of efficiently producing enough hot water for a family of four. The key features of the Apricus Solar Thermal Collector are as follows: Minimal maintenance required.

Some random reading

• Hello world!
• Headline test
• Earth Shoe
• Pure Fiber Bamboo Towels
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Earth Shoe by Gaiam

There’s an old saying that your feet are a window to your soul. But even if your footwear philosophy is mainly along the lines of “always wear comfortable shoes,” you’ll also love our styles for the way they step you into a more healthful and aware way of walking through life.

From Earth® shoes with patented posture-correcting design to styles made from planet-friendly natural materials or humane leather-free alternatives, our footwear is made to be mindful of how you want to tread through life every day.At a mere eight ounces - and with a completely foldable shape - this casual, completely vegan shoe easily fits in a suitcase or commuter tote. Its deeply grooved sole offers unmatched flexibility and incredible comfort, and the perforated, breathable uppers offer maximum ventilation. Kalso® Negative Heel® technology from Earth Shoes strengthens your feet and legs while properly aligning your entire posture. Vegan certified. Imported.

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Dlight Design Lamp selling in India, coming soon to USA

Dlight Design is selling three lamps at $30 or less beginning in India and several African countries. Its LED (light-emitting diode) and compact fluorescent lights come in forms that resemble a flashlight or a desk lamp and offer solar-charging options. The venture-backed start-up recently moved headquarters to New Delhi, India. CEO Sam Goldman explained via e-mail that Dlight aims to reach mass market distribution. He and co-founder Ned Tozun developed the idea as students in an emerging markets design course at Stanford University in 2006.

Safe and affordable lighting can be key to development efforts in poor communities. With better light, people have more time to work and study. Hazards of fire from kerosene accidents diminish. And in war zones, potential attackers may be better recognized or deterred. Lighting innovations created for emerging markets are also bouncing back to the developed world.  Dlight will be selling its portable lighting units in the USA soon.

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• Apricus Solar Thermal Collector Water Heater
• Solio Solar Chargers
• Pure Fiber Bamboo Towels
• Preserve Triple Razor
• Eco-DenT Replaceable Head Toothbrushes