Lenmar PPUS20 PowerPort Solar Charger & Battery for Cell Phone/MP3/PDA/Gaming Devices, Charging Cable/Device Tip Adapters

by Lenmar

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.1 x 1.8 x 3.8 inches ; 10.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0023RRPRO
• Item model number: PPUS20
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,008 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 1, 2009

Product Description

The PowerPort Solar Charger and Battery has been designed to harness the sun's energy, shortening the process of transforming it into electricity by using photovoltaic cells (PVs). PVs convert sunlight into electricity that can be used immediately. The process is clean, fast, noiseless, and - thanks to Lenmar - easily portable. Here's how it works. Light from the sun hits the solar cells. exciting electrons within the cell. Some of them break free, and channeled through a conductive metal strip to create an electric current. This current can either be stored in a battery or used directly in the form of electricity. The stronger the sunlight and the more rays that hit the cell, the more electricity is generated. Lenmar's PowerPort Solar is a portable Lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from any USB port or directly from the Sun. Recharge your cell phone, PDA, media player and other portable devices or gadgets ANYWHERE. The PowerPort Solar is another performance product powered by Lenmar, makers of innovative chargers, batteries and accessories for digital cameras camcorders, laptops, cellular and cordless phones iPods, iPhones, PDAs, MP3 players and other portable electronic devices.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Best for emergencies or outdoors people, May 7, 2009

By 

vlim (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lenmar PPUS20 PowerPort Solar Charger & Battery for Cell Phone/MP3/PDA/Gaming Devices, Charging Cable/Device Tip Adapters (Electronics)

This product would be good for people who spend lots of time outdoors, and can't readily use a car or wall charger for their devices. Backpackers, fishermen, etc, would probably like this. Or if you want emergency power. Otherwise, you're probably better off going with something else. As the packaging states, it's "Emergency Cell Phone Power".

The product takes forever to charge - a one hour charge gives you just enough to make a 5-10 minute phone call. It takes something like 8-10 hours to get a full charge.

The biggest drawback for me is that the unit can only be charged up to 500 times. This would equate to just over a year if you used it everyday. You can't really go green with this thing, since you'd have to replace it every 12-18 months.

On the plus side, it is solar powered, and comes with lots of different tips for devices. It's also cheaper than a other brands that I've seen.

OK for emergencies, but not everyday use. Maybe the next generation product can charge faster, and have a longer battery life.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adequate, August 8, 2009

By 

K. Tevald - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lenmar PPUS20 PowerPort Solar Charger & Battery for Cell Phone/MP3/PDA/Gaming Devices, Charging Cable/Device Tip Adapters (Electronics)

The Lenmar PPUS20 is a decent product. It seems to charge a little faster than my Solio even tho it has an indicator LED that stays on all the time during charging in order to let you know it is catching the sun ; which of course is a waste of power.

I had no problem getting the thing to fully charge in the sun, and it worked great with my cellphone , however, it ruined one of my camera batteries by overcharging it.

I am satisfied with this product. It kept my cellphone charged all summer while I hiked the appalachian trail, but there are better products out there that won't ruin cameras or overcharge batteries which are just as efficient and are in the same general price range.

I would NOT buy another one of these if this one stopped functioning , I would try a different one.

39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Totally Useless Product, June 5, 2009

By 

C. Soon "ELECTWHIZ" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lenmar PPUS20 PowerPort Solar Charger & Battery for Cell Phone/MP3/PDA/Gaming Devices, Charging Cable/Device Tip Adapters (Electronics)

I bought this a month back and tried using it many times but it just doesn't work. After a full day under the sun, I managed to charge my phone for 15 seconds. I tried leaving under the sun for a few days on my dashboard, and it still charges my phone for 15 seconds and switched itself off. Tried this 6 times till now, doesn't get to change a single mobile phone at all!! I don't know why Amazon is selling this kind of inferior product. Don't buy this item. You are better of using other electrical chargers.