Customer Reviews

Scosche Solar Powered Backup Battery and Charger for iPod

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this for Xmas and I love it. Works great with my iPhone and iPod BUT don't expect to hook it up to your windshield at automatically start charging. The instructions are terrible in communicating this. It takes 5 to 7 days of sunlight to do the initial charge of the unit. I would recommend charging it via USB the first time and then using the solar feature after that.

I owned an expensive, big box Brunton Solarport that couldn't charge a hearing aid battery, so I was skeptical about this small solar charger when I bought it for such an affordable price. The first time I used it, it effortlessly charged my HTC Touch cell phone and an MP3 player. But it really wowed me when it charged an Apple iPod Shuffle that for some reason my computers won't recognize and won't charge. Incidentally, I have never charged this device using my computers. I always rely on the sun -- admittedly the intense Florida sun -- and it hasn't failed me yet. Remarkable! Another HUGE plus is I don't have to spend a fortune on a bunch of device tips. Most of my electronics work of mini-USB. I can't wait to use it camping, hiking and kayaking. If this product is the future of solar energy, there might be hope for Mankind afterall. Can't wait to power up my hovercraft.

My friend and I spend days wandering around Manhattan usually plugged into our iPods. I wanted to be able to charge my iPod without having to plug it into my computer. Her son suggested this so I ordered it (he is a very smart boy). I also had him test it for me to see if it worked and he reported that it did.

Then one day I left my iPod in my car, I should say I left it ON in my car so the next morning when I was going to work it was dead, completely. I had the charger in my bag along with the cable so I attached it all and turned on my iPod. Not only did it power my iPod for the 2 hour commute to work, when I got to work and went to plug my iPod into my computer to finish charging it, I didn't need to. It was completely charged.

I didn't give it 5 stars for ease of use because there are two cables you have to have, one to charge it (if you don't have available sunlight to charge it) and another one to attach to the USB cable to charge your devise, but all you have to do is plug it in to start the charge. It also has suction cups so you can stick it to a window to charge it with sunlight.

Can only charge my G1 (HTC Dream) to 85% once before needing to be recharged.

Solar cell is kind of superficial, as it would take days and days in the bright sun to refill its charge.

Sturdy enough construction, with one LED that lights up while charging and another when discharging.

Don't loose the weird power cable because you can't find replacements anywhere.

In retrospect I should have shelled out for more mAh.

I bought this to take along on a wilderness mountaineering trip in the Idaho Sawtooths. Testing it in advance, it worked great with my iPod Touch, but didn't work at all with my Palm Centro phone. To be fair to Scosche, my Centro has been touchy about recharging via its USB connection with a Macbook on the other end, so it's possible I might eventually figured out how to make it work; The phone problem is why I give 4 stars rather than 5; other than that it seems well-built and suprisingly sturdy for how light it is (4 oz.).

Unfortunately I did not remember to bring the USB power-out cable with me when I hiked in, so I didn't get to test it in rough conditions. Arrgghhh!

I recently bought this unit to take to an archaeology dig in remote Mongolia. Not only did it work really well, I was the envy of camp. It's so simple and straight forward, I charged my ipod and my companion's ipod for 3 weeks with no issues. I now use it at home to keep my ipod charged and never need to hook to an outlet. I'm planning to use it backpacking this summer, it's so light weight and easy to carry. I'm impressed.

This is a great and inexpensive solar charger. I bought one when it was on sale. I was a bit skeptical because I've had poor experiences with these basic consumer solar chargers. Also, when I received it I was still skeptical because it's so small, lightweight and seemed cheaply made with all the plastic. Well, I'm happy to report that I was way WRONG! All of the characteristics that on initial inspection makes it come across as cheaply made is actually an added advantage. The small and lightweight makes it extremely portable and unobtrusive if you choose to attach it to your car's windshield. It charges iPods just fine, but it also does a stellar job on other items. I keep it attached to my windshield so it's always charging (during the day, obviously) and use it for my GPS. It charged my GPS (while I was using it) from about a half charge to a full charge within 30-minutes.

You can purchase different USB adapters at any electronics store to charge other items. I now want to purchase a couple more, one for inside my house in order to charge my iProducts in the house. This type of solar unit is also great for travel. I no longer have to carry with me about 5-different AC adapter plugs to charge things, especially since a lot of electronic products are now going by way of the USB or micro-USB connectors. And for International travel...well, no voltage conversion issues when you're using the sun. Make sure the product is charged up the day before heading out on a airplane flight and you have a nice little backup to charge up your iProducts while you're on the plane. And if it's a daytime flight, just let the sun charge while you're on the plane if you are near a window. Great product. I highly recommend getting this. The price tag alone will save you $$$ on the cost of batteries as well. And if you can find it while it's on sale, scoop up a bunch. I only give it minus 1/2-star because the suction cups tend to not keep a concave shape and you have to every once in awhile bend them in order to have them stick to glass (however, it does come with an extra set of them), but it's a small little thing that doesn't do much to detract from the item.