Energizer's Rechargeable Solar Charger gets detailed, pictured

You don't usually equate CES with big time Energizer introductions, but this year is going to be different. While our fingers are still crossed that a 50-foot drum-toting bunny is seen storming around in the Vegas heat, we do know that said outfit will be bringing along its minty fresh Zinc Air Prismatic batteries, not to mention the newly unveiled Rechargeable Solar Charger. The above pictured device will boast a USB port to power an assortment of devices, and it can also be charged from an AC outlet if you just can't seem to locate the sun. Better still, its weatherproof nature should make it suitable for argonauts, and it'll only run $49.99 with a pair of rechargeable cells when it lands next summer.

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:25PM]

Tooey, da-boo boo. Catchu times 2! Tiny little itty bitty ga-joo joo.

Does it work with the iPhone though? That's the question. :)

[El Taco @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:27PM]

-1 for mentioning iPhone

[Game_playa @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:15AM]

+1 for -1

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:18AM]

I got a point off for mentioning the iPhone? The iPhone is great sure, but it's not like I mention the iPhone all the time when talking about gadgets. I happen to enjoy the competition the iPhone has been having, but the iPhone certainly stands out on its own.

Okay, I'm gonna stop now. Not sure what got into me. :s

[Dan @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:27PM]

Yes, but will it play Crysis?

[El Taco @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:26PM]

Do want!

[zioncat @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:28PM]

You know what kills me the most about a lot of solar powered technology. These companies charge more than they should. Bring the prices down on the technology needed to help save our damn planet.

[1234321 @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:34PM]

"These companies charge more than they should"

I see what you did there!!

[bokeen @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:04AM]

While I agree that most solar-powered products are WAY too expensive, 50 bucks doesn't seem too bad for this.

I understand your point, but I am willing to pay a slight premium for a more green product. Plus, I run through rechargables like it's going out of style. I would assume that I'd end up saving the money on my electric bill over the life of the product.

[patriotsn1 @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:19AM]

The planet is going to be just fine... It's the humans you're worried about.

[Twitchy @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:36AM]

I'd rather pay a wee bit more to a large well-established corporation for one of these rather than an unkown fly-by-night operation which dissapears well before the mandatory manufacturers warranty runs out. That and you can't sue what you can't find.

[Hackettman @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:33PM]

See I think 49 is reasonable.... I remember going to go get a charger for the rechargeable AA batteries and I think in store they wanted about $20 or $30 (mind you this was about 4 years ago when it was for my Sony Cd player). This thing will come online for somewhere around $45 or $40.... $20 if you get it from HK without an energizer logo.

I do agree that more green tech should be cheaper and you should be able to be rewarded for use of multiple kinds of green tech. Maybe it should be tax exempt for green products and the such.

[Jesse @ Dec 23rd 2008 3:36PM]

How about $40 for a solar charger with all the accessories from Devotec instead? A cheaper way of being green.

[FILA @ Dec 23rd 2008 4:28PM]

@ Hackettman

4 years ago for your CD player, you kno mp3 was out then to right. lol, sorry it just sounded like you were so back in time, like you should of said 10 or 15 years ago. lol

[midimasta @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:31PM]

Wheres The AC/DC output port? why only USB. What About The People Who Want To Charge And Play Their Nintendo DS Or Sony PSP On The Go?

[CL @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:42PM]

Get one of those USB charging cables.

[slycooper_rocker [anti-panda death murder squadron force five] @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:11AM]

psp can recharge via usb. i'm not sure about ds.

[Glenn @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:22AM]

The AC/DC output? Thunderstruck much?

[tekdroid @ Dec 23rd 2008 7:40AM]

probably more practical (and cheaper, and faster) to bring a pre-charged spare PSP and/or DS battery with you(yes they are available). Too bad Nintendo insists on removing a screw to replace their battery, but the PSP is very easily done.

[ipubs bastard child @ Dec 23rd 2008 10:50AM]

@slycooper_rocker [anti-panda death murder squadron force five]

Nice name.

I can confirm you can charge the DS via a USB cable. Not directly as the DS port isnt USB but it's own proprietry connector but I do have a USB to DS cable for in car use that works very well.

[aaron @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:45PM]

Nifty!

[sepirioth @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:48PM]

Now THIS is great news!

[Steve @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:49PM]

That, son, is a $50 battery that I am actually going to spend money on.

[andres @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:11AM]

father, is that you?

[Dez @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:51PM]

Hi,

My name is battery charger. Observe, my flashlight. I draw my power from that bright sun thing. Now we can return the sun's favor by recharging it with me too =D

Sincerely,
Solar Flashlight.

[XIYL @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:01AM]

When I think solar flashlight I think burning retinas and people and such-what, I do not think redundancy.

side note: Someone should really try and make one of those flashlights, it would be fairly entertaining.

[jd @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:55PM]

who designed it?why the hell does it need the panel to flip? damn ID designers

[L3 @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:14AM]

Some would prefer a slide. I am one that will no longer fight for a physical keyboard on my solar chargers.

[SB @ Dec 23rd 2008 11:35AM]

Panel flips for directing it at the sun, and to protect fragile solar panels that will crack and scratch in your pocket/bag.

[Zorque @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:33AM]

Solar panels are really easy to break, and if it was on the outside of the case it wouldn't last a month.

[ahfunaki @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:12AM]

I would say the panel flips so you can easily direct it at the sun...

[L3 @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:16AM]

As I re-read the article, I understand more why it is set for a SUMMER release. Cold fusion charger to be released next Winter.

[M1K3Z0R @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:27AM]

They forgot the feature that tracks the sun and adjusts the solar panel accordingly. Deal breaker!

[Ikonomi @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:25PM]

I'd trade a heliostat for the ability to charge more than two cells at a time!

[Ogo @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:41AM]

"Kirk to Scotty beam me up."

[lanosian @ Dec 23rd 2008 4:11AM]

weatherproof? nice...
but i thought you will at least a sun too use a solar charger?
or can they charge in the rain now?

[RikF @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:44AM]

You're right. I hate the way that a little drizzle not only blocks out all of the light from the sun, but also sneaks into your solar-charged cells and removes the energy already stored!

[BoxOfSnoo @ Dec 23rd 2008 10:31AM]

They can, with piezo crystals!

[Taylor @ Dec 23rd 2008 4:27AM]

These seem kind of cool. Charge it in the sun at home, put it in your backpack, when your phone or MP3 or what have you is low on juice, just plug it in.

What kind of speed does it charge at?

[andres @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:12AM]

ludicrous

[AlpahGeeeK @ Dec 23rd 2008 6:15AM]

Looks like a cool idea to me.

[Eric @ Dec 23rd 2008 7:46AM]

I picked up a Power Monkey charger last winter when CompUSA was going out of business for $12 (90% off). I find myself actually using the thing, and it does charge using the solar panel, although it takes a few days to fill it. $50 seems like a fair price, if it comes with lots of adapters.

[rob @ Dec 23rd 2008 7:52AM]

Please add a compass, a can opener and a lens.

[Tony C @ Dec 23rd 2008 8:58AM]

And one of those wind-y charge-y handles, for when the sun just isn't around...

[Tony C @ Dec 23rd 2008 9:02AM]

Does that look like a flashlight lens on the end to anyone else...?

http://www.goodcleantech.com/images/Energizer%20Solar%20Charger%20Open.jpg

[Cybergypsy @ Dec 23rd 2008 9:52AM]

iPhone :)

[Boarderwoot @ Dec 23rd 2008 10:06AM]

Is it just me or does it seem like those "photos" are actually computer renerings?

Maybe engadget has just made me jaded.

[_rav @ Dec 23rd 2008 10:58AM]

More specs... we need more specs...
What's the charging current while using solar panel? How long will it take to charge let's say... a pair of standard 2000-2500 mAh AA baterries? 4 hours? 8? 16?

[waterwagen @ Dec 23rd 2008 11:42AM]

Are two double AAs enough to charge up my iPod Touch? If so, I'm interested. Don't especially need it as I'm almost always near an outlet, but it's darn cool.

[gt2378b @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:45PM]

Neither link gives numbers, but for perspective: a Nintendo DS power supply's output is 5.2V, 450mA; that's 2.34W (peak).

You'll need to charge ~427 hours (almost 18 solid days) at that rate to use a kWh -- average cost per kWh in the US: $0.10.

So it's neat, a nice symbolic accessory & your $50 does support R&D for this type of thing-- but your direct benefits are small.