Maybe for camping...???

[kristopher]

K2 Charges Electronics With Solar and Wind Energy

Nick Barber, IDG News Service

With green being a big theme at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, the K2 from Kinesis fits right in. The waterproof device can charge a number of electronic devices using just solar and wind energy.

The device has a number of features including a solar panel, wind turbine and internal battery. The sun and wind can charge the internal battery, which can then power and charge electronics. There is also an option to charge the internal battery using a standard wall outlet and users may want to do just that before they go out.

Charging the internal battery using solar energy takes six to eight hours. With wind it takes 24 hours to charge, according to Steve Stein, business development manager for Kinesis. Once fully charged, the K2 provides about 15 hours of total charging time.

There's a power meter on the side of the device that indicates the level of charge for the internal battery. Just below the meter are the USB (Universal Serial Bus) and mini USB ports for charging. In the base of the unit is a compartment to store charging tips and wires.

The K2 will come to market later this year for about US$100.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/156906/k2_charges_electronics_with_solar_and_wind_energy.html

(no photo provided)

[madokie]

1. sounds like a good idea to me

better than nothing plus it will give a person some sense of what alternate energy is all about, if they don't already know. And I know several who have no clue as to how much energy it takes to do anything. We were at a second hand store the other day and there was a little, 6 X 12 inch solar panel and I heard an older gentleman tell his lady friend that he was thinking of buying that to use to recharge his boat trolling motor battery when he returned from fishing each day. He totally had no idea how much power that little cell would produce. Gadgets like this will help in that department.

[kristopher]

2. Particularly at that price.

Also would be good for power out emergency lighting etc.

[madokie]

3. Yes it would

[XemaSab]

4. What kind of toxic waste does it produce in the manufacture?

And will use of the product 5 times on camping trips justify production of said waste, or would it just be better to charge your cell phone before you go, if you really have to bring it along?

[kristopher]

5. Does it wear out after 5 uses?

Somehow I have trouble believing you ask this question about all the non-essential products you purchase (and I'd wager there is a hell of a lot of "stuff" squirreled about your domicile), so what is your point in this case?