Solar power backpacks are simply high quality backpacks, usually made of 1,680 Denier nylon, with small solar panels attached to them. A new technology called thin film solar panels are used to generate power from the sun while keeping the weight to about 3.5 pounds for the whole backpack. There are currently two main manufacturers of solar powered backpacks, Voltaic Systems and Eclipse Solar Gear. Both of their backpacks have similar features; one is a little less expensive while the other generates more power.

Both backpacks are designed to charge hand held electronics such as cell phones, PDA’s, GPSs, and digital cameras. They are not designed to charge laptop computers. Laptops usually draw more current than the backpacks can generate so eventually the battery pack would be totally depleted. Portable hand held electronics do not draw that much power so the backup battery remains charged up.

A 4,400 mAh, 3.6 volt lithium ion battery is included along with a generous assortment of adapters to fit just about any personal electronics you may have.  You can charge the backup battery three different ways, by the thin film solar panels, with an AC adapter or with a DC cigarette lighter adapter, all three are included. Both backpacks have a generous 1.850 cubic inches of storage and many pockets for storing MP3 players, cell phones and water bottles. The Voltaic backpack can even handle a 3 liter water bladder with tubing threaded through the bags wire channels for hands free sipping.

Solar powered pack packs can be used by just about any one but they are especially useful to hikers, campers and hunters. How many stories have been written about people hiking into the wilderness getting lost? Some were saved by a cell phone call while others had their cell phone or GPS run out of power when they need them most. These back packs are great those who depend on small electronic devices like cell phones, GPSs and digital cameras but will not be any where close to a charging source for days.  Digital landscape photographers, cross country skiers, bikers can all make good use of this great new technology.



Thanks to Bob Gambrell for contributing this article to our backpacks blog:

Hurley Backpack

Those of us who are especially lucky after the Christmas gift giving might find ourselves with a pretty nice Laptop Computer. What a great gift, you'll find that you'll never leave home with out it. But after a few days the excitement might wear off when you realize it's kind of annoying taking it around and worrying about dripping it etc. The solution is pretty simple. Invest in a Laptop Computer Backpack. It is a simple investment; after all, it's just a backpack. But, it makes having a laptop so much nicer. You can take it with you everywhere you go and have everything you need with it to. The only dilemma is what laptop computer backpack is right for you? Well, I present the 5 main considerations when picking the computer bag that is right for you.

1) Find a backpack that fits your bag snugly. You don't need to see it to make sure it works, but you definitely don't want to have your 12 inch laptop in a backpack that is designed for a 17 inch backpack. Most bags and backpacks designed for laptop computers will have some kind of foam or outer protection for the laptop. Both of these will keep your computer from bouncing around.

2) Make sure that the style of the bag fits your lifestyle. My first bag for my laptop was a leather briefcase. I made sure that I got a nice one and it did the job pretty well. But I found that if I had to walk a distance with my briefcase that it was kind of annoying and made me walk weird with all of that weight on one side. But, I just recently got my pick from a list of laptop computer backpacks and I love it. No more walking weird, I don't not want to bring my laptop anywhere. It is actually really comfortable. It is want I want. Make sure that you backpack fits your lifestyle. If you ride your bike to work, a bag without shoulder-straps would obviously have limitations. If you are a businessman and want to always look professional, maybe my briefcase would be a better choice. Just make sure that it works for you.

3) Find a look that is right for you. Many business women, for example, don't want to be seen carrying a big briefcase that looks like it was built for men. They would probably prefer looking for women's laptop cases. You would actually be pretty surprised at how nice some of these bags look. A far cry from the standard black laptop computer briefcase.

4) Find a good price. Shop around and make sure that you're getting what you want, for the price you want. Obviously nice backpacks, bags, or briefcases are going to be nicer and more expensive. But you shouldn't be spending hundreds of dollars for the laptop computer backpack that you want.

5) Find a good brand. A lot of the trendy women's laptop cases aren't going to be offered by the big brands. But, you can usually trust those. But for your standard laptop computer backpacks, stick with the brands that you've heard of (such as Targus, or Ogio). They have a good name for a reason. Or do your research and make sure you know what you're getting.

Laptop Computer Backpacks can be a cheap, but great investment. It will change the relationship that you have with your laptop computer.



Thanks to Brady Quist for contributing this article to our backpacks blog:

Hurley Backpack