In an attempt to provide extra juice to your smartphones, Kindles and such kinda gadgets, the XD Design, a company that works with “surprisingly smart” philosophy to render the everyday products into more beautiful & affordable versions, have come out with their solar battery chargers. Their latest release, which comes in the shape of the Port Solar Charger, happens to be a revamped sibling of last year’s much celebrated Window Solar Chargers. Now, in case, you are eager to learn this-&-that details of these two arguably great solar energy sources, then the following XD Design’s Window & Port Solar Chargers review should serve your purpose.
1. Window Solar Charger
Say it our respect to the elders or the tendency to keep good news in suspense but we have decided on to explore the delicacies of XD designers’ first solar-powered brainchild. Yes, we are talking about the Window Solar Charger, which has delighted us with its spiderman-like ability to stick on to the windows.
Specifications (Weight, Size & Battery):– Weighing just about 95 grams, this portable solar charger (having 4.3 x 4.3 x 0.68 inches dimensions) makes use of the PV (i.e. photovoltaic) panel to power up its 1400 mAh Li-ion battery (which is housed in the ABS plastic case) to provide extra juice to your smartphones and such electronic devices.
How Long Does It Take Window Solar Charger To Be Fully Charged Up?:– The XD manufacturers quote 13 hours for their Window Solar Charger to power up fully, but we have come to discover that it can take 20 or so hours to have it fully charged up (might be because of the low intensity of sunlight; it’s still winter after all!). Although it sucks that there’s no battery meter in the Window Solar Charger, there’s nevertheless a LED status indicator, which will light up red when being charged and will turn green once it’s fully charged.
How Long Does It Take Window Solar Charger To Be Fully Charged Up?:– The XD manufacturers quote 13 hours for their Window Solar Charger to power up fully, but we have come to discover that it can take 20 or so hours to have it fully charged up (might be because of the low intensity of sunlight; it’s still winter after all!). Although it sucks that there’s no battery meter in the Window Solar Charger, there’s nevertheless a LED status indicator, which will light up red when being charged and will turn green once it’s fully charged.
What’s the Big USB Port For?:–The Window Solar Energy sports two USB ports, the big one of which is designed to connect your hungry smartphones and such devices with this solar charger. Hence, to juice up your device, all you have to do is to plug it on the big USB port (charges at 5 volt).
What’s the mini-USB port for?:– Doubting the consumer’s patience level (waiting for 13 hours can be a headache!), the designers of Window Solar Charger have thought it wise to equip this portable juice provider with a mini-USB port– you will get the cable for it on purchase–, which you can plug on to an AC socket, and thus have it fully charged up in just 3 hours.
What’s the Silicone Ring For?:– While other solar battery chargers usually come with a “prop it against the window or on the surface of sunlight-lit table & tap the solar energy” idea, the XD’s solar energy sucker is new with its ability to stick on to the windows. You see, these Window Solar chargers are packed with a 3mm thick silicone ring that can stick to the insides of the window quite firmly, irrespective of the few knocks I gave as a test. However, this sticking power of the silicone ring may worsen with dust accumulation; so, you better have it restored to its former glory by washing with soapy water.
2. Port Solar Charger
While the price of the Port Solar Charger is still in suspense, its features have reached the public’s ear, disclosing the fact that it’s devoid of the minor performance chinks, present in the old Window Solar Charger.
i) Specifications (Weight, Size & Battery):–We have come to expect beautiful wonders from the XD Design; the revamped version of their old Window Solar Charger strengthens our belief (that round plastic disk shape of Port Solar Charger is better than the classic square shape, don’t you think?). However, it has put on some weight (now weights 108 gram i.e. 13 grams more than Window Solar Charger), but has lessened its dimensions with 1.8 cm long diameter. Likewise, the body thickness is quoted at 1.8 cm. The only downfall in the Port Solar Energy is the 1000 mAh Li-ion battery (the Window model had 1300 mAh power).
ii) PVC Suction Cup Instead Of Silicone Ring:– In place of the silicone ring, the XD designers have employed a PVC suction cup (1 cm thick), which not only graces the edges of the 8 cm PV panel but also sticks more firmly on window panes than its predecessor.
iii) Connections:–Just like the Window Solar Charger, the Port model is also equipped with a big USB port to plug your Kindles or iPhones. There’s also an integrated USB charger to have the Port Solar Charger charged with the AC current, rather than through the solar rays.
iv) How Long Does It Take Port Solar Charger To get Fully Charged?:– While the USB charging will power it up in just 2 hours, you can expect the Port Solar charger to take 20 or so hours to get fully charged up feeding on the solar rays (mind you, the intensity of sunrays will be the decisive factor for the max charge time).
v) Battery Status Indicator:– Of all the things present in the revamped Port Solar Charger, we best liked the battery status indicator, although it does not give an exact digital measure. You see, there are these 5 LED lights on the surface of the Port Energy Charger, one green in color and other 4 in blue. When charging, the green light will turn on, and as the battery sucks the solar energy, the 4 blue LED lights will one by one come alive. Likewise, when you juice up your smartphone with the Port Solar Charger, the blue lights will one by one flicker off, showing the depletion of energy reserve of this portable solar charger.
The Verdict:–
With the warm sunny days just a corner away, gadget geeks would look cooler and wiser with either of the XD solar chargers. Both are superb solar backup power, which can fuel up your smartphones, Kindles and such portable devices’ battery anywhere at any time.
