If you were put off by the price of Goal Zero's Sherpa, then here's something that might be more deserving of that slot in your backpack. The Switch 8 Solar Charging Kit costs $100 and bundles together a 2,200mAh battery and Nomad 3.5 solar panel. The manufacturer says that the 8-watt dynamite-shaped battery can be tanked up via sunlight in six hours, although this time can be reduced to four if you use a USB power source before you head into the wilderness. Interchangeable tips, which will be sold separately in the coming months, will allow compatibility with a variety of devices and also let you use the battery pack as a fan or flashlight -- no cranking or pedaling required.

Continue reading Goal Zero's Switch 8 solar charger bundle now available for $100

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Mobile

Goal Zero's Switch 8 solar charger bundle now available for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.