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Note: if my travel insurance company – the one holding my theft policy – is reading this, please divert your interest here. There’s nothing to see below.
Given that I’m planning to travel to some very remote parts of the globe, I’m struggling with how to ensure that I can power the pile of gadgets I’m planning to bring with me: laptop, still camera, video camera (maybe), iPod, etc. (I know I’ll get e-mails and death threats from die hard travel junkies chastising me for taking such liabilities along in the first place. Alas, I love gadgets almost as much as I love travel, so I’m well beyond deciding whether or not to take same along with me. Sorry.).
So I started exploring solar options. After all, they have sunshine in other parts of the world, right? It’s not exclusive to the U.S?
Would you believe that humans:
- can put a man on the moon (though some still question this)?
- have developed disposable underwear, for the true OCD and germaphobe traveler?
- can practically see up a camel’s nose from space?
- sell an MP3 player strong enough to protect our soldiers from heavy arms fire in Iraq?
… but we’ve yet to solve the problem of a viable, portable solar backpack? At least, not the kind I need – the kind that can power a laptop enroute. C’mon – how’s a man supposed to get by in the jungles of Laos if he can’t even stay current with Britney’s latest hoo-hoo shots?
The closest thing I found is the Voltaic Backpack, which I’ll admit is pretty cool. Opt for the charcoal colored solar panels and you’re in stealth mode, at least as much as you can be for someone carrying solar panels around on their back. This little bad boy will power everything I’m planning to take with me (and even the few things I’m planning to leave at home) … everything except a laptop.
So I’m left with either: the hope that some such solar device will reach the market before my trip next year; strapping 12 extended life laptop batteries to my chest like some weird geek version of Rambo; or just going without said hoo-hoo shots.
Anyone seen anything like what I’m looking for online? C’mon where are all my resourceful tech-crazy nomads? I’m keeping my fingers crossed.