Voltaic Buyer's Guide

Pockets and purses are being overtaken by electronics; we rely on our cell phones to keep us in touch, our digital cameras to capture our memories, our GPS’ to find us /our way and our iPods to keep us sane. And then we have to try and remember to keep everything charged and ready for action, which is not only a burden on the brain, but also an energy drain for the environment.

Portable solar power gear serves two functions: it keeps an eco-conscious charge at the ready and helps you lug your little luxuries. Voltaic Systems has garnered a lot of praise for their line of solar power luggage and stands out as THE name in powering green on-the-go.

Top 10 Green Tips

1. What’s The Use?

Sure, you love solar power, but you’re hesitant about how much good one Voltaic backpack can actually do for the environment. Well, you’re right that it won’t have the same impact as switching your house over to solar, that's also the wrong way to approach it. Since you probably already carry a bag for hefting your things from A to B, the Voltaic line is a step in a greener direction (a small, easy step). A Voltaic helps you start moving away from less eco-conscious power options and into the light of solar. Also, using a Voltaic backpack may mean less use of AA batteries (and, in turn, less disposal of AA batteries).

2. Take That To The Bank

If you wince at a Voltaic bag’s price tag in comparison to that old Jensen you’ve been sporting for years, look beyond the label. Not only are you selecting a much greener bag, your initial investment in the Voltaic will also pay off in convenience. Like when your phone battery won’t die on you just as your important work contact finally calls you back or when your laptop battery keeps you powered through the last page of that paper.

3. Variety Show

Just because you’re buying a solar-powered bag, doesn’t mean the masterminds at Voltaic aren’t going to give you some options with it. After all, it’s justifiable to want to be eco-conscious and hip. There are five different Voltaic bags and each comes in four different colors (silver, orange, green and charcoal), for tastes that range from mild to a little more wild.

4. What May Be Right For You…

Since you, as the unique individual that you are, will have unique needs for your Voltaic, you’ll want to put a little thought into the model you choose. The Voltaic Backpack is a solar-power workhouse, but may be bulky for people who only need to do sporadic charging. The Voltaic Daypack is good for those who want something a little smaller. The Voltaic Converter can also house a water bladder (for power junkies on the go), while the Voltaic Messenger Bag is a good choice for a light office bag and the Voltaic Generator is a worthy investment for those who live on their laptops.

5. Making the Most of It

Your Voltaic bag isn’t going to keep your TV running in a power outage, but it’s great at taking care of the electronics you tend to carry in your pockets. To get the charge from your Voltaic bag’s battery (where it’s stored) to your gear, plug a car charger into the socket in the bag or use one of the adaptors included in the set. Just remember to set the voltage on your Voltaic battery to match the needs of your device.

6. Glowing Reviews

The Voltaic line has made some friends in high places; its rave reviewers include the New York Times, CNN, Vanity Fair and Wired Magazine (if it’s good enough for them…). It also won a Shiny Telewest award for Gadget of the Gear and ranked in PC News Weekly’s Top 50 Gadgets.

7. Made of Something More

Voltaic worked with suppliers to develop fabrics for its bags that are made from recycled PET (soda bottles and the like), which ended up being light weight, durable and looks snazzier than the old nylon. More importantly, it uses less energy to create and makes use of the valuable resource that is recycled materials.

8. Stealing Sunshine

Your Voltaic loves sunshine more than George Hamilton. Its perfect day is soaking up the rays, and you should oblige it. To charge the whole Voltaic battery pack can take 8-10 hours of direct sunlight and a complete charge of individual devices can take 4-8 hours. The sun it gets during your daily travels should keep enough charge for necessity situations and to slowly fill the Voltaic battery pack itself, but if you’d like to increase your power, make sure you take your Voltaic with you to sit in a sunny spot during your lunch break or lay it on the deck/fire escape/sunny-patch-of-living-room floor at home.

9. Is Upkeep The Downside?

How much work is it to take care of a Voltaic bag? Not much more than a regular backpack. Scratches are bad for the solar cells (and what’s bad for the solar cells is bad for your charging), so try to avoid unnecessary friction. Everyday wear and tear scratches are generally melted away by a material that coats the Voltaic solar panels. Beyond that, keep your Voltaic clean by wiping it down with a damp cloth periodically.

10. Weathering The Elements

Leaving a Voltaic in the sun all day, as you’ve probably realized by now, is not only okay, but ideal. What about other elements? The fabric Voltaic bags are made of is waterproof, so if it pours during your ride to work, you’ll still be fine. However, like with most bags, zippers and seams can leak a little, so if you leave a Voltaic out in a thunderstorm, your contents could end up wet. Use common sense with your Voltaic and you’ll be fine.