In order to power and transfer data from an MP3 player, smartphone, and digital camera, you typically need to travel with a number of different cords. The SynCH Universal Sync Charger cuts down on cable clutter by providing one product that can sync and power many mobile phones, PDAs, portable music players, Bluetooth headsets, digital cameras, portable gaming systems, and all USB accessories.

Although the SynCH has an unusual appearance, it’s remarkably adaptable. The male USB connector side can draw power from a PC’s USB port, a wall outlet (via an optional wall adapter), or the cigarette lighter in your car (via an optional car adapter) to power your devices from many locations. Your electronics receive power through the 2.5-millimeter headphone jack and the female USB port on the other end of the SynCH. Interchangeable mTip connectors (not included) are used to bridge your mobile gear to the SynCH, and devices connected to the female USB port can also sync or transfer data to a PC. For instance, to recharge and sync an iPod, you’d attach the iPod mTip to the SynCH’s female USB port, attach your iPod to the mTip connector, and then attach the SynCH to a USB port on your PC. The SynCH has 3 feet of retractable cord, which lets it function as a USB extension cable for computer accessories.

Because the SynCH can also provide power from a wall outlet through the optional AC adapter, you can travel with one power accessory that can charge your devices on the go or in the hotel room. The SynCH weighs less than 4 ounces, and with a similar width and length to a wristwatch, the product easily fits in the pocket of a briefcase or laptop bag. Malleable Devices also offers the kwik-SynCH for $14.95, which is similar to the SynCH but with two female USB ports and without a retractable cable.

Universal Power Bank
$399.99 • MFUEL
www.mfueldirect.com

The Universal Power Bank from MFUEL is a complete power solution. MFUEL includes 27 color-coded MFUEL Hot Tips that are compatible with hundreds of laptops and also let you power and sync hundreds of mobile phones, PDAs, portable DVD players, MP3 players, digital cameras, and portable gaming systems. The external battery stores 9,200mAh (milli-amp hour), which let us run an IBM ThinkPad T40 for an additional six and a half hours.

For convenience, the Universal Power Bank includes an LCD readout that displays how much time the battery has left to charge, how full the battery is, and how long it can power the devices currently connected to it. The battery features a red and yellow output that matches up with the color-coded Hot Tip connectors. The red output and connectors are solely for laptops and tablet PCs. All other electronic devices connect to the low-power yellow output and must use the yellow connectors. To connect devices to the Universal Power Bank, MFUEL includes two Power Pucks that function as both power and data transfer cables. Each Power Puck has 6 feet of retractable cable stored in a sturdy, hockey puck-shaped vessel. The Universal Power Bank helps prevent power damage to your electronics with technology that determines how much voltage a specific device requires.

With all the different connectors, the Universal Power Bank may seem imposing to use, but the color-coded system and detailed compatibility charts help you to find and connect your devices easily. MFUEL includes a carrying bag that's large enough to fit and neatly manage the external battery and charging tools. The downside to the Universal Power Bank is that it weighs 3.7 pounds, so you will notice it in your laptop bag. Also, the product is around the thickness of a laptop and may prove too unwieldy if you have limited space.



Solar Style SC002 Solar Charger
$55.99 (full kit) • Solar Style
www.solarstyle.com

Many universal power accessories are good at adapting existing power sources, but few can charge your portable devices on a camping trip. The SC002 Solar Charger from Solar Style provides the best of both worlds by featuring an internal Li-Ion battery that can recharge via solar power, a wall outlet, or the cigarette lighter in your car. The solar charger features connectors for mobile phones (including Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Nextel, Sony Ericsson, and LG), smartphones (Treo, BlackBerry, and Motorola), and iPods. For generic compatibility, the full kit also includes a USB, mini-USB, and standard car adapter that can convey power through a device’s own car charger.

The SC002 is small enough to be placed in a coat pocket and folds in half to protect the solar panels from damage. You can trickle charge your portable gear using the solar panels, and if no devices are connected, the internal battery fully replenishes in seven to nine hours. If you can’t wait that long, the wall charger or car adapter (included in the full kit) can recharge the internal battery in three to four hours. When the SC002 is charging, the input LED on the side of the charger will blink, and a solid red LED indicates the battery is fully charged.

Unlike some portable chargers that only offer one output voltage, the SC002 Solar Charger features both a 3.6V and 5.5V output to avoid providing more power than your device can handle. In our tests, we found the internal battery stored enough juice to fully charge a fifth-generation iPod or mostly replenish a smartphone. Additionally, the SC002 features an emergency LED flashlight that’d be handy if you needed to search through your travel bag in the dark.

Voltaic Messenger Bag
$229 • Voltaic
www.voltaicsystems.com

At first glace, the Messenger bag from Voltaic looks like any other laptop carrying case. But with three solar panels embedded in the front pocket, this versatile bag generates up to 4W of power directly to your portable gear or stores that energy in the supplied Li-Ion battery pack. For compatibility, Voltaic includes 11 adapters that work with many mobile phones, PDAs, portable music players, GPS (global positioning system) receivers, and digital cameras. A standard car adapter is also provided, so you can transfer power through your device’s car charger and without needing to bother finding the right connector tip. If it isn’t sunny out, you can use the supplied car or AC adapter to charge the battery pack or your devices.

Depending on how many volts your portable device requires, you can adjust the battery pack to output 3.5V, 5V, or 7.2V. Most mobile gear supports up to 5V, but you should check your device's users manual for the proper voltage before charging. Because notebook computers require more than 7.2V, the Voltaic Messenger bag isn't designed to charge them, but the bag does include a padded laptop cradle that accommodates notebooks up to 15.2 inches wide. Voltaic supplies a USB connector, mini-USB connector, a set of universal adapter plugs (for manufacturers such as AudioVox, Canon, Kodak, LG, Navman, and Sanyo), and four mobile phone connectors (compatible with Motorola V Series, Nokia, Nextel, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung). Optional adapters are available on Voltaic’s Web site.

When the pack is charging, the Voltaic logo on the outside of the bag lights up, and the battery pack features a meter that indicates how much power is left. The charging cables are nicely concealed underneath the fabric of the bag, and the interior of the bag provides plenty of space to store your devices and charging equipment.

by Nathan Lake