Tough Solar Charger: The Freeloader
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 02.21.07
The Freeloader is a new solar charger from the U.K. that sports a tough aluminum body. It's not exactly pocket-sized but it will fit nicely in a backpack or purse. It features fold-out panels for solar charging, or it can be charged conventionally through your computer's USB port. It comes with a variety of plugs and sockets, and will hold a charge for 3 months on its internal battery pack. It takes 5 hours to fully charge using the sun (and 3 hours with USB). Once charged, Freeloaders internal battery can power an iPod for 18hours, a mobile phone for 44 hours, PSP for 2.5 hours a PDA for 22 hours. The solar cells are rated 120mA, while the li-ion battery packs 1000mAh. It's priced at £29.99 (about $60). :: Freeloader
Thanks for the info Justin. I've just ordered one. However I just want to point out that the charger is available right now. I've just got off the phone to the company.
Heya Justin, not wanting to brag (too much) but we highlighted the Freeloader back in January. We also listed another UK site that you can buy it from
HI there,
I just bought one (Freeloader Solar charger) from a guy on ebay. But now when I charge it for 6-7 hours in the sun, it will only charge my Sony-E w800 for 5-8min....then there is no more power on the unit....
How can it be? Is it because I need to charge it a couple of times before it works properly?? Same problem even if I charge it through USB. Is there already some fake models out there??
/Carsten
Greenland (Yeah I reallt need the gadget this summer here in the coold north!)
I have just brought my Freeloader from SolarTechnology.com. I then decided to read reviews about it, I have never been so gutted. I have never seen a product with soooo many completely negetive reviews, The owners of these devices seem livid and angry at the poor performance from this device. I myself feel lied to and now have lost all product confidence. I am travelling around Spain soon and can't afford to have dodgy kit with me. I am in the process of returning my freeloader and getting a powermonkey explorer, problem is the phone number supplied is a dudd.... Oh dear, looks like I've been had...
I just got a freeloader for christmas, it s absolutely awful! I charged it up through the USB port, until it was full charged, then plugged my ipod into it, and went to bed, and then i missed my alarm ten next day, because the freeloader had drained what little battery my ipod had left. Charged up my PSP, lasted abut 10 minutes, he only thing it could charge, was my phone, but only for about 30 minutes, very disappointed, i'm returning i when the shop reopens after the holidays.