Ok, this gadget has quite a title – PowerFreak 2 or otherwise known as the Evolution 2500 Solar. I think I like the PowerFreak 2 best!
With such a big name, in the World of Solar Chargers it’s actually a lovely compact little device. Think of the iPhone 4G and voila, you can picture the size of this powerhouse of a Solar Charger.
It’s a mite heavier but not detrimentally so and I found myself stuffing it in my bag and not noticing its presence.. until my phone went flat!

Firstly, size and weight aside, it’s black & sleek and has a sensible plastic cover on the front to protect the solar panels whilst transporting the device. It comes with 8 (!) connectors and a cool carry case to hold the entire kit-kaboodle in.  Now, although it’s a solar charger, it can also be charged from the mains or a Mini USB powered system (taking about 6 hours to reach full charge but giving you enough power to run your mobile phone three times, give or take)

Placing it in sunlight (or even apparently under in-house lights!) will take a little longer to get the device fully charged but for its size, I remain impressed with its efficiency.

In actual operation, this device will work with everything from various compact camera’s (5v) through to your Nintendo DS (great for extra power on long haul flights) and your range of mobile phones.
There’s a very clear LED display (funky) to show you the charge / power state and an international adaptor to boot!

One thing to consider with Solar Chargers, especially these smaller, more cost efficient models we’re seeing hit the mainstream market presently, is how many times can they themselves be charged up before they simply run out of steam? The PowerFeak 2 boasts an impressive promise of 500 chargers before you need to dispose of it. Taking the lowest figures available, that would enable you to charge your phone 1500-2000 times (how many years?!) before this solar charger would let you down.

With both its International Plug, easy use, compact design and broadness of applicable devices, it comes in at a celebratory 9/10 – only dropping a point because it does have quite a price tag (RRP £49.99)

See www.powerfreakz.com for more information and to buy.