This gadget, for all of its dull appearance, attracted a ridiculous amount of attention from the team before we even trialled it. I guess too many of us, too often, had been caught out with forgetting to charge re-chargeable batteries until it was too late. However with the Uniross High Speed 15 Minute Charger it is almost never too late. Welcome to the "fastest Battery charger in the World" [Uniross]

Time after time we are given cameras to trial that require 'AA' batteries and frankly it's damnably expensive unless you use re-chargeables. However trying to remember to charge these batteries the night before etc can be easily overlooked and lead to much cursing as you head out the door, suddenly finding yourself forced to re-route via a shop that sells batteries for your device. An unnecessary annoyance (not to mention expense!) and all the more so with the Uniross charger easily available. Hence the teams appreciation of it (minus those that trial adult toys – never ever use re-chargeables – they have a nasty habit of burning out motors ;-)  )

As I am sat here typing this up, by my side the Uniross charger is doing exactly what it is supposed to do and speedily charging up four 'AA' batteries – perfect I am sure for Christmas when I have no doubt in this gadget world of mine I will encounter someone who has a gift that needs batteries.

The charger is fully safety loaded (and hums a little anyway, making it not the easiest device to forget – that's part of the safety system – an inbuilt fan to ensure it doesn't overheat), cutting off power when the batteries are fully loaded. If you mis-load the batteries into the charger the system even blinks a red warning to let you know.

Delightfully this is one of those gadgets that is ridiculously useful, does what it says it does and has a little bonus or two – for not only can you charge up 'AA's but it also takes 'AAA'... and comes with car adaptor. Love it!

If you've a device or two that requires AA batteries – TV Remote controls, cameras', Dictaphones etc – and your life always seems like it's in 5th gear, this is probably a worthwhile purchase.

CB has been nattering my ear off whilst I type this, slowing me down a little but just now as I've finished typing so too has the Uniross charger flickered across to 'Green'. My four 'AA' batteries are ready. As easy as that.

RRP of £34.99 and available at Amazon, and other good electrical, department, catalogue and hardware stores and internet retailers.