Out and About

[Sling Shot]

Since I have retired , I find my self spending more time in remote areas .
I am thinking that I need to pick up a solar charger for my phone .
So perhaps you ladds that are more tech savvy , than myself , might
be able to recommend the right best one the first time , there seems to be so many to choose from .
I think something small like a cell size would work best for the back pack . ...
THANKS ..and have a great day.

Vote , Vote , Vote , Today something good is happening .

 

[Kevin]

If you are looking at Amazon, check out how many reviews the best one has. Those reviews are usually a pretty good indicator.

I don't know anything about them, they do look like a good idea though.

 

[Sling Shot]

If you are looking at Amazon, check out how many reviews the best one has. Those reviews are usually a pretty good indicator.

I don't know anything about them, they do look like a good idea though.

Kevin , thanks for the reply and the input I was trying to read as many reviews as i can , I just thought that there should be some hunters here on the forum that uses them that has some valuable input , they are not very expensive but I would like some durability , I will be in remote areas in South America as well as here , I noticed when I installed nord vpn , my phone battery needed charging more often . Any way thanks again Kevin .

 

[arfmel]

From what I have seen, these things are usually made in China and most are junk.

The reviews on Amazon are frequently faked by the companies that sell there.

When you read reviews, look at "most recent" reviews instead of "top reviews". Buyer beware.

There's an app called fakespot that rates reviews for truthfulness. I recommend it.

Also, it might be wise to check the legality of using a VPN in the countries you are visiting. I seem to remember some countries made their use illegal.

 

[arfmel]

From Nord's website:

"VPNs are illegal in North Korea, Belarus, Oman, Iraq, and Turkmenistan. In some other countries, including China, Russia, Türkiye, UAE, India, Iran, Egypt, and Uganda, only government-approved VPNs are legal, but these might allow the authorities to monitor users."

Looks like you're ok in S America.

 

[Sling Shot]

From what I have seen, these things are usually made in China and most are junk.

The reviews on Amazon are frequently faked by the companies that sell there.

When you read reviews, look at "most recent" reviews instead of "top reviews". Buyer beware.

There's an app called fakespot that rates reviews for truthfulness. I recommend it.

Also, it might be wise to check the legality of using a VPN in the countries you are visiting. I seem to remember some countries made their use illegal.
View attachment 57926

From what I have seen, these things are usually made in China and most are junk.

The reviews on Amazon are frequently faked by the companies that sell there.

When you read reviews, look at "most recent" reviews instead of "top reviews". Buyer beware.

There's an app called fakespot that rates reviews for truthfulness. I recommend it.

Also, it might be wise to check the legality of using a VPN in the countries you are visiting. I seem to remember some countries made their use illegal.
View attachment 57926

From Nord's website:

"VPNs are illegal in North Korea, Belarus, Oman, Iraq, and Turkmenistan. In some other countries, including China, Russia, Türkiye, UAE, India, Iran, Egypt, and Uganda, only government-approved VPNs are legal, but these might allow the authorities to monitor users."

Looks like you're ok in S America.

Arfmel ...Never thought about the legality of a vpn , not sure they would know I even have one , I do know scammers like to target tourists . I dont put alot of faith in reviews , but sometimes you can find little tid bits of useful info . Thats Exactly why I reached out to you guys we are already making progress . ....I dont see my self going to those countries anytime soon , but you certainly made me aware of something I never thought about . Thanks

 

[thinckley]

My best friend has one he absolutely loves. Uses it all the time, especially on river trips. I will find out the brand and let you know.

 

[Sling Shot]

My best friend has one he absolutely loves. Uses it all the time, especially on river trips. I will find out the brand and let you know.

Thanks ....no hurry just when you get time , I dont leave until after the first of the year .

 

[gnappi]

Since I have retired , I find my self spending more time in remote areas .
I am thinking that I need to pick up a solar charger for my phone .
So perhaps you ladds that are more tech savvy , than myself , might
be able to recommend the right best one the first time , there seems to be so many to choose from .
I think something small like a cell size would work best for the back pack . ...
THANKS ..and have a great day.

Vote , Vote , Vote , Today something good is happening .

I think that if you carried a freshly charged battery bank you'll be much better off than dorking around with a solar charger. A decent and depleted battery bank can be charged in your car between stops if you have a fast charge USB cigarette lighter attachment you can charge most phones in an hour.

Oh, and pay no attention to the ridiculous the HUGE mAH claims on battery banks. It's rare to see 16,000 REAL mAH on battery banks and the best may charge a modern phone four to five times.

 

[coach]

I agree that a small battery pack is a good way to go. I've used a small lipstick sized battery so I didn't have to search for an outlet in airports. They can easily charge a phone multiple times and recharge easily while driving or someplace that offers electricity. I suppose even by solar. Be sure to check the compatibility with your phone.

 

[Sling Shot]

I think that if you carried a freshly charged battery bank you'll be much better off than dorking around with a solar charger. A decent and depleted battery bank can be charged in your car between stops if you have a fast charge USB cigarette lighter attachment you can charge most phones in an hour.

Oh, and pay no attention to the ridiculous the HUGE mAH claims on battery banks. It's rare to see 16,000 REAL mAH on battery banks and the best may charge a modern phone four to five times.

I have to look at my options , its possible I might be traveling on rural buses so being my own man and self sufficent might be the ticket . Gnappi thanks for the input its certainly a viable solution .

 

[Sling Shot]

I agree that a small battery pack is a good way to go. I've used a small lipstick sized battery so I didn't have to search for an outlet in airports. They can easily charge a phone multiple times and recharge easily while driving or someplace that offers electricity. I suppose even by solar. Be sure to check the compatibility with your phone.

I should have talked to you guys a year ago , I have been down to central America twice this year . I could have been trying out these solutions , you guys are good thinkers . I appreciate the input .

Thanks Coach . !

 

[NC FNS]

From Nord's website:

"VPNs are illegal in North Korea, Belarus, Oman, Iraq, and Turkmenistan. In some other countries, including China, Russia, Türkiye, UAE, India, Iran, Egypt, and Uganda, only government-approved VPNs are legal, but these might allow the authorities to monitor users."

Looks like you're ok in S America.

"Might"? Ha ha ha ha!

 

[Johnny-Baseball]

If you're truly in a "remote area," you likely won't have cell service. So your solar powered charger will only allow you to look at your phone's saved pictures.

Now a satellite phone would still be operable. FWIW

 

[blume357]

Another sideways idea... back in the Fall of 2019 my wife and I did a trip to the Black Hills and the Bad lands in South Dakota. when we got there and to our first hotel I realized I had not brought the charger for my phone... for the next 4 or 5 days before we drove back by Rapid City... my solution was to just turn my phone off and keep it off until I needed to check messages or such. I'm amazed that many people are still old school and feel they must answer a phone... even if it's somebody I know I often won't answer unless I have the the time at that exact moment and actually feel like talking to them then.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Another option would be one of the little battery packs that are cell phone size or even a bit smaller. They will usually hold at least two full cell phone charges.

 

[Sling Shot]

Another sideways idea... back in the Fall of 2019 my wife and I did a trip to the Black Hills and the Bad lands in South Dakota. when we got there and to our first hotel I realized I had not brought the charger for my phone... for the next 4 or 5 days before we drove back by Rapid City... my solution was to just turn my phone off and keep it off until I needed to check messages or such. I'm amazed that many people are still old school and feel they must answer a phone... even if it's somebody I know I often won't answer unless I have the the time at that exact moment and actually feel like talking to them then.

Blume thanks for the response , I value the input of everyone who replied , the last 4 days the election has dominated my life .
I just wanted to tell you I am old school , If you decide to call me .
It's almost a given I will answer . And I as well turn off my phone in useless areas like on a airplane , etc. ..I would also like to add I hope your trip to the Dakotas was awesome .

 

[JohnL]

I bought a Sat Phone just before the whole 2001 catastrophe and Gulf War. The company prioritized calls for military use and first responders. I was able to use it briefly like at 0200 or so. They may have more satellites now and I ought to charge it up and reconnect with the service. Since that time, Cell phone service has improved greatly and much of our national forest has coverage.

 

[Sling Shot]

I bought a Sat Phone just before the whole 2001 catastrophe and Gulf War. The company prioritized calls for military use and first responders. I was able to use it briefly like at 0200 or so. They may have more satellites now and I ought to charge it up and reconnect with the service. Since that time, Cell phone service has improved greatly and much of our national forest has coverage.

I have been waiting on elon musks phone to appear with starlink capability , I plan on spending the majority of next year in Panama , with some short weekend trips to costa rica , just so I can say I went there . The Northern parts of south America are a no go for me . The chilean coastline , Buenos Aires , Argentina ,...Paraguay ,...Uruguay , are the places that interest me , so I will explore those areas...

 

[gnappi]

Slingshot, before you jump on a single phone recharge power solution be aware that solar power needs full sun at the optimal tilt angle towards the sun to get anywhere its rated wattage output. Most portable solar chargers are of the flexible type which in my experience with a 100 watt model I bought for my not often used truck degrade in output the more you flex them.

If your phone is a fairly current model to charge in a reasonable amount of time you need to be aware that USB is not one version. USB C QC 3.0 can deliver 5 amps but USB 3.x can only deliver less than 1 amp and cables for USB 3 connected to a USB C charging device can still only deliver less than an amp. Also even higher current capable USB cables degrade with many flex cycles and can lower charge rate as they age.

The bottom line with solar is there's no free lunch, lighter smaller more "backpackable" low wattage units will likely disappoint you so if you must rely on solar get the largest you can manage to carry AND a battery bank to charge for when you're near AC power.