Gift Beta - Compact Solar Charger

Today's outdoors Christmas gift suggestion could be ideal for anyone who likes their outdoorsy gadgets - it's the Freeloader Pico, a compact combined solar and USB-powered charger that you can use to refresh, phones, MP3 players, GPS units and other gadgets on the hill.

The Pico's a neat little unit weighing just 60 grammes or so and housing a small lithium ion battery. The idea is that you can charge it up on the trail using the small, integrated solar panel or at home from a USB port on your computer.

Because the panel is so compact, it takes around ten hours to charge the 800 mAh Li-ion battery pack fully, so best kept for sunny climes we reckon, but the USB charging process takes just three hours. The unit comes with a USB lead and a selection of adaptors to suit most mobile phones. Or you can simply use the device's own USB lead if needed. There's a four-LED display to show just how much power there is left in the Pico.

It should take about 20 minute or so to charge up your phone and give it a new lease of life. Yes, there are bigger, more efficient solar chargers out there, including some from Pico-maker Solar Technology, but the Pico is an affordable £16.99.

More details at www.solartechnology.co.uk. UK distrubutors are Burton McCall: www.burton-mccall.co.uk.