We have all seen the myriad solar chargers available like the Solio Mono reviewed here, and they are great eco instruments. But some of you may live in a stormy area with long periods of darkness like Canada or Scandinavia. Or maybe you just want something a bit different. Then consider the wind powered HYmini hand held charger. This green gadget can transfer 1000mAh of stored power to other 5V devices. And the ratio of acquisition to utilization time is about equal to a hand held solar charger. 20 minutes of wind equals about 30 minutes of mp3 player use.
The HYmini comes packaged with a USB 2.0 transfer cable, 5 adapter tips and a DC wall adapter to ensure maximum charging versatility. You can use the included USB cable or the original manufacturer’s to charge your devices. If you need to charge a variety of devices at once or are on a long trip where you can’t rely on the weather, then the HYmini can also be used as a standard wall plug adapter. Connect HYmini’s included outlet adapter to the DC jack and you can then use the USB transfer cable to connect your mobile devices with HYmini’s USB 2.0 outlet. This way, rather than bringing a separate charger for each of your devices, the HYmini can take care of all your other green gadgets even when a traditional outlet is your only option.
The HYmini can also be outfitted with an adapter for “active wind generation.” When cruising on your bike or moped or even skiing down the slopes, the adapter will allow you to capture all that wind energy rushing past you and turn it into talk time or your favorite tunes. A safety feature only allows the HYmini to capture wind under 40 mph, so you won’t be able to hang it out the window on a highway, but placing it on the dash with a couple windows open should do the trick.
However, keep in mind that even the greenest of gadgets are not always the most eco friendly option. If you buy this gadget simply for the sake of having it, then it will take you the entire life of the HYmini just to offset the energy it took only to deliver it to you (even after UPS implements their new electric trucks). Devices like this only help the environment when purchased as an alternative to another product. If you are purchasing a wall adapter that can charge all of your electronics anyway, then this is a great buy both for its utility and its environmental friendliness.
$49.99 and available in black, white or green. Bike and armband holder as well as a variety of special adapters also sold at the HYmini online store.
