Back-up chargers for smartphone-toting nomads

The Waka Waka solar charger. Photo: AFP

In this season full of long drives, walks in the woods and all-day sunbathing, it's a shame to let your phone to run out of juice, cutting you off from the rest of the world. Luckily for summer travelers and adventurers, there are a number of alternatives to the traditional wall plug-in

chargers.

Car chargersA convenient option for vacationers spending a lot of time at the wheel, car chargers fit into a car's cigarette lighter and users can take advantage of the drive to charge their device. With prices starting at around US$5, car chargers are efficient and easy to use. When purchasing one not made by the phone manufacturer (Samsung, HTC, Blackberry, etc.), pay close attention to compatibility. Not all car chargers work with the iPhone, for example. Recharging on the road is even simpler when your vehicle is equipped with a USB port: no need to buy a charger, just plug in the USB cable that comes with most smartphones.
Solar chargersFor the environmentally conscious, there are solutions for recharging your phone with little to no carbon footprint. The solar option frees smartphone users from the necessity of finding a power outlet as long as there is access to the sun's rays. The Waka Waka Power charger, for example, recently hit the market thanks to Kickstarter funding and is now available for US$79.
Wind-up chargersFor those looking for an environmentally-friendly charger that doesn't depend on the weather -- sunny or not -- wind-up chargers are a good bet. You may have to put in a little physical effort, but you'll have peace of mind in knowing you can recharge in any situation. In this vein, the Eton dynamo charger is available at around US$80.
External batteries