Go green with the Solar Vest

Kelvin Low | Jul 02, 2009

Babe magnet: The Solar Vest (Credit: Chinavasion)

At first glance we thought it was just another photographer's equipment canvas vest right until we noticed the words "SOLAR VEST" printed on the back in a humongous font size.

Consisting of four solar panels capable of generating a total 6W of green electricity, the power is used to charge an 8,800mAh battery which is kept in a vest pocket. The battery features a 5V, 6V, 9V and 12-20V selectable output.

If the sun doesn't shine, the vest also ships with an AC adapter that will charge the battery instead. Device support seems pretty abundant with eight power plug adapters and seven device connectors (although the site did not specifically state what devices they're meant for, we think they're phone power adapters from the pictures). The battery is capable of charging laptops as well given its 20V output limit, and includes a USB socket should you have devices that charge via USB.

Other features on the vest include eight front pockets, a back pocket with zipper and velcro fasteners. Chinavasion claims that the solar panels are weatherproof, but not the battery. Light indicators on the battery tell the user how much charge is left--green for 80 percent capacity, orange for 30 to 70 percent, and red when it's going to run out.

Unlike the stylish yet functional Mao-inspired laptop cooler, Chinavasion has come up with something really useful, but we're knocking some style points off for the huge "SOLAR VEST" fonts. But hey, we could always use some iron-on patches for extra coolness.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Kelvin Low is CNET Asia's very own go-to intern for Music & Play. When he's not fiddling with gadgets or setting up new PC rigs, he can be found hitting the dirt tracks on his mountain bike. Kelvin is currently studying mass communications at Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. Email Kelvin.

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