The Matthias Chronicles

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 2:59 PM

Sweet "Green" products

by Mar Matthias Darin

I covered some ways to go "green" without killing your wallet here. Well, I decided to give a review on some of these green goodies. Let me tell you, there are a lot of ways to save money with solar products and I can tell you from personal experience, they are worth it.

Best of all you don't even need to deal with the Global Warming debate. The bottom line here is solar products can save you money, both in the short term and in the long term.

So here are some solar products I found that are worth a look and even purchasing.

First up, this item is for ever parent that has kids loaded with battery hungry gadgets and toys. its a solar powered battery charger that charges 4 "D" - "C" - "AA" - "AAA" batteries. Some might scoff at the price (about $70 US), but take a second or two and think about how much you spend every time you buy a pack of batteries. This baby will pay for itself and then some.

This unit will charge four equivalent D C AA AAA sized batteries at any one time. It includes an adjustable stand to assist in positioning for the best angle toward the sun. Can also be used indoors when placed in direct sunlight through a south-facing window. Bright sunlight is not necessary for this unit to work properly, but it obviously works faster when available. Overcast days are fine but it increases the time necessary to recharge the batteries completely.

• Charges 4pcs of NIMH or NiCad "D"/"C"/"AA"/"AAA" size rechargeable batteries
• With all weather durable fibre glass board 7V solar panel
• Charges mobile phones, portable game systems, radio/cassette player, torch/lantern and toys ..... etc
• A blocking diode is built into the circuit to prevent the reverse flow of electricity
• Full set of multi-plug and cable wire is provided for easy connection to many appliances

Second, Joggers, runners, or anyone that spends time outside will love this wonderful little jewel. Its the Soltronix Solar Headset AM/FM Stereo Solar Radio. Where was this a few years back? When I think about how many double A's my headset ate, I could of really used this sweet little pick. My headset was chewing up batteries on the average of a pack every 3 or 4 days. This radio is a serious money saver.

The Soltronix HR-1® Solar-Rechargeable Stereo FM/AM Headphone Radio. Soltronix uses the PowerFilmTM breakthrough portable power system that eliminates the inconvenience and cost of replacing batteries... Patented ultra-light, durable solar module designed from NASA spin-off technology... Automatically recharges itself when in sunlight, even while listening... When fully charged the headphones will play for more than 20 hours inside or outside... 1 hour of charge in full sunlight provides 1-3 hours of listening... High Quality and Comfortable to wear with adjustable Dual headband for added comfort... Extended Bass selector for superior quality sound... Internal antenna for powerful reception ... Environmentally Friendly - eliminates unnecessary battery waste... NiMH battery contains no lead or cadmium. Designed for Your Everyday World... Sporting Events... Walking/Running... Hunting/Fishing... Gardening/Lawn Care...

• Solar Panel Recharges Batteries in the Sun
• Adjustable for Fit
• Great Sound
• Durable

My Third and final pick for the day is a Casio G-Shock Solar watch. I've had mine for about a year now and I love it. These babies are rugged and stylish. I am always banging up against something and having to replace the crystals in my watches. This is the first watch I've had that can actually take a beating and not scratch up, break, or in some form, mangle. There are many style to choose from:

Hope you like today's "green" picks. I will be reviewing more great products as time goes on. With oil prices going up ($200 a barrel as of today), adding "green" products to your lifestyle is pretty much becoming a requirement in saving money.

If you know of some good "green" money saving products, feel free to let me know and remember, going green can be done without going broke.