Souped-Up Camp Stove Serves Up Device Power on the Side

Small, lightweight and efficient solar panels coupled with lithium batteries are making inroads into the outdoors market as a solution for charging mobile devices. Flexible solar panels check many boxes, not least seductiveness. However, if you've tried them, you'll know there are drawbacks. Solar charging can take time -- even if you're often in full sun, you can be hiking through tree canopy with the panel tied to your pack, and shade interrupts the job. In inclement weather, the battery might not charge at all.