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Sidewinder Emergency Cell Phone Charger | 
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| Manufacturer: Innovative Solutions and Tech
Category: Wireless
Buy New: $29.99
Rating:  4 reviews
Media: Wireless Phone Accessory
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
ASIN: B0001WAYP8
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
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| Features:
| • | Light weight - Portable - Durable - Compact | | • | A Real Innovative Life Saver! | | • | Compatible with Most Phones | | • | Comes with 6 adapters - Delivers 6.2 volts of power | | • | Powers your cell phone for a 6 minute call with only 2 minutes of cranking! |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
More than just a nifty gadget, the tiny, hand-cranked Innovative Solutions and Technology Sidewinder Cell Phone Charger can be a real life saver. Great for the backcountry.Features: This pocket-sized charger can charge your cell phone battery enough to power a six-minute emergency conversation with just two minutes of hand cranking. Delivers 6.2 volts of power and is safe for all phones since its voltage is regulated. Includes 6 adapters to fit most phones of the following brands: Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson, Kyocera-Samsung and Audiovox . Phone not included. Specifications: Weight: 2.5 ounces. Material: Plastic.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Good as long as you know that... August 17, 2006
P. Anderson
26 out of 26 found this review helpful
This is a good product with a couple of major quirks. Electronically it seems to perform flawlessly. Design wise it's another matter. First the minor stuff. It's made of a smooth semitransparent plastic that is very nice, but the unit is small and must be firmly gripped in the left hand while cranked with the right. They could have molded some texture into the casing to make it easier to maintain a firm grip. Granted, it's not a problem under controlled conditions, but the unit is small (a plus) and could be hard to hold under emergency conditions (say the power is out and with no AC you are sweating like a pig).
Now to a real gotcha. The unit has a cable that plugs into the charger and directly into Nokia phones. The Nokia end of the cable also plugs into any of four adapters that come with it, allowing its use with a multitude of phones. The adapters are marked with black on white tape identifying what phone they are to be used with. One end of the cable is similarly marked as being for "Nokia or adapter". The problem is that the cable I received has THE WRONG END marked thus. I put this down to quality control, but I purchased a second SideWinder from a different source six weeks later (presumably from a different batch) and it was mismarked in exactly the same manner. Here's the problem... the plug for the Nokia and the one for the charger have identical external dimensions, but the inner pin for the Nokia is smaller. So you can reverse the cable (i.e. use it as mismarked) and the marked end will fit the adapters, but not make connection. The unmarked end will not go into the charger, as the pin is too large. Force it (i.e. assume it is meant to work as mismarked) and you will either bend the pin in the charger jack, or break the jack loose and force it back into the charger. Either would render the charger inop. Here's the odd thing... the entire problem could have been avoided by installing the same size jack in the charger as the Nokia phone uses. This would mean the cable would be identical on both ends and essentially foolproof... you couldn't hook it up wrong. Why they didn't do this is anybody's guess. The only thing I can say with certainty is that wasn't due to size constraints as the plugs have an identical outer diameter.
So... once I figured this out I was able to charge my Motorola V551 as advertised. None of the included adapters worked with my wife's phone (LG L1400) but an optional adapter is offered, so I ordered two. Neither would charge the L1400. The charger "gears down" as if it is producing power, but the phone does nothing (while turned on, or off). Additionally, the charging plug for the LG L1400 locks in place by means of a metal hook (or catch) on each side. These retract flush when a small release (button) is squeezed on each side of the plug, allowing the plug to be easily removed. The problem is that the catches on these adapters do not retract flush, with the result that it is almost impossible to remove these adapter plugs from the L1400. Let me add that after 3 minutes of squeezing hard and wiggling the first plug back and forth and finally getting it to come out, I foolishly inserted the second plug which also would not charge the L1400 and was just as hard to remove. Don't buy this L1400 adapter until they fix it.
I can't say how the SideWinder works with any other phones. My success rate was 50%, but it does work as advertised with my Motorola V551. I really wanted to like this product, and it does have a lot going for it... it just needs a little tweaking. Good luck.
Good Charger in an emergency. November 7, 2006
G. Ward (Queens, NY USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
If your phone is dead in the middle of nowhere, this is the best product EVER!! Carrying this tiny charger is a nice insurance policy against a completely drained battery.
If you want to save a few dollars on your electricity bill, you will need some strong wrists. This charger requires several minutes of winding to be effective. It's good in a pinch, but it won't replace your AC powered charger at home.
 Does not work on MANY PHONES! January 2, 2008
A. Buchanan
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This charger has adapters for older phones. Does not work on a Motorola razor or chocolate. I would recommend buying this in person. In addition, the company online components will not accept an exchange if the package has been opened. Without opening it, you have no way of seeing if the adapter fits. Don't waste your time or money here!
If you are opposed to sport hunting, think twice! October 13, 2007
D. Atkins (Chicago, Il)
4 out of 29 found this review helpful
We were shocked to learn that the makers of this product, Innovative Solutions And Tech (ITS), also produce hunting gear. We are opposed to sport hunting in any form, so we passed on the Sidewinder. If you have a conscience about this sort of thing, you may want to consider a different product as well.
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(c) 2008 Blasted Consulting, www.blasted.com | |
