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Fun in the sun with Secur’s Solar Media Player (Review)
Solar Media Player SP-5000
Secur Products
$49.99 MSRP
If you’re like me, I play music on my iPhone–a lot. Seriously, I connect it to my car’s stereo, to earbuds at work, or to a Bluetooth speaker when I’m outside messing with my plants or partaking in the never-ending task of weeding the flower beds. The problem with most music playing options is that they are a terrible drain on your phone battery. Plus the battery in the speaker also drains during music play. I might enjoy two hours-ish of continuous music playing with a standard Bluetooth speaker when I’m outside. The folks at Secur Products have solved this problem with a solar-powered, water-resistant media player, the SP-5000 Solar Media Player (SP-5000).
Not only can you get continuous music for as long as the unit is in the sun, your phone is safe inside the water-resistant case. Now I don’t have to leave my phone and Bluetooth speaker on the back porch far away from where I am in my fairly large back yard. I have to turn the speaker up so loud on standard Bluetooth speakers that it disturbs the neighbors who apparently have nothing better to do than to complain about my loud music. After all, I play good stuff and they should just enjoy it–it’s free. I digress, but you get the point.
The SP-5000 can sit closer to me and I don’t have to worry about a little dirt or even a little water that might accidentally drip onto it. I can also arrange the case so that the speakers point toward me for better (and lower) volumes, so that I don’t disturb my neighbor’s beauty sleep, groundbreaking scientific experiments, or focus on their great American novel efforts.
The SP-5000 charges itself while in the sun while you’re playing music instead of draining its battery too. If your phone battery begins to fade, you can plug it into the power adapter and charge/power your phone while you play music–all for free thanks to the sun’s abundant energy resources.
Product Details:
• Stereo speakers and amplifier
• Rainproof, dustproof, shock proof smart phone case
• Solar powered power bank
• Power bank charges speakers as well as smart phones
• Includes USB and stereo connectors
• Works with most MP3 players and smart phones including the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S5
• Includes carabiner for hanging
• Stereo Media Player – lets you play music from your smart phone or MP3 player
• Solar Powered Amplifier and Power Bank – charges by the sun
• Rainproof Protective Case Protects Your Smart Phone – perfect for the outdoors
Why it’s Frugal: The SP-5000 Solar Media Player is frugal because it not only protects your phone from the “elements,” but being in the sun is good for it. It charges your phone, protects your phone, and is a mobile music center all in one neat little, well-made package. At $50, it’s a steal–I mean, a frugal choice.
This product isn’t Bluetooth, so don’t be confused by my mention of Bluetooth speakers. You have to plug the attached 3.5mm jack into your phone, power on the unit, and then power on the speakers.
One reason that I say that the SP-5000 is frugal, although I often complain about product pricing, is that this unit is only $50. Most, if not all, Bluetooth speakers, that offer no charging feature and no protection for your phone. So, really you’re getting a very tough case, multiple cables, a solar charger, and two, 3Watt speakers for very little cash. If that’s not frugal, then please spend more money for a lesser product.
Nerd Stuff/Technical Details:
• 2000 mAh power bank
• 5.5V/70 mA solar panel
• DC input – 500 mA
• DC output – 500 mA
• 2 x 3 watt stereo speakers
• Battery charge indicator
• Water resistant protective case – IPX 64
• Size 7.28″ x 3.74” x 1.77″
• 8.3 oz
The Secur Solar Media Player SP-5000 is a well-made, quality product that is three products in one: media player (speakers), a protective case, and a charger. I’m not sure what else you can ask for in its price range.
Rating: 10/10
Recommendation: It’s a great product at an excellent price and if you ever listen to music outside, you need this. Strong buy.
About Secur Products
Secur Products is dedicated to constant product development and technological innovation to produce leading edge products for emergency preparedness, outdoor sports, portable power solutions and alternative energy. Secur Products is a division of Maverick Industries, Inc. based in Edison, New Jersey. For over 30 years, Maverick has been a leading manufacturer and distributor of household electronics and electric appliances.
Secur Sun Power Bank 4000 (Review)
Secur Sun Power Bank 4000 Portable Charger
Secur Products
A division of Maverick Industries, Inc.
$69.00 estimated
When I first saw a note about the Secur Sun Power Bank 4000, my curiosity piqued. “A solar-powered charger for my various gadgetry,” I queried to myself. Could it really be? Well, I had to find out for myself and report to you on my findings.
The Secur Sun Power Bank 4000 (4000) is approximately the same size and weight as an Android phone. The dimensions make it easy to carry or to stow away in a small bag. You can plug into the charger using your mini USB connector or you can use the built-in one. It’s a matter of convenience and space as to which one you use. For Apple device users, you have to carry along a charger cable to plug into the device’s standard USB port.
Remember to press the On/Off button on the bottom of the unit or your device won’t charge.
DETAILED FEATURES:
- High Efficiency Solar Panel
- High capacity lithium polymer battery – 4000 mAh
- Built-in full size male USB cable and plug
- Built-in male micro USB cable and plug
- Female USB port for charging any digital devices
- Built in micro USB for charging via USB power sources
- LED light indicator for current battery charge
To charge the unit fully, you plug it into a computer’s USB port via the built-in standard USB cable. Alternatively, you can place the unit in direct sunlight to charge it via its high-efficiency solar panel.
As intriguing as it sounds to have a solar-powered battery charger, it’s not all that practical when recharging the charging unit itself. You’ll probably plug it into your computer for a full charge, which requires four (4) hours. The reason that using the sun isn’t practical for recharging the unit is that it requires 14 to 18 hours of full and direct sunlight to a full charge. I suppose that you could leave it on the dashboard of your car while you’re at work or in school and hope for a half charge when you’re ready use it.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
- High Efficiency Solar Panel – 5.5V/280mA
- 21.5% efficiency
- High Capacity Lithium Battery – 3.7volts/4000 mAh
- Micro USB Input – 5V/1A
- USB Output – 5V/2.1A
- Charging time via USB input – 4 hours
- Charging time via built-in solar panel – 14 – 18 hours – Full Sunlight
- 3″ x 5″ x .5″
- 6 oz.
That minor flaw aside, if you’re in a real power pinch and you’re also in the sun, you can use the 4000 to power your phone while you make an emergency call. As a charger, the 4000 is cool. As a solar-powered charger, it’s about average. Solar cells haven’t really made the efficiency leap that’s required for today’s power-guzzling gadgets. Maybe in a few years the battery charging technology and the battery-sucking technology will meet in a better place.
The lack of solar cell efficiency isn’t the fault of the manufacturer; it’s just a technological shortfall. It will get better (more efficient) and less expensive to use solar.
Why it’s frugal: For an estimated $70, the 4000 isn’t all that frugal unless you live in a place that gets a lot of sunlight or you do as I suggested and leave it on the dash of your car to power up. As a standard portable charger the 4000 is fine, but a little pricey. It’s frugality is mostly based on your access to the sun for recharging and your need for “off the grid” power.
I once owned a “solar” calculator that I loved. It lasted for more than 15 years. In fact, I might still have it somewhere in the garage. Solar-powered devices rarely die. The advantage my calculator had was that it really wasn’t bound to the sun for power. That would have been downright silly–that the only place I could use it was outside when I really needed it inside. Thank goodness it was photon-powered and not just solar-powered. If you don’t know the difference, this isn’t the place to learn it, sorry.
The bottom line here for the Secur Sun Power Bank 4000 is that it’s a clever device. It’s well-designed. If you’re a camper, hunter, beach-goer, or truster of things left visibly in the sun, then the 4000 is a jackpot for you–you can totally survive with your gadgetry in an off-the-grid fashion. For some people that’s really important.
If you ignore the whole solar thing, unless you really need it, the 4000 is still a good portable source of power. It’s lightweight, clever built-in cord design, and cell phone sizing makes it a nice companion for you on-the-go types.
Rating: 7.5/10
Recommendation: This is your chance to go “green” and to spend some time in the sun.
Techopedia
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The Frugal Networker 
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