Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

Gear Reviews

Freeplay FreeCharge 12V

Emergency Power

Freeplay FreeCharge 12V


Add your own muscle power to this portable cranker and you can power anything that plugs into a 12V cigarette lighter–cell phone, GPS, camera batteries and more. Three minutes of turning the handle generates about eleven minutes of talk time on most cell phones. If you want to charge dead batteries in your GPS, plan on burning some calories by the campfire. There is no internal battery, so the device doesn’t charge unless you’re turning the handle, making it best suited for emergency needs. An indicator light let’s you kno w if you’re cranking at the optimal turn rate. $40; 9 oz.; 5″x2″x2″; freeplayenergy.com.

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. We do not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy.