The Cheapskate

If you're serious about rechargeable batteries, and saving money on disposables, this charging kit can't be beat.

(Credit: Amazon)

A battery charger is essential gear for any household with a game console (those controllers burn through AA's like nobody's business), childrens' toys, or anything else battery-powered.

Because, let's face it, you'll pay a lot more in the long haul for disposable batteries than you will for a good charger and some rechargeable batteries.

Of course, a good charger--one with features such as a heat monitor and status LCD--can cost you upward of $70 or more--batteries not included.

Today only, Amazon has the La Crosse BC-9009 AlphaPower Battery Charger for $34.99 shipped. And in addition to the kick-ass charger, you get four AA rechargeables, four AAA's, adapters for C and D cells, and a travel case.

What makes the BC-9009 so special? Start with four independent status displays, one for each of its four slots. They can cycle through stats like charge rate, discharge rate, elapsed time, and total battery capacity.

The charger also includes a heat monitor to prevent overcharging. And buyers certainly seem to like it: nearly 650 reviewers rated it 4.5 stars out of 5 on average.

Looks like a perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for person (or blogger) in your life. I'm just hoping this doesn't sell out in five minutes like everything else I post these days. Dang holiday season!

Backup deal: It's that time of year when we clear out some space on the ol' iPod to make room for the holiday playlist. If yours is a little, well, played out, Amazon MP3 has Diana Krall's "Christmas Songs" album for just $2.99. It's a digital download, of course, in DRM-free, universally compatible MP3 format. Perfect for cozy nights by the fire.

It's not very glamorous, but this battery pack delivers iPhone power on the cheap.

(Credit: Meritline)

The older your iPhone gets, the worse its battery performs. Don't blame Apple: it's just the nature of rechargeable batteries that they wear out over time.

Sadly, you can't just swap in a new one--not without some warranty-voiding surgery. But you can plug in external power, which is cheap, easy, and affordable.

For example, Meritline has an 1800mAh iPhone backup battery for $9.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code MLC262531102717A (which expires Oct. 29) at checkout.

The standard iPhone 3G battery has an 1150mAh capacity, meaning this plug-in pack should afford at least 50 percent more runtime all by itself. You can use it for emergency power if your battery's on empty or to recharge your iPhone on the go.

And, hey, 10 bucks? Grab a couple. Throw one in the glove box, another in your coat pocket, etc. That way you'll always have backup power when you need it.

This battery pack is compatible with all iPhone and iPod Touch models. Keep in mind that because it ships from Hong Kong, it could take a couple weeks to reach your mailbox.

The Grabit 3-in-1 not only holsters your iPhone, but also recharges it.

(Credit: Geeks.com)

The Grabit 3-in-1 is a belt-clip case. It's a battery pack. And it's a kickstand for easy iPhone viewing. (It may also make julienne fries--I'll have to double-check on that.)

Geeks.com has the Grabit 3-in-1 iPhone holster for $19.99, the lowest price I've seen anywhere.

Alas, shipping will run you a fairly ridiculous $9, but you can save a couple bucks by applying coupon code GEEKBERT at checkout.

The Grabit features a swiveling, spring-loaded belt clip that can pop out to hold your iPhone upright on a flat surface. (It should also do well at horizontal positioning for movies and the like.)

The real trick up the Grabit's sleeve is its 1,050-mAh battery pack, which effectively doubles your iPhone's battery life.

The pack doubles as a rubberized, quick-release holster--one simple press of the upper clip and you can pull the iPhone free.

(If you want to see more and better photos, check out this listing on eBay--where the Grabit is selling for $29.98, plus $5 shipping.)

The only real downside I can see is that the Grabit keeps the iPhone facing outward, making it more susceptible to accidental damage. On the other hand, an inward-facing design would eliminate the kickstand advantages.

Also, there's no mention of iPhone 3GS compatibility, though I'm not sure why. Most other iPhone/iPhone 3G-compatible battery packs also support the 3GS. My guess is this one would work, though it's just that: a guess. (If anyone knows for sure, please say so in the comments!)

This isn't the only product of its kind. Case-Mate offers a similar battery extender/belt-clip case, but it sells for $79.99--and doesn't pull kickstand duty.

For about $27 out the door (with shipping and the aforementioned coupon code), this seems like a pretty sweet accessory for iPhone owners. I'm seriously considering getting one myself.

No power? No problem. The APC 550VA battery backup will keep you running for up to an hour.

(Credit: APC)

If you're using a notebook and there's a sudden power outage, no problem: The battery will let you keep on workin'.

Desktop users aren't so lucky, which is why it's essential to plug everything into a battery backup (aka uninterruptible power supply). If the lights go out, you'll still have a few minutes in which to save your work and safely power down the machine.

Best Buy has an APC 550VA Battery Backup System for $39.99 shipped. It includes a total of eight outlets, all of them surge-protected and four powered by the 330-watt battery.

The 550VA promises up to 65 minutes of runtime, depending on the power demands of your hardware. It also has phone/fax/modem and USB ports to keep that gear from getting fried.

APC offers a $75,000 equipment-protection policy, meaning if your gear does get zapped while plugged into the 550VA, the company will reimburse you.

As someone who works at a desktop nearly every day, and who has lost work due to sudden power outages, I consider a battery backup essential equipment. Normally they're a lot pricier, so I'm liking this deal a lot.

Need lots more power for your iPhone? This 1,900mAh power pack should keep it running all day.

(Credit: Meritline)

Update: Looks like this is sold out already. You can find what looks to be an identical battery (in black) for $17.99 from HandHelditems--where you'll also find some very positive user reviews.

Until Apple sees fit to outfit iPhones and iPods with user-replaceable batteries (meaning never), travelers have no choice but to pack battery packs.

After all, the last thing you want in the middle of your playlist, movie, game, e-book, or audiobook is a dead battery. (It's not real convenient when you need to make a call, either.)

Meritline has a Mobile Power Station Battery for iPhone and iPod for $9.99. That's after applying coupon code MLC262362. Shipping is free.

What's the big deal about this particular battery? In a word: capacity. The Mobile Power Station packs a 1,900mAh lithium ion cell, which should power your device for--let's see, carry the one--ever.

OK, not forever, but a mighty long time. To put this in some perspective, the $10.99 iPhone battery pack I wrote up last April has an 800mAh battery. The $80 Energizer AP1500 I reviewed last month tops out at 1,200mAh.

Needless to say, a 1,900mAh battery should outlast them all. And for only 10 bucks! (I might just grab two.)

A couple caveats. First, Meritline ships from Hong Kong, so plan on waiting a good two weeks or so for delivery. Second, I've heard from several readers who aren't happy with Meritline's customer service, mostly because of lost or delayed shipments. I've never had a problem with them, but I wanted to pass along the concerns.

Of course, if you're looking for supplemental power because your iPhone barely lasts a day anymore, consider replacing its internal battery. That's something you can do yourself for as little as $6.

What do you think? Is this the battery deal of the century (hey, it's been a fairly short century), or does it sound too good to be true?

Get two emergency-power packs for your phone for less than the price of one.

(Credit: Woot)

Today only, Woot.com is offering two Cellboost disposable chargers for $2.99, plus $5 for shipping.

If you're not familiar with Woot, they offer a different deal every day--and frequently sell out of the featured product.

If you're not familiar with Cellboost, it's a disposable battery pack that powers and recharges portable devices.

In this case, it powers and recharges any device with a mini-USB port--namely most BlackBerry and Motorola phones. (Here's a complete list of compatible models.)

I've used Cellboosts before; they're insanely handy for those times when your phone battery dies and there's not an AC outlet or cigarette lighter in sight. Throw one in the glove box, another in your purse or briefcase, etc., and you'll never be without emergency power.

When you've used up the power packs, please take them to a recycling center for proper disposal, just like any other battery. End of eco-sermon!

If you don't mind seeing your iPhone's guts splayed out, it's fairly easy to replace its battery.

(Credit: Rapid Repair)

It's a sad fact of life: iPhone batteries wear out. Most users learn this about 18 months after they buy one, when the phone can barely last a day without running out of juice. Sadder still: With iPhones sealed up tighter than an astronaut's flight suit, there's no easy way to replace a worn-out battery.

But there is a way. In fact, if your iPhone is out of warranty anyway (and at 18 months it undoubtedly is, unless you extended it) and you're reasonably handy with small tools, you can swap in a fresh, longer-lasting new battery. Your cost: As little as $6.

Start with the battery itself. Meritline sells a iPhone 3G-compatible 1600mAh battery for $5.99 shipped. The standard 3G battery has a capacity of 1150mAh, so in theory the replacement should give you about 50 percent more runtime.

Now it's time for some surgery. The iPhone may look airtight, but a little careful prying with an X-Acto knife (or similar tool) will get the case open.

To see how, check the nicely illustrated iPhone 3G Repair Guide at Rapid Repair. Once you hit Step 10, just swap in the new battery and close everything up. That's really all there is to it.

Well, almost. I've got a few caveats, starting with that warranty thing again: Opening up your iPhone will void your warranty. So will installing a third-party battery. This isn't a big deal if the warranty's already expired, but if it hasn't, take your iPhone to Apple. I understand they're good about dealing with battery issues.

The real caveat is that unless you're comfortable with tiny tools and electronics, you may want to hire a professional for this. It just so happens that Rapid Repair can do the job.

In fact, they have a pretty nice deal: $39.99 buys you a "lifetime battery," meaning Rapid Repair will replace it for you every 12 months. You'll also have to pay a one-time installation fee of $29.99 and cover shipping costs. Still, it's way cheaper than a new iPhone--and a bum battery is a chief reason people buy replacements.

Given that my 3G hasn't had its first birthday yet (it's a mere seven months old), I've yet to attempt a battery replacement myself. But when the time comes, I'll almost certainly rise to the challenge.

I've replaced iPod and Zune batteries before, and both times were a piece of cake. I've got to assume this isn't much tougher. If you've tried this option, let me know how it went!

Why spend $49 on Apple's charging dock when you can get one for 6 bucks?

(Credit: Meritline)

Tired of your iPhone's USB cable flopping all over your desk? Wish your handset could sit upright while it's charging? Sounds like you need a dock. Unfortunately, Apple charges a whopping $49 for its Universal Dock. Surely there's an alternative for cheapskates?

There is! Meritline has an iPhone charging dock for just $5.99, shipping included. (From Hong Kong, no less!) It normally sells for $15.99, already a good deal compared with Apple's product.

Granted, this dock doesn't come with a remote, nor a bunch of dock adapters for charging various iPods. However, although Meritline's product page doesn't specifically mention the Touch, Nano, etc., my semi-educated guess is that this dock will have no problem charging them. (If it can charge a 3G, it should be able to handle anything with a dock connector.)

The dock does have the same kind of line-out port as Apple's, so you can plug in headphones, speakers, etc.

And there you have it! There's not much more to say, other than "I just ordered one." Docks are decidedly handy to have around, and for 6 bucks, how can you go wrong?

Do you need power for your cell phone, MP3 player, digital camera, and other portable gadgets? Our friend Mr. Sun has an endless supply (well, not endless--5 billion years and kaput!). What you need is a way to harness those rays and turn them into energy you can use.

GoldenGadgets has just such a harness: the Portable Hybrid Solar Charger, currently on sale for $19.99--shipping will run you about $5.

What makes it a "hybrid" charger? Simple: It can draw energy from the sun (8-10 hours buys you a full charge--bad news for those of us who live in Michigan, where we're lucky to get 8-10 minutes of sun. Hey-oh!) or from a USB source like your PC, which does the job in about 4 hours.

The charger comes with a generous assortment of tips: BlackBerry, Motorola, Nokia, Mini-USB, USB, and iPod/iPhone. (Unless my eyes deceive me, there's also one for Palm, though the product listing doesn't mention it.)

Speaking of which, the product listing doesn't specifically mention iPhone 3G compatibility, either; however, one of the user reviews claims it works fine. (The demo video up top shows an iPhone getting charged, but it looks like a first-generation model.)

Sure, you can get an iPhone battery pack for as little as $6.99, but that powers one device and one device only. This eco-friendly charger can juice just about everything in your carry-on bag. Until someone invents a teeny little windmill, it'll have to do.