The BioLogic FreeCharge is a phone charger that is designed and manufactured by Dahon, manufacturer of folding bicycles and folding bicycle accessories. It is a personal power system that can be mounted onto any bike and used to charge iPhones, iPods, GPS units or any other small electronic device through that has a USB port. It has a built-in battery that acts like a capacitor to store power generated by a dynamo hub while cycling.
Specifications
The BioLogic FreeCharge incorporates a lithium polymer battery that has a high capacity. It receives input from the proprietary circuitry that converts and regulates the intermittent power generated by the dynamo hub. A stable current is then sent as output to safely charge electronic devices via USB ports so as not to damage the batteries of those devices through unstable current input. The BioLogic FreeCharge can be mounted on to any bicycle using a wrap around silicon case that is weatherproof and even features sealed cable ports. The case is put up around a battery that is suppoed to smooth the dips and spikes due to slow and fast cycling speeds to ascertain proper charge of the device. In addition to that, the BioLogic FreeCharge is also suitable for use on vacations and during business trips as it can be used to replace your phone, iPod, camera, voice recorder and even game console chargers, avoiding the hassle of having to bring multiple chargers along. As an alternative to dynamo hubs, the BioLogic FreeCharge can also be charged via wall adapters of USB ports from any computers. It also comes together with a retractable USB cable that has five interchangeable tips which are compatible with Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, LG and Mini USB devices. Not only that, the BioLogic FreeCharge is also capable of fully charging an Apple iPhone in under three hours. The BioLogic FreeCharge will be included together with two of Dahon’s folding bikes as a standard accessory, the IOS XL and the Speed TR. With this addition, cyclists will be able to make full use of their devices without having to worry about running out of battery on long rides. Dahon came up with the idea for a charger that makes full use of the electricity generated from cycling as it felt that most of the electricity goes to waste nowadays. This is because the LED lights are more efficient as compared to the dynamo powered once earlier on. The BioLogic FreeCharge will come in handy especially when cyclists want to make full use of their GPS navigators as well as other cycling computer applications. The BioLogic FreeCharge is encased in a grey silicone case that has a black front surface. It also has two LED indicators, green and red to indicate when a device is being charged. Devices are plugged in using their respective tips to the BioLogic FreeCharge by plugging the cable to the USB port.
Reviews
“The concept of this charger is quite interesting and has the capacity of wining many hearts if properly carried out. But, there are very few concept-based products that have been launched in the market. Let’s hope it is implemented.” (TechnoTalk, 2009)
“If you ride a bike quite a bit then here’s a pretty cool iPhone and iPod charger for ya, the BioLogic FreeCharge uses your pedal power to create electricity and charge your devices. A USB hub connects to your wheel and charges whatever you connect to it. From iPhone, iPods, BlackBerries to other mobile gadgets. It takes about 3 hours to charge a device such as an iPhone with the FreeCharge, perfect if you ride long distance or are an avid bike rider. The BioLogic will be available next March for about $100. So how does it work exactly? It has a dyno that draws power from your bicycle wheel as you pedal which then charges a battery within the USB hub, connect your USB cable to the hub and you then power your device. It’s similar to those bike lights powered by your wheel that was popular back in the 90’s. Now you can feel good about yourself for riding a bike and powering your iPhone, until you come back to reality and remember how much of a loser you are.” (iPhoneSpies, 2009)
“There are no doubts that pedal power could create some green energy. A famous folding bikes producer Dahon, knew about this and now offers a new green opportunity that will be appreciated by all the enthusiastic bikers. Called the BioLogic FreeCharge, this wonder working charger is able to harness the pedal power on the go producing enough green charge for your portable devices.” (Gadgets-Reviews, 2009)
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