By Becky Waring

If you've been inconvenienced when your cell phone or iPod runs out of juice, just imagine what it's like for a soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan who has to be out in the desert or mountains for weeks on end with no entertainment or communication with home.

That's where the Solio comes in.

This compact solar charger can yield an amazing 15 minutes of talk time or 40 minutes of music from just one hour of sunshine exposure. A fully-powered Solio should charge a cell phone twice over or provide 20 hours of music.

And now, when you buy one Solio for a soldier, the eco-gadget web site Current Energy will also donate a second to another soldier, including special protective cases. It's hard to think of a better gift for friends or family members stationed overseas.

While you're at it, pick up one for yourself. It's just as useful on the plane as on a camping trip; three models are available.

The Solio Classic Hybrid Charger ($100) has three small solar panels that open out in a fan-like arrangement for charging the internal battery (which is replaceable), then folds up to flip phone size. A handy suction cup lets you stick it to your sunny car or hotel window while charging, and you can also plug it into the wall. It powers anything that charges over USB or that accepts standard iGo power adapter tips, which covers most cell phones, bluetooth headsets, music players and portable game machines, some GPS devices, and many digital cameras. At just 5.6 oz., it's easily tucked in a backpack or laptop case, and the battery holds its charge for up to a year, so you can keep it stored for emergencies.

For an even more compact design with a single solar panel and about half the capacity of the Classic model, try the Solio Hybrid 1000 ($80). The 4.6-oz. Hybrid 1000 has a carabiner clip for attaching to your jacket or backpack and is always open, so it will constantly charge itself as you hike or while your pack sits on the ground. Clip on a pair for even more hours of iPod time.

Finally, the Solio Magnesium Edition ($170) is a ruggedized magnesium-alloy version of the three-fold design that has an even greater charge capacity, yielding 20 minutes of talk time or 50 minutes of music per hour of sun.

Fuel up from the sun and never let yourself run out of juice again!