With a built-in battery and a solar panel, this device looks to be a great gadget to bring along.
Product on Review: Arctic Cooling ARCTIC C1 Mobile USB Charger with Solar PanelManufacturer and Sponsor: ARCTIC COOLING
MSRP: 16,95 € / US$ 24.60
Street Price: Unknown
As you may have noticed in Vortez Harware’s recent review on the ARCTIC C2, Arctic Cooling has expanded into power products, such as USB chargers and rechargeable batteries. Given the fact that Arctic Cooling has always been oriented towards computer cooling devices, it is interesting to see the Swiss company expand their product line-up into areas that you would least expect.
On April 1st 2010, Arctic Cooling announced the ARCTIC C1 Mobile, a mobile universal charger with solar panel. Basically, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile is a USB charger with portability in mind. It charges a single USB device at a time with its integrated 4440mAh lithium-ion battery which holds about twice the charge of a typical AA rechargeable battery such as the Sanyo Eneloop. Although the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can be charged through its USB port, the device stays true to portability by sporting a small 80mA solar panel. In other words, the device can be charged when direct sunlight is shone onto it.
With so many modern portable devices available today, you can easily imagine an incident where one of your device’s battery would drain in the middle of your trip and there was no way for you to power it on the spot. If your device recharges through USB but no power outlet is available, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile might be the perfect item for you. Indeed, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile seems to be a great companion for any tech savvy on the go with his or her mobile devices such as mobiles phones, media players, portable game consoles, smart phones, etc.
Remembering that the ARCTIC C2 fared very well in its review, expectations are high for the ARCTIC C1 Mobile. Is it worth your hard-earned money? Read on as the ARCTIC C1 Mobile will be examined in detail.
About Arctic Cooling:
Who we are?
ARCTIC COOLING is a privately owned company founded in 2001 with headquarters in Switzerland, offices in Hong Kong and the USA and production facilities in Asia. The ARCTIC COOLING team consists of international highly educated people with business, technical and communicational skills. The attitude to work is based on Swiss principles of innovative spirit and high standards of workmanship for which it is recognized internationally. This striving for excellence is integrated in all processes as a matter of course. ARCTIC COOLING´s core competencies are multifarious including systematic noise reduction,copper and aluminum heatsink development, customization of thermal solutions, as well as designing quiet fans. More recently quiet and cool PC Cases and Power Supplies have been developed.
ARCTIC COOLING is a privately owned company founded in 2001 with headquarters in Switzerland, offices in Hong Kong and the USA and production facilities in Asia. The ARCTIC COOLING team consists of international highly educated people with business, technical and communicational skills. The attitude to work is based on Swiss principles of innovative spirit and high standards of workmanship for which it is recognized internationally. This striving for excellence is integrated in all processes as a matter of course. ARCTIC COOLING´s core competencies are multifarious including systematic noise reduction,copper and aluminum heatsink development, customization of thermal solutions, as well as designing quiet fans. More recently quiet and cool PC Cases and Power Supplies have been developed.
Features and Specifications
Features: Link
Mobile USB Charger with Solar Panel
This lightweight, mobile charger gives you power wherever you go. Its built-in 4440 mWh lithium-ion battery is ideal for charging power-intensive devices such as mobile phones, MP3 and PDA. The ARCTIC C1 Mobile also provides necessary voltage to the data pin which allows charging of iPhone and iPod touch.
With hybrid functionality, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can be charged from the sun / light or from a USB port.
Main features
– Built-in 4400 mWh lithium-ion rechargeable battery
– Ideal for high-powered devices everywhere
– Fast and save charging by the USB cable provided
– Adapter for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Motorola included
You’ve got the power
Featuring a 4400 mWh lithium-ion battery, this portable charger is ideal for powering up energy-intensive devices, such as mobile phones, MP3 players and PDAs. What’s more. The ARCTIC C1 Mobile provides the necessary voltage to the data pins which allows charging of iPhone and iPod touch, which gives one more practical option for charging your valuable multimedia devices.
Green energy with high mobility
The ARCTIC C1 Mobile can be charged by the built-in solar panel. Take the ARCTIC C1 Mobile with you whilst working, hiking, sunbathing, camping to transform natural resources to the energy for a wide range of devices.
Thanks for the hybrid charging functionality, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can also be charged via a USB port, providing an all-rounded and handy power options for users.
Its compact and lightweight design makes the ARCTIC C1 Mobile highly portable. It is particularly useful and convenient for outdoor use when no power sockets are available. Recharging MP3 players, mobile phones, and other on the beach or on the mountain has now become handy and effortless.
Mobile phone adapters included
Some mobile phone manufacturers do not use their USB cable to charge the device and thus, a designated adapter is necessary. The ARCTIC C1 Mobile provides a hassle-free solution – it comes with an adapter for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Motorola. Users no longer need to search for the adapter for their phone. Just buy, plug and charge!
This lightweight, mobile charger gives you power wherever you go. Its built-in 4440 mWh lithium-ion battery is ideal for charging power-intensive devices such as mobile phones, MP3 and PDA. The ARCTIC C1 Mobile also provides necessary voltage to the data pin which allows charging of iPhone and iPod touch.
With hybrid functionality, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can be charged from the sun / light or from a USB port.
Main features
– Built-in 4400 mWh lithium-ion rechargeable battery
– Ideal for high-powered devices everywhere
– Fast and save charging by the USB cable provided
– Adapter for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Motorola included
You’ve got the power
Featuring a 4400 mWh lithium-ion battery, this portable charger is ideal for powering up energy-intensive devices, such as mobile phones, MP3 players and PDAs. What’s more. The ARCTIC C1 Mobile provides the necessary voltage to the data pins which allows charging of iPhone and iPod touch, which gives one more practical option for charging your valuable multimedia devices.
Green energy with high mobility
The ARCTIC C1 Mobile can be charged by the built-in solar panel. Take the ARCTIC C1 Mobile with you whilst working, hiking, sunbathing, camping to transform natural resources to the energy for a wide range of devices.
Thanks for the hybrid charging functionality, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can also be charged via a USB port, providing an all-rounded and handy power options for users.
Its compact and lightweight design makes the ARCTIC C1 Mobile highly portable. It is particularly useful and convenient for outdoor use when no power sockets are available. Recharging MP3 players, mobile phones, and other on the beach or on the mountain has now become handy and effortless.
Mobile phone adapters included
Some mobile phone manufacturers do not use their USB cable to charge the device and thus, a designated adapter is necessary. The ARCTIC C1 Mobile provides a hassle-free solution – it comes with an adapter for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Motorola. Users no longer need to search for the adapter for their phone. Just buy, plug and charge!
Specifications: Link
Specification sheet: Link
USB port: 1 Port
Input solar panel: 5.5 V / 80 mA
Input USB: 5 V / 300 mA
Li-ion rechargeable battery: 4440 mAh
Output: DC 5.5 V 500 mA
Dimensions: 110 (L) x 43 (B) x 12 (H) mm
Weight: 52 g
Warranty: 2 Years
Manufacturer code: DCACO-AC003-CSA01
EAN-Code: 087276700327-9
Input solar panel: 5.5 V / 80 mA
Input USB: 5 V / 300 mA
Li-ion rechargeable battery: 4440 mAh
Output: DC 5.5 V 500 mA
Dimensions: 110 (L) x 43 (B) x 12 (H) mm
Weight: 52 g
Warranty: 2 Years
Manufacturer code: DCACO-AC003-CSA01
EAN-Code: 087276700327-9
Packaging and Contents
The Arctic Cooling ARCTIC C1 Mobile comes packaged in a typical blister pack. This blister pack is a heat-sealed clamshell package, which is quite difficult to open without a pair of scissors or a knife. Caution is usually recommended when opening these types of packaging because a slip with the knife can easily hurt someone. No doubt, this kind of packaging deters tampering, but it is less than ideal for consumers.
The packaging gives a good view of the product itself with a list of compatible devices and its total energy capacity on the right. Silver, white and black are the three colours used for the packaging. If only more manufacturers would use more silver on their products like Arctic Cooling does, as I much prefer it over the typical black colour you would find on most computer products.
The front of the packaging
At the back of the packaging, there is a short list of features, specifications and uses of the ARCTIC C1 Mobile. The features are given in 4 different languages: English, French, German and Spanish. Near the bottom, we see that the manual is available in 10 different languages: the four languages stated earlier, Italian, Swedish, and a few other languages that I do not recognise! It is great to see Arctic Cooling offering so many languages for the manual.
The back of the packaging
Opening the packaging was fairly quick with a pair of scissors. I would not recommend using a knife as the risk of injury is quite a bit higher. In terms of package contents, there is the ARCTIC C1 Mobile itself, several power adapters and a small manual that explains things like package contents, safety instructions, warranty and how to use the device.
The contents of the packaging
Closer Look: ARCTIC C1 Mobile
The ARCTIC C1 Mobile, as it was mentioned earlier, is a mobile universal USB charger sporting an 80mA solar panel. The solar panel takes the majority of the front’s surface. Near the bottom of the device, we see there are three small holes that are actually three red LEDs. These LEDs indicate various statuses of the device, such as its remaining energy capacity. At the top of device, we can see that the ARCTIC C1 Mobile has some kind of handle. The handle is quite thick and the hooking of a carabiner keyring is not possible. I myself am not sure what the use of the handle is. In terms of colours, the ARCTIC C1 uses black, silver and white. I would say that is a nice blend of colours.
The front of the Arctic Cooling ARCTIC C1 Mobile
At the back of the device, we can see Arctic Cooling’s and the device’s logos. The input and output specifications of the device is also written here. For the input, the solar panel is rated to receive 80mA at a voltage of 5.5V whereas the USB input is rated to receive 300mA at a voltage of 5V. For the output, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can give 500mA at 5.5V. The lithium-ion battery built into the ARCTIC C1 Mobile has a maximal energy capacity of 4440mWh.
The back of the Arctic Cooling ARCTIC C1 Mobile
Near the bottom of the back of the device, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile has two different ports. The USB A-type port on the right is the 5V output port whereas the mini USB B-type port of the right is the 5V input for recharging the device itself. I would like to point out that the ARCTIC C1 Mobile does not come with the required USB, such as a male USB A-type to a male mini USB B-type, to recharge the device itself. I suspect that Arctic Cooling did not include such a cable because the device can be recharged through solar energy, albeit at about 4 times slower than through USB.
The bottom back of the Arctic Cooling ARCTIC C1 Mobile
Looking at the previous pictures, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile looks fairly large. Nevertheless, staying true to its “mobile” name, the device itself is no larger, longer or thicker than a typical mobile phone. In the picture below, we see Arctic Cooling’s device compared to a Sony Ericsson T715 mobile phone. The ARCTIC C1 Mobile dimensions are, according to Arctic Cooling, 110 (length) x 43 (width) x 12 (height) mm.
The ARCTIC C1 Mobile compared to a Sony Ericsson T715
Closer Look: Accessories
Remembering that the ARCTIC C1 Mobile was designed for people on the go carrying various mobile devices, Arctic Cooling has bundled with their product different adapters for mobiles phones companies including Samsung, Nokia and Sony Ericsson. There is also a mini USB B-type adapter. Each of these 4 adapters connect to the ARCTIC C1 Mobile through the intermediary of a USB extension cable that has a total length of 20 inches, give or take a few inches depending on how much you’re planning on pulling on the coiled cable.
The included accessories: a USB extension cable, a Samsung adapter, a Nokia adapter, a mini USB B-type adapter and a Sony Ericsson adapter
Looking at how the adapters are designed, each of the adapters must be used with USB extension cable. I would have preferred if Arctic Cooling would allow using these adapters without the USB extension cable, such as designing the adapters with a mini USB B-type connector as input to the ARCTIC C1 Mobile. Without the USB extension cable, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile would have been much more portable. Some kind of retractable USB extension cable integrated into the ARCTIC C1 Mobile would have been interesting too, such as those cables found on certain external 2.5” hard drive enclosures or portable USB hubs.
The Sony Ericsson adapter connected to the ARCTIC C1 Mobile via the USB extension cable
Installation and Usage
The ARCTIC C1 Mobile is basically a USB charger with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery built into it. Indeed, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can act as a backup battery. The ARCTIC C1 Mobile charges other devices through its mini USB B-type connector that is rated to output 500mA at a voltage of 5.5V. This power rating is about the maximum a typical USB 2.0 device would pull from a computer’s USB 2.0 port. If you remember previously, the Arctic Cooling ARCTIC C1 Mobile has 3 red LEDs that are located at the bottom front of the device. These LEDs give information on the status of the device. These LEDs are designated A, B, C from left to right. For further information on how these LEDs are lit and which status they indicate, feel free to take a look at the manual below:User manual: Link
When charging is in progress, the number of lit LEDs shows the remaining capacity of the lithium-ion battery:
a) 3 LEDs on – 70 to 100% li-ion battery capacity remaining
b) 2 LEDs on – 30 to 70% li-ion battery capacity remaining
c) 1 LED on – 10 to 30% li-ion battery capacity remaining
b) 2 LEDs on – 30 to 70% li-ion battery capacity remaining
c) 1 LED on – 10 to 30% li-ion battery capacity remaining
The ARCTIC C1 Mobile in action
Once the plugged device is fully charged, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile will cease to charge the device and, thankfully, will not try to overcharge it.
The lithium-ion battery may be recharged through two different means: through the solar panel which rated at 80mA at 5.5V or through a USB A-type connector which is rated to receive 300mA at 5V. Arctic Cooling states that a full recharge may take up to 12 hours under strong sunlight or 2-3 hours through the USB connector. I found that, indeed, a direct sunlight must be shown on the device for it to charge properly. Indirect or weak sunlight can also the charge the device, but it will be done in a slower manner. Other light sources may be used as well, such as an incandescent light bulb or a compact fluorescent light bulb. Depending on which recharging method is used, the LEDs will light differently:
By solar panel
(1) LED C red light on – charging in progress
(2) LED C red light off – charging finished / not enough light
By PC / USB Charger
(1) LED A red light on – charging in progress
(2) LED A red light off – charging finished
(1) LED C red light on – charging in progress
(2) LED C red light off – charging finished / not enough light
By PC / USB Charger
(1) LED A red light on – charging in progress
(2) LED A red light off – charging finished
The device may be recharged through the solar panel and the USB connector simultaneously, too.
I would like to note once again that the ARCTIC C1 Mobile does not come with the required USB cable to charge the device, that is a male USB A-type to male mini USB B-type cable. These are fairly inexpensive, however, and they can be usually found at less than $5. Once you procure the cable, the device can be charged through one of your computer’s USB ports or a USB charger, such as the ARTIC C2 previously reviewed here on Vortez Hardware.
Overall Usage
Arctic Cooling designed the ARCTIC C1 Mobile with mobility and ease of use in mind. With its small size that barely exceeds the size of a typical mobile phone, the ARTIC C1 Mobile makes for a great companion for a traveller as it can be easily slipped into a small bag or in the pockets of a coat. You will also need to bring the USB cables that support your devices, however, and this can be more or less encumbering depending on how many pockets you have or the size of your bag. It is unfortunate that all of the ARCTIC C1 Mobile’s adapters need the USB extension cable to be used. A design that made the USB extension cable optional would have been ideal as it would make the ARCTIC C1 Mobile even more portable.
As per specifications, the device has a 4440mAh lithium-ion battery built into it, which is a fairly large capacity and it is about two times the charge that two rechargeable Sanyo Eneloop AA batteries hold. The lithium-ion battery was enough to charge the BlackBerry Curve 8300 smart phone at least 3 times without any trouble. The ARTIC C1 Mobile was also compatible with the HTC Snap smart phone and the Samsung YP-K3 MP3 player. For our Apple readers, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile is advertised to be compatible with both iPhones and iPod touch. I do not have such devices to test, however.
The ARCTIC C1 Mobile charging a Samsung YP-K3 2GB
Throughout testing, I found that recharging the device through the solar panel worked well, but it was much slower than I wished. Indeed, Arctic Cooling states that the device can take up to 12 hours to recharge under strong sunlight. Thankfully, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile has a fairly large lithium-ion battery, so even with a slow recharge the device’s battery will seldom be completely drained. Also, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can be recharged through the solar panel and the USB connector simultaneously.
One caveat that I found when using the ARCTIC C1 Mobile was the fact that I did not know the remaining capacity of the lithium-ion battery. The only way you can find this information is by charging a device with the ARCTIC C1 Mobile. Then, according to the numbers of LEDs lit, you have an approximation of the remaining capacity of the battery. Some kind of button to show this information would have been preferred. Also, it would have been nice to know where the device was in its recharge. With its current design, when being recharged, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile only shows whether it is recharging or not, but there is no indication of the battery’s remaining capacity.
Conclusion
The ARCTIC C1 Mobile was designed with one idea at its core: portability. With its small size and low weight, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile can be easily carried around without being a burden. A lithium-ion battery is built into the device, making it a candidate for a backup battery pack. It holds a fairly large capacity of 4440mWh, enough to charge a BlackBerry Curve 8300 smart phone up to 3 times. Sporting a small 80mA solar panel, the device may be recharged when strong lighting is shone over it, eliminating the need of a USB connector to recharge the device. However, when a USB connector is available, the device can also be recharged through USB too. Through testing, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile was confirmed to be compatible with a wide variety of mobiles devices from smart phones to media players. All of these features make the ARCTIC C1 Mobile a great companion for the tech savvy traveller.The Arctic Cooling ARCTIC C1 Mobile
Through testing, two issues were noticed. The first issue is the fact that there is no quick way to determine the remaining capacity of the built-in lithium-ion battery of the ARCTIC C1 Mobile. The only way was to make the ARCTIC C1 Mobile charge another device so that the LEDs would light up and it would give an approximation of the battery’s remaining capacity. The lack of information can become problematic in certain situations, such as when recharging the ARCTIC C1 Mobile. Indeed, in such a situation, the LEDs only show whether the device is being recharged or not. Seeing as the recharge through the solar panel is slow, you might take the ARCTIC C1 Mobile with you when it is only partially recharged. Without any information on the device’s remaining capacity, you might have a battery with low energy that is not enough to power other devices sufficiently. Although the device’s solar panel still allows the device to be powered, on a cloudy day or in a dark place, it becomes not very useful. The second issue of the ARCTIC C1 Mobile is the fact that the adapters for mobile phones included with the product require the USB extension cable to be used. A direct connection between the adapter and the ARCTIC C1 Mobile and an optional USB extension cable would have been preferred.
In a nutshell, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile meets its objectives of being a portable USB charger. Priced at 16,95 € / US$ 24.60, this device is quite affordable and seems to be well priced, but I do not know of any other comparable device to properly evaluate its value. Although the two previous mentioned issues are minor amongst the pros of the ARCTIC C1 Mobile, they drop Arctic Cooling’s score down a few notches. In other words, the ARCTIC C1 Mobile is quite a good product and, with a few changes, it will become excellent. As such, it is awarded Vortez Hardware’s Silver Award.
Pros
+ Built-in 80mA solar panel
+ Includes mobile phone adapters
+ Large 4440mAh lithium-ion battery
+ Lightweight and small size
+ Very attractive blend of silver, white and black colours
Cons
– Fairly slow recharge through the solar panel
– Lack of information on the battery’s remaining capacity
– USB extension cable that must be used with the included mobile phone adapters
We would like to thank Arctic Cooling for sending over the ARCTIC C1 Mobile. Discuss this review on our forum.
