Freeloading NiMH Battery Power From a USB Port

Don’t you hate it when you’re on vacation and it’s the most difficult thing in the world to find an available wall outlet? Your camera batteries need a quick top-up and there is nary a power socket in sight. The good people at Freeloader have come up with what they believe to be the smallest and lightest battery charger in the world, sucking juice from a computer USB port rather than a wall outlet.

The Freeloader charging device will be able to handle both AA and AAA sized batteries in both NiMH and NiCd flavors. It takes about three to four hours to reach 75% full charge, assuming that you’ve got two batteries on the go. There are lights to indicate power levels, of course, and the rubberized casing keeps everything safe.

World’s smallest? How about those USBCell rechargeable batteries with the USB connector built right in? In any case, the Freeloader battery charger can be had for about $25.