Comments on: It’s Just Cool: Minty Boost USB Charger

By: jeff

jeff — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:05:55 +0000

I’ve been thinking about building this version of the minty soon. It would be quite useful. A crank charger would be sweet but I imagine I would be cranking for sometime.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-solar-iPodiPhone-charger-aka-Might/

By: Bill Schuller

Bill Schuller — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:39:02 +0000

Like the other commentators, I’ve never been hassled by the TSA. I have several, including one that has been taken out of it’s case and modified to be used as a USB 2.0 power injector for Nokia 770 tablet in order to force it into USB host mode. It raised the only eyebrow, that of a stewardess who did a good job feigning genuine interest in what was hanging off my device. However, bringing a CPAP, a common medical device which I use to breath at night is somehow a one-way ticket to body cavity search…

By: Will

Will — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:25:40 +0000

To anyone that wants to make one, that is cool, but you can also just buy one and avoid the TSA questions. I got mine from Walmart ages ago for $10. For $20 , you could pick up one that doubles as a flashlight.

By: Dan Lyke

Dan Lyke — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:49:22 +0000

Just built two of these, one in the Minty box, one integrated into another device I was building. Have already used them a bunch. Great little form-factor, great little device.

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:35:03 +0000

Same with me. I’ve never even been questioned about mine.

By: Jude

Jude — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:32:48 +0000

Guess you never know although they’re supposed to check “improvised electronic devices”. Only thing keeping me from taking on a large sealed acid battery wired up with a car outlet for coast to coast trips!

By: Stitch

Stitch — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:16:22 +0000

It took me about 10 minutes to explain it to the TSA one time, and I’ve had no issues since.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:45:29 +0000

I have two of these, a 1.1 and a 1.3 version. I can’t tell you how many times its gone through the airport and I’ve never had a problem. It always goes in my carry on with my ipod. I think it’s pretty obvious to the TSA guys what it is.

I have heard reports of other users of the MintyBoost having to prove what it is (by showing that it charges the ipod), but nothing has ever happened to me like that.

Awesome product. Building it makes you love it even more.