If you are like the typical traveler, a portable media player or cell phone is often the most important item brought along for the ride but can be useless without power. To solve the powerless problem, check out the Lenmar Enterprises PowerPort.

The pocket-sized (3.9×2.4×0.4 in.) lithium-ion battery charging system will charge USB compatible devices in about two hours and comes with a 2-year warranty.  Devices that can be charged include cell phones, PDAs and iPods.

The devices can be charged up to 5 times before the PowerPort needs a charge itself but users should note the actual amount of charges and how long it takes depends on the device and how much of a charge it needs.

Instructions are included with the unit, but they are not really needed. With the included USB cable, just the attach the battery to any powered USB port (computer, etc) and after the red light turns blue, it’s ready to go. Included with the battery are a 3 ft. charging cable along with three adapters, which can be used for the popular devices such as iPhones, iPods, Blackberry’s and the Motorola RAZR. The portable gadgets can also be used while charging

One feature, which makes this device handy is the USB port on the battery itself, so if your device isn’t one that will fit one of the included adapters, the odds are your device came with a USB cable. Although finding the original box might be a chore, once it’s located, look for the cable and charge away.

www.poweredbylenmar.com, $41.99

– Gregg Ellman