Old 10-21-2013, 17:56   #1
TRU
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ft Bragg
Posts: 21
Solar Chargers?

I have been searching around here, but came up with no answers.

Does anybody have any experience with Solar Chargers for small electronic devices? Specifically, I'm looking at the Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus adventure Kit. With the ProDeal it's only $77.00, but they're out of stock right now. I'd like something to charge my phone and maybe iPod while I'm out, but reviews seem to show GoalZero products as hit or miss. Any input, gents?
TRU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2013, 18:08   #2
tonyz
Area Commander
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 4,792
TRU,

Search around link below - starting with post #795.

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...t=Goal&page=54
__________________
The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil.

Marcus Tullius Cicero
tonyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2013, 18:23   #3
The Reaper
Quiet Professional
 
The Reaper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,779
I have had good luck with the Powerfilm chargers.

TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
The Reaper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2013, 10:25   #4
TRU
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ft Bragg
Posts: 21
I appreciate the quick replies! I'll look into the Instapark and the Powerfilm.
TRU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2013, 11:10   #5
The Reaper
Quiet Professional
 
The Reaper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,779
Quote:
Originally Posted by TRU View Post
I appreciate the quick replies! I'll look into the Instapark and the Powerfilm.
Amazon has a 5 watt Powerfilm for $60.

TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
The Reaper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2013, 06:06   #6
TRU
SF Candidate
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ft Bragg
Posts: 21
Just ordered the Powerfilm 5W. In the mean time I'll be using my buddy's Goal Zero Nomad7 that he just got. Thanks again.
TRU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2013, 10:14   #7
DJ Urbanovsky
Guerrilla Chief
 
DJ Urbanovsky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 694
If you're looking to charge mobile devices like phones or tablets, I've had great luck with a device I got off of Ebay for about $40.

3" x 4" x 5/8" footprint. About the same size as a Galaxy SIII.

6000mah internal battery.

Solar panels on the top.

Battery level indicator.

You can charge the internal battery by plugging it in or by leaving it in the sun.

Has two USB outs so you can charge several devices at once.

I've had mine for about a year now and taken it on the road, hiking, camping, etc... Zero issues, works great, and doesn't take up a lot of space. When we're at home or driving, I just toss it up in the window.
DJ Urbanovsky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2014, 06:29   #8
FlagDayNCO
Guerrilla
 
FlagDayNCO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: KEYSTONE STATE, Bucks County
Posts: 251
Solar for Electronics

I wanted to bump this, and share my experiences.

I've used two different solar kits, both the portable type that a back packer would carry. For the one, I also have the AA rechargeable module.

Kindle, Samsung, Droid and Blackberry devices were able to be charged with no issues. A recent/ newer version of the Kindle would only work with one of the chargers.

iPhones and iPads are another story. None of the devices could be charged directly, requiring the solar kit to charge a power pack, which could be used to charge or enhance the iFamily.

What I found interesting, is when an iOS upgrade was downloaded, the iPhones would no longer accept a charge from the power pack. Unsupported power supply or something was the error message.

There are iPhone compatable power packs/ charging systems, but they demand apremium price. I did have a power pack that was iPhone compatable, but once iGod decided to upgrade their software, it became defunct.

So, something to consider is whether the device(s) we use will be compatable in a year.

Now, other electronics, such as the small two-way radios and flip phones, had no issues. When the big power goes out on the cellular service, often the text is the first back on. Flip phones with text capability are still a good back up communication device.
__________________
Flag Day NCO
"Fundamental truths are our most powerful weapon and chief among those truths is the sanctity of the individual right to self-determination." Trapper John

The Cold War didn't end, communism still lives and has come to America.

The Insurgency is going well, especially with the enemy at the table of every branch of our Federal, State, and Local Government.
FlagDayNCO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2014, 08:31   #9
Paslode
Area Commander
 
Paslode's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Occupied Wokeville
Posts: 4,629
I noticed a 10w solar charger at COSTCO the other day that comes with a 5200 mah storage/charging device.

http://www.costco.com/Grape-Solar-Go...100107322.html

It looks pretty handy, but the problem I run into is the charging cables for my phone go bad after 2-3 months, more specifically the micro usb end wears out.
__________________
Quote:
When a man dies, if nothing is written, he is soon forgotten.
Paslode is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 04:08   #10
DaveP
Asset
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Maine
Posts: 22
Packable solar charger review

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics...-solar-charger

Was looking into Anker products and found this compilation. Impressed with the output/wt-and- cost ratio improvements out there.

DaveP
DaveP is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:43.



Copyright 2004-2022 by Professional Soldiers ®
Site Designed, Maintained, & Hosted by Hilliker Technologies