For the price, it is not as great a deal as you (or I) would expect. I have MUCH solar "kit" experience, first of all let me say that POWERFILM products are my favorite, they are available for as little as $10/watt, so they are not the cheapest. So here goes with the review for THIS item...It is breakable. That is a really big "con".
It is heavy (well, not too bad for glass 40w panel)-
It only outputs around 10volts, CAN NOT charge 12volt battery without using the charge controller (step up). This is a huge problem when trying to use the panel in any capacity without the battery pack. (for example, it will not charge a gel-cell or a car battery from the panel).
The battery pack is decent, but if your use is "zombie" emergency related needs, you don't want a pack that is proprietary, it should be comprised of AA cells you could swap/use elsewhere. Not hard to make a pack like that yourself.
A "pro" is that the kit comes with everything you need, none of which is waterproof, or is ruggedized.
Another pro: It uses 2.1mm DC common jacksso far none other does have this before personal modification(s)!
It does produce 40watts however, and seems to have decent PV cells. The construction of the panel fabric as well as the components within are unmistakably Chinese in origin. (very nice caring people with happy cheeks, but they do not export the premium technology!)
If your intent is to power a laptop, you will need to make yourself at home with a lot of setting up, first you need to deploy the panel in the sun, then (if you can find nearby shade) run the cable to the charge controller, from the charge controller you will connect the battery pack, and the inverter which outputs 120vac to your laptop adapter.
In comparison, the powerfilm 30w panel (after a connector modification) plugs DIRECTLY into my laptop, and weighs MUCH less (only ounces!) But costs a helluva lot more!
Pros
It's solar. There is some usefulness in the fact that it is heavier, it won't flip over in the wind. It's not the best solar out there.
Cons
Very complex set-up if you want to use it. It takes time to set up and take down. It is not the easy deal the photos and advertising likes to imply. You need to use it with all its many bits and pieces, and they don't have a tight fit so you can easily think you're charging something and you aren't. For example, you have to plug in your AC cord into the converter that you use to fit your two or three prong cord, for your electrical device you want to use or charge, into the 110V converter and the charge controller. You can't plug your device directly into the converter like other converters I've had. If you don't balance and support these three things right they can fall at an angle and come apart, or just lose connection enough to ruin your setup. This will result in you thinking it's OK, sometimes for hours, when it's not.
I wouldn't by this again, or recommend others to get it. Try some other brand out. The best I could say here, is that it isn't worth getting rid of and if anyone gives it to you it can be a nice little experiment in seeing if solar interests you.
***I originally had this as a three star rating but dropped it to the lowest rating*** This panel doesn't work anymore, and it's one year and about four months old.
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