Sunforce 22007 Coleman 7.5W Folding Panel

• Charges USB or 12 volts powered devices
• Charges smartphones, cell phones, digital cameras, GPS systems and more
• Fully weatherproof for added durability
• Perfect for traveling, hiking, camping, emergency situations and a variety of outdoor activities
• Comes equipped with grommets for easy travel and storage

During this review, I am going to be comparing the Sunforce 22007 Coleman 7.5W Folding Panel to the Goal Zero Nomad 7, which is the only other solar charger that I have had experience with and the product with which it is competing. Right out of the box, I was impressed by its compactness. I opened its velcro latch and spread it out. The charger has square, polycrystalline solar panels that make efficient use of space. The panels don't have a perfect appearance, as the horizontal conductive lines are inconsistent, but I don't expect this to hurt the panel's performance. Along the edges it has rope loops that are meant to be attachment points, which are comparable to the Nomad 7. On the back of the panel, there is a zipper enclosure that includes a power regulator which has a permanently attached 12 Volt adapter and a female, USB port. When you unzip the pouch all the way, the 12 Volt adapter tends to fall out. I couldn't wait to test it out, so I ran outside and pointed it toward the sun. At 3 in the afternoon on a clear day, I measured 5 Volts and .83 amps (A little over 4.15 watts). Compared this to the Goal Zero Nomad 7, which measured 5 Volts at .65 amps (3.28 watts) under the same conditions. I am guessing this difference in performance is due to the 0.5 extra watt of power rating from the Coleman Sunforce panel, as well as a better USB power regulator.

I tested the panel in low light conditions: An overcast morning, and it didn't produce any power, whereas the Goal Zero Nomad 7 did produce 5 Volts at 40 mA. This difference is probably due to polycrystalline solar panels vs monocrystalline solar panels, which are known for the low light efficiency. This was a very low light test.

I also tested it in a mostly cloudy midday sun situation: The Sunforce Coleman panel produced 5 Volts at .35 amps, whereas the Nomad 7 produced 5 Volts at .3 amps. They were both able to start a charging cycle on my phone under these conditions: 65 percent sky coverage according to the National Weather Service with stratocumulus perculidus clouds, with very little sky visible. This result reinforced my confidence in the Sunforce panel, given my foggy morning test the day before.

I purchased this solar charger to provide me with power while camping, so its compact nature is a plus, and it will be an invaluable resource when in an emergency situation. Knowing that you will be able to charge your communication and navigation devices with only the power of the sun is a great feeling. At this price, I couldn't pass trying it out, as I intend on getting more as gifts.

Compared to Goal Zero:

Pros:

Better output. at 3 PM 5 Volts .8 amps compared to 5 Volts .65 amps with Goal Zero in direct sunlight.

Smaller

Lighter (Even with 12V adapter. It isn't removable)

Cons:

12 Volt adapter tends to flop about when you open the zipper.

The usb port is very close to the zipper enclosure if you intend to enclose your charging device within the zipper. (This may have not been intended by the designer)

Perhaps slightly less low light performance.

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I don't have any special equipment to give you hard numbers on voltage or amperage but I can tell you that it will charge my iPad2 to 87% with out the need for an external battery pack like my Nomad 7 system does.

The unit is not as "universal" as the Goal Zero system, but it does have a 12 cigarette lighter permanently attached for 12 volt charging and a single USB plug.

Edit 1-11-13

I'm updating my review and taking away 2 starts as it no longer functions after being exposed to moisture/rain. I plugged in my panel to charge a lawn tractor battery that powers my gate on a cloudy day. It started to rain, but I was not worried as the charger was out of the direct rain fall and it is "weatherproof". The next day I went out with my volt meter and was not getting any output from the 12 volt plug or any power from the USB plug.

I still think this panel is a good overall deal, but it is not weatherproof.

Read Best Reviews of Sunforce 22007 Coleman 7.5W Folding Panel Here

The Good: light weight, charges pretty fast for a solar panel, has webbing straps to hang from my backpack while i wear it on a hike or MTB ride, very tough and flexible panels that wont shatter/crack easily i dropped it a few times while camping and riding my bike.I recently my HTC Rezound was almost dead so i plugged it in and threw the panel on my dash went in the grocery store and came out about 45 mins later and it was at 50%. this thing is pretty cool I cant wait to take it camping/backpacking.

The bad: USB plug is in a weird spot and there is not much clearance around it so its kinda tight to plug it in because the zipper is close to the plug. The 12v Car charger is permanently attached to the panel and it is bulky(I just cut it off because I wanted it to pack flat)

Great for: backpackers, busy people who love to use their phone/GPS/Ipod while off the grid.

Over all I like it a lot, and the downsides are very minor it out performs a similar one sold at harbor freight that is heavier and bulkier and only puts out 5 watts.

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Product arrived in a good timely fashion. Having a required min word count makes me not want to bother with reviews.

Bought this as a gift, one person camps all the time so they needed something like this for their phone and the other recipient is just a techno geek both people loved it. Bought one for myself just in case we needed it in an emergency.