I have purchased, used and tested every lightweight solar charging device on the market that I could find. The Goal0 nomad 7 and Guide 10 set is the only one that works sufficiently that I can be completely off the grid with my backpacking devices and have no need for extra batteries. See below for solar panels tested. I have been testing portable solar panels for several years now, and the Goal 0 products are the best.
The Nomad 7 is the only solar panel that has the capability to charge an adequate battery pack, my headlamp AAA's, AND my smartphone/GPS all in the same day in full sunlight. It is the only panel that has reserve capacity to charge my devices in less than full sun (shady/cloudy). No other panel has the output of the Nomad 7. Its closest competitor is the Brunton panel. The Brunton weighs 20% more and is rated to output 30% less than the Nomad 7 (Brunton = 5 watts, Nomad 7 = 7 watts). In my testing the lower output was verified. The off-axis performance of the Nomad 7 is superior. It maintains full output to a greater angle of sun than any other panel I have tested. The Nomad 7 is the only panel, in my knowledge, that uses the more efficient mono-crystalline panels. It does seem to give it an edge in real-world usage. As far as flexibility, that characteristic has nothing to do with panel efficiency. Another of the well-thought out features of the Nomad 7 is the connection options. The Xpal SP-2000 and the Solio both rely on many different tips to connect to different devices. The Nomad 7 has three great options built in: 6.5 volt fast charge for the Guide 10 charger, 5 V USB connector, and a port that the included 12V female car lighter adapter plugs into. Every portable device has the option of an inexpensive car power adapter, and the Nomad 7 nicely offers that ability.
The Guide 10 charger works to its rated specifications, unlike most of the other solar devices I have used. It charges AA and AAA batteries. It charges them faster with the Nomad 7 than any other solar panel/charger combination that I have tested. The Goal 0 batteries that ship with the Guide 10 are the best of their type I have tested. They are low-discharge, like the Eneloops, but much better. The Eneloops are rated at 2000 mAh, but charge only to about 1900 mAh capacity. The Goal 0 are rated at 2000 mAh, but charge to 2200 mAh. The guide 10 has some very well thought out features, including the LED flashlight, the function switch and the built-in hanging loop. These touches all demonstrate that the designers are users, and thought well about how these devices would be used.
All is not perfect, though. The Guide 10 does have an overheating problem, but only in very strong sunlight and under certain conditions. This is a known issue that is being fixed as I write this. This brings me to one of my most important experiences; customer service. Goal 0 has the best customer service by far than any other of the solar panel manufacturers I have tested in this group. Immediate phone contact, responsiveness to questions and warranty service are far and away some of the best I have experienced.
Following is a list of the solar panels I have tested, and short comparison comments on each.
1. Powerfilm USB + AA: This one has a great form factor, is flexible and very durable, and is the lightest weight and most compact of all the solar chargers. Its fatal flaw is that it simply does not put out enough power to be practical in extended backpacking. It does not fully charge the AA batteries when it indicates a full charge, and is not nearly as flexible as the Nomad 7 for connection. The unit was replaced on warranty, but the replacement performed exactly the same. I tested a total of four of these, and all performed the same. Customer service was good, after spending weeks trying to get their attention, and this happened several times.
2. Solio Classic: This one has a nice form factor, but the unit simply does not charge its internal battery nor a connected device at all adequately. Just in case, I had it replaced on warranty and the replacement performed exactly the same.
3. Xpal Power SP-2000: Same as the Solio. Internal battery rated at 2000 mAh, only charges to about 1100-1300. Not enough power overall to be practical. Very good customer service.
4. Brunton Explorer: A good panel, but not enough overall power. Weighs 20% more than the Nomad 7, output is 30% less.
I was very skeptical about purchasing this solar charger after reading the reviews.
I was going to take it on a 14 day back country hunting trip and needed some was to charge my android phone as I use it as a camera, GPS and alarm clock. I took this item in the mountains and on a nice sunny 60 degree day I hung it up on a small pine tree and occasionally adjusted it to be at the best angle to the sun and it charged my phone in just a little over 2 hours. I also charged my dads phone and the battery pack from Goal0 as well.
I love this solar charger and feel strongly enough about it I decided to write a review as I was extremely skeptical..
Great product!!
Buy Goal Zero 19006 Guide 10 Adventure Kit with 4 Goal Zero AA Batteries Now
There was a bad run of the power packs that would heat up and melt. GoalZero has corrected the problem months ago and sent out new power packs that are labeled "GUIDE 10 PLUS" in the indention below where it says GoalZero. The old defective power packs just say "GoalZero" with nothing in the endintion. The word !PULS! tells you that you have the re engineered power pack. Amazon's stock of GoalZero products are the old defective power pack that will heat up and melt. I ordered one on January 20, 2012 and got the bad power pack. After talking with customer service, it is evident that the old stock will be shipped until it is exhausted. They were very helpful in refunding my money without requiring the product be returned. Make your purchase from Amazon THROUGH one of the other sellers listed on the right. I contacted Blue Kangaroos and they are aware of the problem and HAVE the new power pack ready for shipment.
Update 2/3/2012:I have both the old and the new power packs now and have additional information. I was told by GoalZero Tech Support that some of the old power packs, the ones that DO NOT have the word "Plus" on the label, were modified before shipping and will not heat up. The only way to know if yours has been modified is the pry the end cap off of the Power pack. The end cap that covers the plugs and LED. Just take a small screw driver, put it in the grove and twist, it will come off. Behind the LED there are three large resistors [the large gray round things with color bands on them]. If none of the color bands are BLACK, this power pack has been modified and WILL NOT heat up. I have verified this. Mine has no black bands and does not heat up. GoalZero will still send you a new power pack and batteries if you request it. There is a slight functional difference between the Old and New power packs. The "Old" will charge devices through the USB port at about a 300ma higher rate than the New "Plus" power pack and will charge the batteries a little faster. This is because the old Power Packs have the Data+ and Datalines connected together which tells most devices to accept charging at a higher rate.
Read Best Reviews of Goal Zero 19006 Guide 10 Adventure Kit with 4 Goal Zero AA Batteries Here
for full specs
Best solar charging system that I have found. I work in the outdoor industry and have always been frustrated with the options for charging electronics when on extended trips. Goal0 has provided the solution. Check out all their elite series.
Guide 10 kit:
Pros:
Fast charging of AA or AAA batteries with the included charger or directly charge USB or DC devices from the Nomad panel.
Charging unit can be used to charge USB devices when not plugged into the panel
Charging unit has a LED flashlight built in
Very durable
Charging unit can be charged from USB, AA, AAA, or Panel
Cons: panels are not flexible (flexible panels are not as efficient)
Summary: the best system to charge AA, AAA, USB, or small DC electronics in the field.
Bonus: Excellent customer service and other products.
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I ordered my product near the end of October 2011. I brought it out to the woods in late November to test it out finally. The panels didn't work on my IPhone4S. No charge on the phone was indicated and no charge indicated on the accompanying Guide 10 Charger... I had to charge the Guide 10 charger via my car charger to get a green light. Well by January, the Guide 10 Charger was no longer giving a charge though it remained green and took a charge from a wall outlet. I attempted to call Customer Service at Goal Zero. They have an automated Greeting with 'Awesome' departments as mentioned in those greetings. The problem is getting to 'real' people behind them.
After a lot of phone tag and emails, I finally got a hold of a guy named Ladd Evans of Customer Service, support@goalzero.com, 1-888-794-6250. Ladd sent me out an Excel Product Return Form. I followed up and sent the product back via USPS with tracking. Thing was, they didn't acknowledge receipt. I had to call them again a couple of weeks later to ask the status of the my return. I had to haggle with the guy to let him know it didn't work. He said their techs tested it and said it did. Well, I mentioned that the company now had my product and I either wanted a replacement (not the one I sent them) or a refund. He stated they would send me a replacement, but if I wanted a refund, I would have to go through Amazon. I asked when this would happen and whether I would get an email regarding it? He said it would it happen in the next day. That day never came and no email was sent. I finally had enough and called Amazon and demanded a refund. Amazon hesitated, but finally refunded me my $119.95 as of a couple of days ago. Don't buy from Goal Zero! Their Customer Service and Ladd Evans are atrocious not awesome!
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