- Powerful 100 watts high-efficiency mono-crystalline solar panel with foldable design, ideal for charging all 12-volt lead-acid, flooded or sealed maintenance free batteries (AGM and gel cell)
- Stylish, foldable & self-contained design with compact size and light weight, ideal for home use and outdoor activities
- Built-in controller prevents battery from being over-charged or over-discharged and built-in cooler fan with temperature sensor prevents overheating.
- Multi-functional 5-LED Charge / Battery Strength indicator
- Adjustable steel flip stand for maximum sunlight exposure
Instapark PowerBox Mars100 Fold-n-Go Portable 100-Watt Solar-powered 12V Battery Charger with Power
BodyGard Survivor 12-in-1 Hand Crank Survival Tool
Garmin Vehicle Power Cable
- Cigarette lighter adapter for automotive use
- For Garmin eTrex Vista C
- For Garmin eTrex Legend C
- For Garmin eTrex Vista 24 MB GPS with Compass and Altimeter
Instead I did some research and discovered a nifty little item called a USB car adapter for as low as two dollars! then I can just use the USB cord that came with the unit! Only the wires needed for supplying power are used and not those for the data (they are separate wires in the cord). For more info do a search on Wikipedia for USB, and Goggle and right here at Amazon for USB car chargers.
I found a great dual charging unit elsewhere for $15 including shipping. With the dual unit I can charge my eTrex Vista HCx and phone or PDA, both at the same time. Just make sure the power output is 4.75 to 5.25V, that's the USB power specification. All but one of the units I found where in the proper power range though one was 7.2V, which is too high.
BTW, the little connector at the eTrex is also a USB connecter, just a different type (shape) then you may be used to. They call it a `mini USB,' while the larger one on the other end (of the cord that came with the unit) is a `USB type A', the same you typically see for computers and flash cards. It doesn't matter though, they are just differently shaped connectors that do exactly the same thing.
Don't pay Garmin's outrageous prices. Get a USB car adapter and power your eTrex through the USB cord supplied with your unit. It's the same as when you plug your unit into your computer's USB port and the computer supplies the unit with 5V power. Enjoy
Buy Garmin Vehicle Power Cable Now
I ordered this item from Electrogalaxy through Amazon.com and received a 110 volt power cable. I'm not sure what it would fit.Electrogalaxy did not respond to my emails as to getting the right product or determining if the description is wrong. Instead they refunded my purchase, minus the $8 it cost to ship it back to them. This is their stated policy so if you can't trust them to send the right product, don't buy from them.
In short, I'm $8 in the hole with nothing to show for it, other than the knowledge to not buy from this company.
I would recommend you email the company before purchasing this item to verify what you are getting.
Read Best Reviews of Garmin Vehicle Power Cable Here
Works fine with my Vista HCx, just way overpriced!But, it allows the use of the GPS in the car without using your batteries, and is great for turning up the brightness, as others have noted.
Garmin really does need to think some things through however. Both their AC and DC adapters are just that, adapters. The Vista HCx GPS I use accepts rechargeable batteries, but neither of their adapters are designed to charge batteries, but only to supply voltage to operate?! Kind of short-sighted on their part.
Good product, but I'm deducting points for price, and being unable to function as a charger.I have two of these things. When used with a car lighter outlet, they cause my Legend Cx to overheat. When used with a true 12v. power source, they work fine. Most cars actually run at about 13.6 to 14 volts instead of 12. Garmin is trying hard to help me resolve this, but in the meantime, be aware that certain units may experience problems with this system.It's fine as a charger but I wish Garmin had designed it as a standard 1 pin charger and placed the access point at he base of the unit not the top rear. Horrible placement. Also cord is way too long and is difficult to get the charger into the usb port. I am also concerned that the constant opening and closing of the rubber flat the waterproofs the usb port will damage it.
Uniden SC200 Handheld Sport Scanner with 200 Channels
- 200 channels, 12 bands/10 banks
- Twin Turbo scan and search
- One-touch weather scan
- Alpha text display
- Backlit LCD display/auto backlight
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I've had a Uniden SC200 scanner for a couple of years now and absolutely love it. I'm a big auto racing fan and take it to the track whenever I attend a race. During practice I can listen in to the drivers talking to their pits and the alphanumeric display lets me easily see who is talking. I pick up the frequencies for free from various Web sites (e.g. Race By Race let's me use WinScan Sport to download them straight to the scanner). During the race, I tune into the TV production frequencies to hear the commentary and set up priority channels to break away whenever my favorite drivers' say something (Paul Tracy is always fun). I usually monitor race control too. It adds a whole new dimension to being there at the track.Read Best Reviews of Uniden SC200 Handheld Sport Scanner with 200 Channels Here
I researched a lot of models before purchasing this one. You cannot go wrong with the Uniden/Bearcat name. I weighed the features against the price and this was the most economical in my mind.I programmed the channels myself. Once I got into a rhythm, I finished all Cup drivers and a good portion of the Busch drivers in about 30 minutes. We have used at several races and we have so much more fun being in touch with so many different aspects of the race MRN/PRN, race control, drivers, etc.
The scanner is a nice compact size. I clip it onto my leg with an extra belt to prevent it from falling. A Y-cable is needed for more than one headset. I also have a 4 way intercom box (aircraft) and used the scanner with it. This will require additional cables as well.
GreatShield Windshield Dashboard Universal Smart Holster Car Mount for Cell Phones and GPS Devices -
The major problem was that within 2 to 3 weeks, the holder became "frozen" in position and could no longer be rotated or the angle changed. An attempt to change the angle (with only mild pressure) caused the holder to snap into two pieces, just below the ball joint.(NOTE: This review was written 2 months after I bought it. Then updated 3 months after I bought it)
This is a great clip. I use it for my 5" navigator.
It has one arm of the clip side that is spring loaded. It can be a little difficult with mounting it one handed, but I do it. I take my device and push up the arm (spring loaded), then fit my device in, and then release. To take it out, you could just yank it out, but that will probably wear the rubber grips on the side.
The mount has a twist on for the bottom side suction cup. Typically for windshield mounting. You put the base toward your windshield or flat mounted base (provided), and then rotate the base to create a suction seal to hold it in place.
The mount that is provided is about the size of the circular base on the holster. Use this mount if you want to mount to a dash or some other location (not windshield) that is flat (or near flat), and will not be a good source for a suction cup mounting. Like dash boards with that vinyl coating on top.
The round plastic mount (what they are calling a pedestal) has a sticker on back, but it also has 3 tiny mounting holes, to screw it into place. It does not come with the mounting screws. Uses size 4 screws for this option. Use mounting screws with the sticker on back if you want to have more mounting strength than just the sticky back. (I don't trust sticky back products in the car. The high heat in summer always melts the glue away.) I used the 3 holes and screwed it into the dash, so you might be aware of that option.
The great thing is that the holster (as the picture shows) can go on and come off very easily with the twist of the base. The suction is released. The plastic mount (bracket) stays in place always. But this gives you the option to switch to mounting on windshield too.
It is very adjustable in angles. Rotates 0, 15, 30, 45, etc up to 360 degrees. (OK... maybe not exactly 15 degree increments, but it clicks to various angles). I haven't been moving it around much, so I'm not sure the wear and tear on the joints.
I don't have the dimension of the round mounting plate (pedestal), but it's about 2" in diameter. And about 1/16" thick.
For the price, I don't think you'll find a better product with this much flexibility. I certainly have enjoyed mine for the past 2 months.
---UPDATE-------OK... 3 months now, after I have it... and it's broken!
The little plastic (and I emphasize... plastic) arm that attaches to the rotating ball just snapped.
I understand why too. It takes the most stress when you need to move the holder around.
The rotating ball (that allows the clamp to rotate) has a tendency to get sticky and gets stuck in place.
The plastic arm then takes a large force to 'crack' the seal of the rotating ball.
And THIS WILL happen, when you need to change the angle of your device.
YOU DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I'M NOT BUYING AGAIN. FOR THE PRICE OF 3 OF THESE, I'M SURE I'LL GET A BETTER LONGER LASTING ONE.
I DON'T NEED TO KEEP REPLACING EVERY 3 MONTHS!!!This unit was reasonably priced and delivered ontime however it is a bit too weak to hold the Galxy S3. When you hit a bump the phone spins around. Pretty iritating when you need to keep repositioning the phone as you are driving trying to check traffic conditions through google maps. In addition the arm that hold the device need some type of edge to hold in the phone better. The rubber that covers them onbt he inside does not hold the phone very well.Not too strong. product was working fine until it broke in half. at the ball point were it rotates. thats all i have to say.
Cobra MicroTalk PR 4100-2 WX VP 16-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)
- UHF/FM band for ultra-clear reception with a range up to 16 miles
- 22 channels combined with 38 privacy codes provide 836 privacy channels
- 10 NOAA weather channels, 10-channel memory, scan function and auto-squelch
- Unique battery-saver circuit, roger-beep, 10 call alerts, and key lock
- Weigh 3.7 ounces, measure 2.2 x 6.6 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D), and backed by 1-year warranty
The biggest range I was able to get from them in a residential area was around 1 mile, and a good usable range would be around 1/2 mile. This was not exactly line-of-sight, with a lot of residential houses in between. So, yeah, the 16-mile range claim is completely bogus, and it would be stupid to expect something like that from a 2-watt GMRS radio. Hence, I find 0.5 mile usable range to be respectable, but I wouldn't say that about the advertising claims of the manufacturer, of course.
Curiously, the transmitt power seems to be very similar to my 5-mile radios. The main difference is in quality. With these radios I'm able to receive the same signal further away, and it is much clearer.
So far, the most use I got out of these radios was on a 400 mile trip to LA. With my old radios, I had to be almost right next to the other car to communicate, a car in between or distance over 300 feet will make the signal too weak. The new radios were working very well. Granted, our cars didn't get further than 1/2 mile apart, but in that range the signal was always very strong and clear. I was very comfortable using them during the entire trip.
Pros:
AAA batteries easily replaceable, when stock batteries die.
Handsfree compatible very useful when skiing or driving.
NOAA forecasts kills time when bored on a camping trip.
Handy volume knob put on high to hear a call, then set to comfortable level to communicate.
Weatherproof wouldn't dunk them, though, and they don't float.
Cons:
Unstable when in the charging base.
Hand-straps could be useful with these.
I'm glad these radios use AAA rechargeables. I'm only going to use my radios several times a year and I'm sure they will last much longer than the batteries will (build quality is pretty good, BTW). Li-ion batteries only make sense when you use your radios a LOT, otherwise store your Li-ions half-discharged in a fridge, or they will loose their capacity in just a couple of years.
The original Cobra handsfrees are overpriced, and although, they have the same plug as many cell phone hansfrees, polarity is reversed. Of course, that last part can be fixed with just a little soldering. I'm anxious to try these radios on the slopes, when ski season starts. Then would be a good time to update this review.
Buy Cobra MicroTalk PR 4100-2 WX VP 16-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) Now
The only reason I gave these radio's 3 stars is because I know they are the same as any other 2-way radio's. I also own a set of Uniden 5 Mile FRS 2 way radio's, but I decided to buy an extra set so each user can have their own charger.I also like that these Cobra radio's use standard AAA rechargeable batteries. This way when the batteries go bad you just buy another set of rechargeable batteries.
Do not believe the claims of 16 mile range, they barely do 1 mile if you are lucky. In fact my other set which is supposed to do 5 miles go just under a mile in reality about the same as these 16 mile ones. I don't know how they can advertise this, but they are all the same.
I tried them in low and in high and the distance was the same. Here's the kicker, I read the manual that says in order to use these legally in high power setting, you will need a license from the government? A license so you can talk a full mile away? That's a load of crap. Seriously, these things are nothing but a toy and a license to use them is laughable.
I have no problem keeping them on low power, especially since I will only be using them to contact the house next door (a relative). My new cell plan is only 200 minutes prime so these will do the job just fine, just don't expect much distance out of them.
I ran the test in my area which has a lot of trees. I left one home with my wife and drove my car away, I even turned down the windows. I had a fully charged battery in both and both were set at high.
Do not expect anything better from other brands, good luck. By the way, the price for these here at Amazon is great and I would sugest buying them if they fit your needs. There is 8 AAA rechargeable batteries includes, that's a value of at least $20 just for the batteries, so you get these 2 way radios for really cheap when you consider the value of the rechargeable batteries.Claim of 16-Mile transmission is optimistic at best. Good quality and appearance. Fun. Especially find the weather band feature appealing. First AND second packages contained faulty charging base. Cobra Corp. tech support has not responded. Have decided to try a third time due to deal and overall quality.
Want Cobra MicroTalk PR 4100-2 WX VP 16-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) Discount?
The batteries look like regular recharable batteries. 600 mah NI MH. Well, good luck replacing these batteries. I got new ones that were the same 1.2V and NI MH but 800 mah (longer running). Though the batteries operate the unit just fine, the charger will not accept the batteries. At this point, it's cheaper just to replace he units.I have had these radios for about 1.5 years now. In the beginning, they worked ok not what I would expect for the money. One of the radios now has not worked for the last year or so. We use them mainly for hunting and can't depend on them at all. I have a pair of Uniden 12 mile radios that work constantly regardless of temperature, weather, terrain etc. The unidens are crystal clear up to at least 3 miles (the furthest test), the Cobras work sometimes at distances slightly over 1/2 mile. The radio that does not work will not transmit or receive without cutting in and out. I've talked to Cobra and they suggest that the age and use may have shorted out the PTT button. Seeing as how they have less then 20 hours on them, I don't feel the quality is very good. I would avoid these at all costs and go with a cheaper model (Uniden or Oregon Scientific The $14 pair of O.S. have been used in the same conditions for over 10 years and I've never had a problem with them.)Progressive Dynamics PD9160AV Series 9100 60 Amp Electronic Power Converter
- Electronic Current Limiting
- High Voltage Protection
- Reverse battery protection
- Light weight
- Quiet sensor ceiling fan
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This is a good product. Really simple to install. Runs very quietly and handles the power load very well. We have ours installed vertically and it is running without problems. The remote display pad is nice to quickly know how your battery is doing and if you need to charge it soon. I think the 60 Amp may have been overkill but having the extra power has never made me unhappy. I was also very happy with the quality of the materials this product is built with and how well the parts are put together. I would buy this again.TomTom VIA 1500 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
- Features:Real Time Traffic Updates, Emergency Menu, Advanced Lane Guidance, IQ RouteTM, Text-to-Speech
- Mapping Features: Turn-by-Turn Voice Instructions, Built-In Maps, 3-D Map View, Automatic Route Recalculation, Map Share Technology
- Map Coverage: United States
- Display Features:LCD Screen, Touch Screen
- Screen Size: 5.0 "
- Screen Resolution: 480 x 272
- Built-In Memory Storage Capacity: 4GB
- Wired Connectivity: USB 2.0
- Mount Type: Suction
- Includes:Car Mounts, Car Adapter, Adhesive Mounts, User Manual, USB Cable
- Dimensions: 5.3 " H x 1.3 " W x 3.7 " T
- Weight: 0.5 Lb.
- Warranty Description: 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty
Since the review was written tomtom has fixed the map update issue. The only other complaint I would have is my mount broke early on. I can get it put together and working but then it pops apart again pretty easy.
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Normally I don't write reviews,and certainly I'm not going to submit a novel here, but I do need to let others know what I personally think, especially given the two reviews that had a bad experience. Mine was terrific. Its a very solid, but lightweight unit. The integrated mount system is very elegant and it plain works. When collapsed, the device fits neatly into either a center console or a glove box. The cord is important as without it, the unit will not be able to predict traffic. There is a small knob on the cord that lives close (6-12 inches?) to the GPS when mounted, which is not at all obtrusive, but it receives a radio signal relaying traffic info. So the cord charges AND delivers important info. Pretty slick--so it doesn't add bulk to a nice thin piece of hardware. Gotta tell you, the screen is beautiful. 5 inches is just sweet. I used to have a much smaller one and I wasn't keen on a big unit, but boy this is nice! Oh, and it rotates! 90º or 180º, so it fits anywhere! All the relevant info, and you decide what else you want to show up. Totally customizable interface too. I could have sprung for the more expensive blue-tooth and voice activated gizmo, but that's not my style. Get me there, and tell me if there's a problem ahead and I'm a very happy camper. Last note. I did plug it into my computer and updated the device. Waited as I was supposed to, and then viola! All set and good to go. No issues. Enjoy!Read Best Reviews of TomTom VIA 1500 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Here
Can't add a lot more than what Wolverine has already written, except to emhasize I haven't experienced any problems with my Tom Tom VIA 1500 unit. Maps updated in my first connection (several months ago) and it has worked flawlessly from day-one.Once you've become familiar with it's menu structure it's easy to use and adjust to your specifications. It does a great job warning of traffic delays as well as offering alternative routes when it will save you time. I love it's big screen, how easy it is to attach to your windshield or to other surfaces and the ease it is to adjust it to the best viewing angle.
Owning a stand-alone GPS with these features (especially in comparison to those on many smartphones today) to me is a no-brainer. It's well worth the cost in consideration of the savings in time and frustration when you find yourself traveling to unfamiliar areas. No longer do I need to look up and print out maps via the 'Net! With regular use the Tom Tom has easily paid for itself.
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I have five GPS units now and three are tomtoms, with the VIA 1500TM as my most recent purchase. The initial setup was without error and while sitting on the kitchen table waiting for update it immediately found satellites! I didn't expect that based on some previous reviews of this unit. I have used the traffic and red light camera feature and find the menu simple and intuitive. The screen is clear and the window mount works well. There is no advertising like other brands. And the website update works without a hitch. I am glad I bought it and perhaps I jumped the gun for it to be an X-mas present. Oh well!GREAT GPS!! Updated after 5 years of using the TomTom One. What a difference in every respect. Great mount (no more falling off the windshield); swivel view; traffic indication; etc. Add to that that I paid north of $150 years ago for substantially less technology. This is an incredible leap forward. Yeah!!!!!iKross Solar Powered Windshield Mount Wireless Bluetooth Speakerphone Handsfree Car Kit
I bought this unit because, it was small, solar powered and bluetooth. The unit is small,I have it on the upper left of my windshield, easy to use, works very well. I like the fact that I can audio text with my phone.
Two things could be better, the speaker, and the transmission quality. Otherwise, this is a great product at a great price.iKross Solar Powered Windshield Mount Wireless Bluetooth Speakerphone Handsfree Car Kit
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I put my order in and it arrived the day it was promised. I love this thing. It is portable and has good sound.Not Great .. Not Horrible .. Nothing to write home about!I bought this cause it was cheap .. and guess what? its kinda cheap! LoL
Volume is fair .. could be WAY louder for me.
Mic is fair .. most people say it sounds like a speaker phone
( Probably because it is LoL )
But they say they can hear me OK Some back ground noise ect.
Like the other reviewer the volume controls are on the left side
which make it impossible to adjust the volume if you have it on
the edge of your windshield like Both of us do.
Good: Its Solar Powered Very Cool! So No charging .. no cords!
Bad: Freaking thing turns off after 15 minutes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They say it has a standby of 1000 hours!
Well How can you tell??? If it turns OFF after 15 minutes!!!!!
( Wouldn't that be a standby time of infinity LoL )
Gave it 1 star because of it turning off after 15 minutes!
Also Because it makes it very inconvenient to use!
because you have to turn it back on every time you need it!
Other wise I guess its a 3 star because it does work.I'm editing my original review. Everything I wrote before is still true, however I almost never use this anymore. The main reason is the range it's too large. It say it has a 10 meter range, and it does but that's 30 feet. No cars are that big, but it's a large enough range to cover pretty much anywhere in my house or office when I'm parked.
I'll forget to turn this off before I leave the car, and the next time I try to make or answer a call in my house or at work, it sends the audio to the speaker. The only solution I've found that doesn't involve me going back out to my car is to turn off the bluetooth on my phone, which is a little too annoying, since I then have to remember to turn both the speaker and my phone bluetooth on the next day before I can use it.
A one meter range would have been sufficient, and done a lot to help with the usability. As it is, I can't in good conscience recommend this anymore, and I'm going to look for another solution myself.
******
The mount works well, the speaker is loud, and it's nice to be able to set it up there and forget about it.
However, the audio isn't that great. Usually it's clear, but sometimes it's hard to make out what the person you're talking to is saying. Also, the buttons to control the volume are on the left of the device, which make it impossible to adjust the volume if you have it on the edge of your windshield like I do. The instructions suggest mounting it in the middle of the windshield right in front of the driver (seriously, there's a photo and everything) but that's crazy.
It works well for what I wanted it for broadcasting my phone so I can hear Waze.
High Quality USB Wall Charger Adapter For Barnes & Noble Nook,WHITE
- Works with any USA style outlet
- Very simple and convenient to use
- Smart design with built-in charging circuitry to prevent overcharge
- Made of High Quality Durable Hard Plastic
- Fast Charges!
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Prompt shipping and it works as stated in the product description. Did not require any special training, my wife plugged it in and the red light came on, it works.Read Best Reviews of High Quality USB Wall Charger Adapter For Barnes & Noble Nook,WHITE Here
It's new to the household, so this will be a first impression. Anyhting you can make work without having to plug it in to the computer is good with me. So far this item works as advertised.Want High Quality USB Wall Charger Adapter For Barnes & Noble Nook,WHITE Discount?
Ordered this product for a couple Nook e readers not sure how good it would be. Works perfect, came fast and one whole lot cheaper then buying 1 at Barnes and Noble. Got 3 for the price of one. Do highly recommend. I know some reviews claimed problems, but for me a great buy.THIS ITEM DOES THE JOB IN CHARGING MY NOOK FOR AT LEAST HALF THE PRICE. i HAVE BEEN USING IT FOR MORE THAN A YEAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM.Griffin 9865-TFLEX5G TuneFlex Auto Charger with Flexible Docking Cradle for iPod
- Flexible steel neck that adjusts to any angle, and a cradle that securely grips your iPod Nano
- Plugs into your car's 12-volt cigarette lighter accessory outlet, providing power and charging your iPod
- Low-high audio output switch that ensures clear sound without distortion
- Built-in, 0.125-inch stereo line-out audio jack lets you attach an audio cable directly to your stereo, or run the included cassette adapter into your stereo's tape cassette player
- Compatibility: iPod (1G only)
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Easy to install and works great with the cassette adapter. The amp. boost feature and level sound could not work better. The one small problem is the 30 GB ipod does not fit tight and on bumpy roads causes the sound to go in and out.There are only 2 of these things in the market....well, the time I bought it there were only 2. This one and the Ten Technology one. This product is excellent!!!!! 2 things though 1) The switch from high output to low output is basically useless. 2) The rubber thingie that keeps the cradle from moving gets weak in time. But then again, I would really recommend this product!!! I'm getting another one if something happens to this one!Want Griffin 9865-TFLEX5G TuneFlex Auto Charger with Flexible Docking Cradle for iPod Discount?
This thing moves and wobbles and turns and absolutely will not hold my ipod classic. While trying to set it up right it snapped at the base completely ruining it. I suppose you might like it if you have a lighter ipod like the nano but for me this was a giant pain in the ###. I'm glad I only spent 10 bucks on it instead of 30 or 50.Don't waste your money.It's a good product for playing my iPod touch in the car (I don't have an AUX jack). The FM transmitters I tried all had a terrible signal; luckily I have a tape deck so I can use the cassette adapter in this package. The one thing I didn't think about before I bought this was that the charge plug and the headphone jack are both on the bottom of the iPod. That means I can either play my iPod in the car, or I can charge it but not both at one time. (When the adapter is plugged in, you physically can't plug it into the cradle.) I can still sit the device in the cradle so I can look at it and control it while it plays music, but it is kind of a bummer, since I could have just purchased a cassette adapter for much cheaper.
It does seem to fit quite snugly in the cigarette lighter...I haven't tried to remove it yet because I read another review on here where the buyer ruined the entire device and his plug trying to pry the thing out. But, I can easily pull it out enough for the power to disconnect so the green light isn't on all the time. Then I just push it back down if I want to charge.
I also haven't experienced the "drooping" some people have described, but I haven't had the item that long. The control arm is plenty long enough for my car, a Dodge Stratus. It's actually the perfect length.
If you have an iPod touch or iPhone and no way to play it in your car, I'd say the cassette adapter is the way to go, but check around for something that might be less expensive, since this can't charge and play simultaneously anyway.
Goal Zero 12401 Nomad 13.5M Solar Panel
- 13.5-watt mono-crystalline solar array
- Foldable Nylon construction is lightweight and portable
- Water-resistant to protect from the elements
- Built-in pocket to store connector cord
- Four sturdy grommets provide various hanging options
For the review part: For whatever i want to purchase i do A LOT of investigation in advance (Youtube videos, (amazon) reviews, forums, blogs) and always want to spend my money on the ONE best option available. This only works in theory (at least for me...), in practice i nearly always end up in ordering two or more items, because i simply can't decide between them.
The solar panel was supposed to power a Galaxy Tab 7 (battery = 3,7v * 4000mah= 14,8wh), a HTC Desire HD (3,7v * 1230mah = 4,5wh), some portable USB Speakers ( unfolded!
I took my two panels, my USB stuff and a multimeter outside on a semicloudy day (which is pretty much "standard weather" where i live).
Both panels were lying flat on the ground, with no shadows and partly cloudy sky. Both panels delivered about 18V (sunlinq 17 and goal zero higher with 18-19V) with no load. When switching the multimeter to Amp measurement was when my jaw dropped. GZ: 0.04A and Sunlinq: 0,5A (* 12V). Tilting the GZ panel towards the (non visible) sun though increased output to 0,138A. Tilting the sunlinq towards the sun is tough, because its similar to truck canvas and folds together too easy. Did not improve output by much anyhow...
To make it short: Both panels fell short in delivering the necessary power for my needs and my weather conditions. The Sunlinq did perform better on this partly cloudy day, but still i needed the whole day to charge the Anker2! It might work for me, but most likely i will upgrade to a 20+ watt panel with CIGS cells.
What i liked about the nomad:
The formfactor when unfolded (folded it's quite a brick)
The looks (designed in the US)
Quality seemed alright (made in China)
What i disliked:
too bulky when folded (in comparison to the sunload panel)
danger of breaking (Manual says NOT to bend and NOT to walk on the panel because of the non flexible solarcells The sunlinq feels softer, more like a tarpaulin). That's propably why they throw in an empty pack in the commercial video.
I do not want to carry a multimeter all day, only to find the correct angle for this panel to perfom. That might be the reason why mono cells are installed on roofs with special calculated angles. This is where they perform best.
weight in comparison to the sunlinq / in relation to it's performance
4.7mm special connector (SAE on the Sunlinq is motorcycle standard)
Output of the USB out not clearly declared (GZ-Website says 5V and 0,5A, printing on panel says 5Watt bad transformation? or bad translation?). Did not even get the 0,5 out though, when it was cloudy.
The Sunlinq panel is technically identical to the Brunton, Motomaster, Me2 and Sunload panels , as there is only one company which builds/"prints" these CIGS cells ("global solar" in Tucson and Berlin). Differences are only connectorwise.
In a perfect world Goal Zero would use CIGS cells for their future products
Hope this helps (pretty time consuming as i am native german and have to think twice before i write sth. in english, but i benefit a lot from american reviews and thought i'd share a "kind of" objective review).
Update 6/16/12: Got myself 2 higher rated panels for comparison: The P3 with 30wp and the sunlinq 25wp ("sunlinq 5").
First impression:
The P3 is about 2-3 times thicker than the other sunlinqs (12wp and 25wp). Apart from that, there is no big difference (in performance) at all. The only difference technically is a much higher open circuit voltage for the p3 (28V!!!), which does require a (MPPT?) charge controller as an extra investment. So all in all it depends on whether you are willing to pay nearly double the price for a ridiculous amount of extra performance, a 2yr warranty and a military tag, or not.
Buy Goal Zero 12401 Nomad 13.5M Solar Panel Now
If you are wondering whether or not to get this, go ahead and try it. This solar panel is one tough little cookie. I have this solar panel as part of the Goal Zero Sherpa 50 adventure kit. The panel folds up nicely and is easy to carry. I took it to Afghanistan with me this year, and it still works good. Sure, it has a few scratches on the panels here and there, but it hasn't affected its performance to date. This panel has fallen over due to wind onto my concrete porch floor and did not break. It even fell from my truck (4 feet) onto the driveway and survived!!I can charge my Sherpa 50 watt battery in about 1 and 1/2 days with it.
GO ahead and buy it!!
Read Best Reviews of Goal Zero 12401 Nomad 13.5M Solar Panel Here
This is my third Goal Zero purchase and I was pleased and surprised to find that the output measure 20.1 watts when measured (without load) in direct September sunlight in southwest Missouri. I purchased this unit as a more powerful addition to the Nomad 7 which I use when backpacking to charge my cell phone and GPS. This unit has twice the panels of the Nomad 7, is still light weight and folds compactly for storage in my backpack. Like the Nomad 7, the Nomad 13.5M has grommets to attach it to the backpack to allow charging while on the move.I did not see the connection to directly attach the Guide 10 or Guide 10 Plus battery packs that are the mainstay of the Nomad 7; but in addition to the standard USB port for general electronic device charging it does come with the plug to directly charge the Escape 150, a standard 12 V. auto plug connector, and a connection to chain connect other Goal Zero panels. I plan to contact Goal Zero to see what options are available to connect the Guide 10 battery packs to the Nomad 13.5M or to see if I've simply overlooked the obvious connection.
I haven't taken this panel into the woods yet but I have placed it on the dash and used it to charge my android via the USB and the 12 V car charger connection as I drive home from work. Everything I've looked at so far on this unit suggest that it charges at least twice as fast as the Nomad 7 which was my first Goal Zero purchase. I'm very pleased with all the Goal Zero products I've purchased to date.
I also have to say a good word about the customer support I received when my Escape 150 didn't perform to expectations after the first couple weeks of use. I sent an email to the support line and received a prompt response with some special instructions to reset the battery. The instructions worked great for the next charge but the problem came back a week later. A second email to the company letting them know that the problem had returned was all it took and they sent a replacement battery. No hassle, no arguments, and no waiting for the bad battery to be returned or shipping charges. Even though I was initially uneasy and concerned that I experienced a problem with the Escape 150 immediately after purchase the excellent customer support convinced me that this was a company that stands behind their products and that I could trust. As a result of this customer service I now own the Nomad 13.5 and the Goal Zero Boulder 15 solar panel in addition to my previous purchases.
Want Goal Zero 12401 Nomad 13.5M Solar Panel Discount?
I purchased this solar panel because of the size and power output. I was happy when I received it and then upset when it didn't have all the outputs listed. NO SOLAR OUTPUT 6.5Product was listed as having this output (compatible with goal zero guide 10 plus battery chargers I also purchased) The product technical specs listed are for the Nomad 13, not the Nomad 13.5 (an older model). I contacted Goal Zero (who sells this) and Amazon (who lists this incorrect information) and informed them of the mistake. I had to send mine back and order the Nomad 13. Still waiting on a refund for the Nomad 13.5 I thought they would change the listing for this after I informed them of the mistake, but I see they haven't. Be aware at the time of this review the technical specs are still listed incorrectly. The only outputs on this is 12v and USB .5amp.
The Nomad 13 has:
USB 1 AMP
SOLAR OUTPUT
CHAIN CABLE
12V
The Nomad 13.5 has:
USB .5 AMP
CHAIN CABLE/12V
CHAIN INPUT
When I say chain I mean a cable to connect more than 1 panel together for shared power.
A final thought, I wish the 13.5 had worked, the 13 is only 2 panels and a little larger, the 13.5 is smaller.Comes with a weird size plug on the end, but some quick changes with a soldering iron fixed that quick smart.
Some of the panels look kind of second-grade, with weird numbers of cells in each panel, but it charged my battery in the time expected with the given wattage.
Good product and would buy again!

