goal zero solar charger

[katdaddy2013]

Going to be hunting in unit 74 at 10,000 feet. How is reception there and would this be a good investment or go with something cheaper? Who swears by it? thanks

 

[nodakhorseman]

Not sure where unit 74 is, but I've been using a goal zero for the past few years.

 

[nodakhorseman]

Oops...I accidentally hit send.

One particular backcountry area I hunted had good enough reception where I could check in at night with family as I was hunting solo. The charger worked great, but my iPhone was being a bit fussy with compatibility. I was able to work around it though by using the female cigarette lighter adapter that comes with the charger. I then used the car charger for my phone and it worked beautifully. When hunting from a base camp, I'd simply leave it at camp charging (had a SPOT on me for emergencies) and it was always full upon return. When hunting a week solo, I sometimes like to watch a movie before crashing. Overall an effective purchase for me.

 

[Becca]

We have the goal zero nomad solar panel, and find it works best with the guide 10 power pack. Goal zero is pretty clear that you may have trouble charging many devices (like cell phones) directly from the panel because the charge isn't consistent as the sun moves through the sky, and clouds pass, etc. The guide 10 power pack is designed to handle the fluctuating charge, and will recharge well from the panel, as it is designed to. Then you can charge your phone/iPod/other small electronic device off the guide 10 power pack, regardless of whether the sun is out or not. We have had good success charging the power pack by leaving it an the panel out during the day, and then charging my iPhone in the evening. On shorter trips we charge the guide 10 at home ahead of time, and leave the panel at home all together. If I remember right, I got at least two full charges for my iPhone off the guide 10, and still had enough to charge an iPod nano a little bit too.

 

[Bob]

What Becca said...I have the Nomad & Guide 10. I can get 2 charges on my cell phone from the Guide 10.

If your concerned about cell signal and want to keep in contact with family & friends, you may want to look at a Delorme inReach. I have been playing with the smart phone version for about a month now and it works well...pretty cool actually.

 

[ffparamedic]

FWIW......I like the Bushnell and the way it stores a charge until you plug in....and the price point. I have not ordered one yet but it looks good.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Solar-Charger-Reviews

 

[tttoadman]

I can barely get a full charge on my cell phone from my guide 10 battery pack. I have full charged them on the computer and from the panel. I have 2 battery packs. They both seem to react the same way. I have tried charging only with the phone turned off without noticing any real difference.
1. Has everyone had good luck with the batteries that come with the guide 10 pack?
2. Are there better batteries to buy?
3. Is it necessary to charge only with the phone off?

Sorry for hijacking this, but this has been bugging me all winter.

 

[Tim M]

I have had great luck wih my guide 10 and my switch 8 batteries... That being said I did have a set of batteries for my original guide 10 pack that just wouldn't seem to hold a charge, the folks at goal zero said the thought either faulty or old batteries and sent me new ones. have not had any problems since.

And Katdaddy2013 the signal is a little sketchy up there. depends on the weather, how high up you are on a specific peak and what cell phone carrier you are with.

 

[Becca]

I can barely get a full charge on my cell phone from my guide 10 battery pack. I have full charged them on the computer and from the panel. I have 2 battery packs. They both seem to react the same way. I have tried charging only with the phone turned off without noticing any real difference.
1. Has everyone had good luck with the batteries that come with the guide 10 pack?
2. Are there better batteries to buy?
3. Is it necessary to charge only with the phone off?

Sorry for hijacking this, but this has been bugging me all winter.

I haven't had any trouble with the stock batteries myself, but I know that when I tried to replace them with Duracell recharge ables I couldn't get it to work. Probably operator error on my part though. I am interested in picking up an extra set of batteries as an easy way to bring more juice along...

I have typically charged with my phone off, or if on it's been in airplane mode (there are few places with cell reception up here once you get off the road system).

 

[katdaddy2013]

Thanks guys. Reason I was asking is because my son bought one with the battery pack for our trip.