Solio Classic-i Hybrid Solar Charger

Tried the Solio classic-i hybrid solar charger and similar solar battery and charger from Kiwi. The Kiwi was 2/3rds the price, has a higher capacity battery, but is smaller and lighter and uses a USB port for charging rather than a proprietary one. Plus the Kiwi has a case and many tips (plus option to use a standard USB cable, including one from iGo with a tip). The Solio works ok, it just is not as well designed a product.

This purchase was for a gift for my outdoorsie brother and sister in law. I have had one for two years now. I've taken it to Canada, London, Paris, Florida, Black Rock Desert and to the Mojave desert and various camping excursions. I love the fact you can charge it with a wall charger to get an initial fast charge on it (included international adapters). It will hold that charge for a while (I've not tested how long the charge holds). One press of the button will tell you how much charge is left. 4 blinks green = 100% - 76%, 3 = 75% - 51%, 2 = 50% - 26% and one 25% or less. The charger will grab solar charge while sitting in your back window of your car, on your lap on an airplane, in a sunny spot indoors or attached to your backpack while hiking. The indicator light turns red when you are charging (and has varying intensity depending on how much sun the panels are getting). I can charger my Droid razor to 95% (when my phone dies) in an hour or less off this device. Small, compact and comes with lots of adapters for various devices. Even has a usb connector so if your device does not match any of the provided adapters you can use your USB to device charger to charge it. I ALWAYS pack this when I travel. Price is worth it. If/when mine dies I will buy another one if they don't dissapear.

I am not sure, but I believe this unit has fried the charging receptacle in my phone and mp3 player ($16 to replace the internal battery). After attempting to charge both, the batteries would not take a charge anymore from anything. Very disappointing when 20 miles out on the trail with no tunes or phone. It doesn't seem to have a problem charging my camera though. Take your own chances ...

The Solio can not charge anything out of the box; you must purchase an "iGo Tip" separately for each type of device you want to charge. Prices for each tip may range from $5.00 to $15.00 depending on the device to be charged and the merchant who sells it. USB Micro and USB Mini "iGo Tips" are available, but I have been unable to find a tip that will allow using the Solio with devices which charge from a standard USB port.

Well first off! It's only the charger. I figured it would at least come with a USB out or something. But there is no way to charge anything with it straight out of the box. You have to buy their little charger attachments. For the price that is just unacceptable. Especially considering Goal Zero has a much nicer package for $20 more. Skip Solio, go with Goal Zero.

Performs exactly as described. Was able to charge my iphone battery 2x with re-charging in the sun. While you are charging it, you will have to check it every couple of hours & re-position it so it gets direct rays. The red charging light is kinda hard to see since it is backlit, but with practice, it is easy to see. I like to put it on roof of my car, but the birds dive bomb it for some reason when I do that. Entertaining to watch, but frustrating to have to set it up again. It has been dive bombed 4-5 times and shows only a few scratches.

Went camping with it and it fell about 2' to the dirt and the piece that holds the 3 together broke. I expect a bit better materials. I used twist ties to fix it, and it still works. Have it hanging in my window for the occasional hurricane Sandy experience. Nice to have a bit of juice. But it takes several days to get a decent charge. Love solar technology, but this isn't the one

They say it charges everything, but in the box there are no iGo tips. $10 a pop for each one of those. Nice little racker they have going with iGo!