There is nothing quite like camping. Escape the daily grind, inhale fresh air, get active, explore, sleep and wake with nature’s rhythms and contemplate on the beauty of nature.
Camping does have it’s discomforts however. Trying to light your cooking area and discovering you didn’t bring enough spare batteries, only being able to re-charge your mobile phone when driving or having to blow up your air mattress with your own lung capacity every night are just a few.
If you are into camping, you are probably into nature. If you are into nature, you are probably into sustainable living. You can exist in nature without your batteries, oil or coal for electricity. Grab a portable solar panel and a way to store your solar power.
In the past, you may have been turned off portable solar chargers as most are either gimmicks that would struggle to juice up an orange, or they are large packs that you need to haul around on wheels. These two brands of products below can actually charge smartphones in a reasonable time while still being portable. There are loads of cheap and nasty solar chargers out there, and even if they fit the bill, their efficiency doesn’t. For there to be any point in owning a solar panel, it should produce enough consistent power to charge a phone (and laptop if you wish) and shouldn’t take all day.
Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Kit
The Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Kit is one of Goal Zero’s leading solar chargers, just as seamless in a suburban environment as it is ascending the slopes of Everest. Charge the Guide 10 Plus from the Nomad 7 Solar Panel in just 4 hours or any USB power source in 6 hours. Once charged, use as a single power pack to refuel USB devices, such as smartphones, or remove the batteries to power AA/AAA devices, such as GPS devices and head torches. This is a perfect one-stop shop solution for all your handheld devices.
Goal Zero Venture 30 Solar Recharger
The most rugged, durable, weatherproof phone and tablet recharger on the market, no rubber plugs needed. Charge up from USB or included solar panel. The Venture 30 packs the power you need to keep those small devices, cameras and tablets charged no matter the elements you may be out battling. With an IPX6 weatherproof rating and 7800mAh the Venture will keep everything running smoothly.
- 30 Wh, 7,800mAh Power Pack Power phones (2-3x), tablets (1x) and more. Lightweight and packable from the airport to the trail.
- High-speed USB 4.8A across dual ports Two high-speed ports capable of dishing out the fastest charge possible, at the same time. Power two devices at once or share with a buddy. Integrated Flood Charge optimizes your charging time.
- Solar Ready™ Built-in Charging Tip. No extra cables to lose. Charge up in 4 hours from USB – in 9 hours of full sun from the Nomad 7.
- Waterproof in Use. dunk it, spray it, use it in the rain. Power that handles whatever Mother Nature can throw at you. No rubber plugs needed.
The Voltaic Arc 20W Solar Recharger Kit
Compact and powerful, the Arc 20 Watt (18V) Solar Charger Kit powers your laptops (including MacBooks with optional adapter), DSLRs, smartphones, and other USB devices. This versatile system folds up neatly for storage when traveling and includes the following;
- Voltaic Laptop Battery (72 Wh, 20,000 mAh). This battery can be charged in 6 hours via wall power outlet, car charger or via solar panels. This universal battery charges smartphones, tablets, digital cameras and laptops; apple, microsoft, ASUS, Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic Toughbook, Samsung, Sony VAIO, Toshiba.
- V72 Laptop Battery Car Charger Socket – 5.5 x 2.5mm
- Standard Laptop Adapters
- Laptop Output Cable
- AC Charger (charges V72 battery from AC)
- DC Charger (charges V72 battery from DC, aka car charger.
Boulder 100 Briefcase
Rugged, durable, and rigid. The Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase Solar Panel is built with strong tempered glass and an aluminum frame with added corner protection for temporary or permanent installation. The Boulder 100 Briefcase can be used to power any Goal Zero power station. For the amount of Watts it gives (100W), it will be most effective with the Yeti 400, Yeti 1250, Yeti 1400 or Sherpa 100. Open circuit voltage is 18-20V.
Big fan of these products and look forward to seeing them becoming household (camping-hold) names for solar power essentials.