Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger (Silver)

See Larger Image	Manufacturer: Better Energy Systems Average Customer Rating:


Batteries Included: 0 Binding: Electronics Brand: Solio Color: Silver EAN: 0873028000594 Feature: Universal "hybrid" solar battery charger with internal battery for charging portable electronics Is Autographed: 0 Is Memorabilia: 0 Label: Better Energy Systems Manufacturer: Better Energy Systems Model: S11-G07A Publisher: Better Energy Systems Studio: Better Energy Systems
Features Universal "hybrid" solar battery charger with internal battery for charging portable electronics Internal battery absorbs energy from 4 hours in the wall socket or 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight Charges iPods, cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs, game players, GPS units, or digital cameras 3 blades spread out to absorb maximum sunlight; stores power for more than 1 year Includes global wall charger; measures 2.5 x 1.3 x 4.7 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty
Accessories 3-Year Extended Service Plan - Covers Electronic Items $0-$200 - Repair
Related Items Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger (Pink) Suunto X9i Wrist-Top GPS Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and GPS (Military) SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor Better Energy Systems Smart Phone Adapter Tip Pack for Solio Solar Chargers
Editorial Reviews: Solio stores power from the sun or socket allowing you to recharge your mobile phone, iPod or other handheld devices. Now including seven tips and cables, the new Solio Hybrid Charger offers an even greater range of compatibility with your devices. A fully charged Solio will recharge your average phone at least once if not twice. Solio's intelligent internal circuitry and Interchangeable Tip System lets you charge devices at about the same rate as their dedicated wall chargers.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Fun, but anemic Comment: I've had varying success with my Solio. Took me awhile to get a hang of the device's fickleness, but I'm able to successfully (albeit partially) charge my iPhone (which needs charging at least every other day). The trick is that it really takes me two full days of leaving the Solio out in the sun to get a full charge. Their site claims "Charging Solio's internal battery takes 8-10 hours of direct sunlight." I haven't found that to be the case. I really need TWO days to fully charge the device. Of course, if I didn't have a life, I could change the placement of the charger throughout the day to point directly at the sun as it moves through the sky, and this would probably get close to a full charge in a normal day. When the Solio DOES fully charge, I only get about 1/2 to 3/4 charge to my iPhone, and not more. So two days of work for maybe a work's day of usage for the iPhone. Better than nothing, but not something I'd depend my life on... In short, I'd describe the Solio as "fun, but anemic". The device actually works and charges devices, but I probably save more money and benefit the environment more by hanging my clothes out to dry (instead of using the dryer) then getting 1/2 charge for my iPhone every couple of days. Customer Rating: Summary: research solar power before bashing Comment: Look, I see a lot of people out here writing crap reviews because it doesnt charge fast or anything, etc. Those people need to research solar power. If just one of the cells aren't in the right sunlight, then the power production could be cut in half. And behind windows, the solar energy getting through is much less because some rays are reflected by the glass. And in the manual, it clearly states it take 12-24 hours of direct sunlight to fully charge the battery, meaning it must be aligned properly with the sun. Mine works fine, sometimes has a little problem charging, but these solar chargers are new products. Anyone who bought this should have seen Al Gore's Speech. Remember computer chips and how much they evolved year after year? Its the same with solar power, and because these are new, they will be quirky. So if you had a bad experience with it, say it, but don't complain about how all of these products suck because of one problem. Customer Rating: Summary: Little panels. Moving target. Comment: Nothing ever charges as fast as we want it to. The Solio is no different. Point it at the sun and the little red LED on the back comes on to led you know that you're in a good position and that it is charging. The caveat is that you're aiming at a moving target. If you're not pointing directly at the sun you're still charging, just not nearly as well. The first night I had it I charged the Solio from a wall outlet then used it to top off my blackberry that night. It charged it with no issue and drained the Solio to about 40% (2 blinks - 20% per blink). Ever since I've been trying to position it in my parked car to fully charge, but have yet to fully charge it through pure solar use. That being said, I've been setting it on the dash of my car and leaving it there. It's charging. It would charge even faster if I always had it outside facing the sun without uv filtering glass in the way, but it IS working. If I spent a lot of time outdoors, the Solio would be IDEAL. As it is, I find it would be more of use (for me personally) in an emergency kit. It DOES work though. If you want faster charging, get something with more solar cell area. Customer Rating: Summary: Do Not Buy Comment: The charger worked well the first time that I used it, but now the power will not stay on to charge my cell phone. The website states that this is a known problem with some motorola phones, but it also occurs with my blackberry. Totally worthless to me. Customer Rating: Summary: Love it!!! Comment: Unlike some of the reviews on here... I LOVE MY SOLIO!! I am really not sure why others would say that it is does not work, because I use my Solio to charge my phone and iPod ALL of the time and have never had a problem. And the one time I did have a question, their support team was super nice and even sent me a free tip for my new phone :) One thing that is cool about Solio versus other solar chargers I have tried is that it stores power. It does take about 8 hours of good sun, but I just leave mine in the car or outside on nice days, and it saves the charge for when I need it. I am slowly trying to get into living a GREENER lifestyle and Solio was a great start. Now I want to go solar for everything!! More Reviews