Solar Chargers - Suggestions?

[Bernard]

I am curious if anyone who does overnighters also carries/uses a solar charger (for phone, GoPro etc.). Seems like a good idea given that some that I have researched are lighter than carrying a charger pack. All said, being disconnected fro one's device(s) is most certainly a great part of the great outdoors but ... well .... Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Gary C.]

A couple of the guys that I backpack with use them. We go for 8-9 day trips and they keep their phones charged the entire trip while using them everyday for pictures, videos, and gps mapping and tracking. They also keep my wifes phone charged up and pretty much anyone elses phone charged. I don't bring my phone but instead carry a camera and gps along with extra batteries and I'm sure that they outweigh the camera / solar charger combo. The quality of todays phone cameras is awesome but I still prefer the quality magnification of my camera but it's not really worth it these days.

[FIGHTONSC]

Bernard,

Here’s the solar setup the Taliban use....that battery does look a little cumbersome though!

AF94A5D0-7E84-45EA-AE6B-45041BA41EEE.jpeg (128.16 KiB) Viewed 3794 times

[John Harper]

Bernard,

Here’s the solar setup the Taliban use....that battery does look a little cumbersome though!

AF94A5D0-7E84-45EA-AE6B-45041BA41EEE.jpeg

Also great for detonating roadside IEDs.

John

[teejay]

I use the Suntactis 5S charger for summer backpacking trips. While I’ve seen some people attach it to their packs, I store mine in an outside pocket and pull it out during extended breaks. Keeps my IPhone charged for photos and navigation app. If you have greater needs- videos,music,books- it may not be up to the task. They do have a larger model with more output.

[duckdog]

I have been using the stuff made by Goal Zero for a couple of years now and have been pretty happy. The solar panels are not too cumbersome, and they make several different size batteries that you can keep charged. Or just directly charge your phone. I have 3 different size batteries , with the smallest being a little larger than a bic lighter and it is good for a single full charge of my phone. I carry that in my hunting vest. There are 2,3,and 4 charge capable batteries as well.

[Bernard]

Thanks so far. I'll pass on the sunshade-jihadist version and will continue exploring options (including the suggestions made so far. I will circle back with what I do eventually use.

[huntingtheriverking]

I have a generic 3 panel charger (similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/KINGSOLAR-Portab ... 60&sr=8-13 )

I have used it on many camping trips to recharge my phone, action camera battery, etc. It works just fine.

Keep an eye on Slickdeals.net for frequent solar panel discounts at Amazon and other locations. I paid around $30 for mine (picked up several).