Reviews of Goal Zero 11406 Guide 10 Plus Silver Battery Pack

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Don't try charging a Kindle 3 with this battery pack. I connected it to my Kindle and shortly there was smoke from the Guide 10. It's dead now. There should be some current limiting built into the unit (other than just burning up). Energizer 2500 mah nickel metal hydride batteries used.

Later that same day: Goal Zero offered a free replacement when I contacted them about getting the unit repaired. Hard to beat that kind of customer service.

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I find it difficult to underhand why this unit is an add on item. This is a more versatile unit due to the up to 1.0 amp ability.

I have used it just a little so far to verify the ability to charge the high drain iPad.

Overall a solid system and while I don't like having to buy two separate chargers, I am glad for the ability to recharge 8 batteries at once with the Nomad 7.

Pros:

1.0 amp recharge ability.

included batteries are low discharge 2300mah type. Good cells.

can charge in addition to the regular guide 10 on one panel.

Cons:

shouldn't have to buy this as a separate unit.

Hope that helps.

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I purchased a kit at my local Costco during a Goal Zero road show back in March that included the Nomad 7 solar panel, the Guide 10+ along with several of the cables etc that are normally sold separately. So far everything has worked great except for the Guide 10+. They claim that the Guide 10+ will charge the average cell phone 3 times, I have an HTC EVO with the standard battery and since it is a smart phone I knew that I would get fewer charges. I was expecting to get at least 2 but my experience has been not even one full charge before the AA batteries are depleted. This might be acceptable except for one glaring omission in its design by Goal Zero. I do not know if they just did not think about it or wanted to save a penny on its manufacture but it does not have a blocking diode in its circuit. What does this mean? well a blocking diode prevents what ever you are charging from discharging back into the Guide 10 batteries when they become depleted. I was not paying close attention to charging my cell phone and when I looked at it the battery was indicating only a 50% charge when a few minutes earlier it was around 90% charged. When the AA batteries became depleted the cell battery then tried to charge the AA batteries back up because of the Guide 10 not having a blocking diode. This is at least for me unacceptable and a very poor design!

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I purchased two of these so I could charge AA and AAA at the same time, as my equipment requires both types of batteries. These work with my iphone 5 and my iPad 2. I purchased the 13.5 watt solar panel and it will only charge this off of the USB. The benefit is that there is more surface area on this solar panel and even with overcast, it continues to charge the Guide 10.

IMPORTANT!!! When you get the Guide 10, there is a small plastic tab that is on the first battery. KEEP THIS and when you are not using your Guide 10, put the clear plastic tab back between the battery and the bottom tab. The reason for this is, it keeps the unit from discharging your batteries. Your batteries will still slowly discharge, but if you don't put the tab back in between the battery and the terminal, it will discharge your batteries quicker. IMPORTANT!!!

With the tab in place, I have been able to retain 70% charge after several months. Using the supplied tab, I am able to charge the batteries up and store the unit for several months and still be able to pull it out and use it. I have heard others say that they pull the one battery out, but I don't want to take the chance of losing one battery. This way, everything stays in place and is ready for use.

Also, you might want to pick up another set of batteries so that one set can be charging in your backpack (with solar panel attached and hanging off the back) while you are using your other set in your gear. Eneloop makes a great 2000mah rechargeable battery for this purpose.

If you are needing more power, the Sherpa 50 is the way to go. Using both the Sherpa 50 and a Guide 10 plus for your equipment that cannot be charged off of USB and uses AA or AAA batteris, is the way to go.

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I bought this as a package with their Solar Panel and the Guide 10 Plus. I liked the idea of having a battery charger, coupled with a solar panel, that could be used to charge small electronics. My first attempt to use this was on my Iphone 5 with the pin adapter that lets you use an older charging cable. This immediately fried it. I should have learned my lesson there, but I really wanted this to work thinking it was the adapter for my phone. Later that day I plugged my Kindle Fire into the Guide 10 and fried my Kindle. I think by Trial and Error we can determine that this is a great battery charger but is not suited for much else although Goal Zero claims it is. I contacted customer support on this issue. They sent me a really nice note saying that this should not happen but pretty much to have a nice day. Please don't buy this to charge anything other than batteries. I have numerous chargers for small electronics that have worked flawless. This isn't one of them. Unfortunate. Their Solar panels are quite good, their battery packs....eh. My one star is based on them advertising this won't cook small electronics and their almost moronic mail to me not understanding they may have a faulty component and they should replace it. I am still working on getting a reply to my mail back to them. Thus far after three days, nothing.