Cheap Solio Classic Hybrid Solar Charger (new)

Customer Ratings:

Most of the five-star reviews were created on September 23. Anyone else find that suspicious?

The solio is okay; it's works for charging your phone one afternoon when you don't need it, or for small emergency charges, but I wouldn't recommend it as a regular back-up plan. I usually just use a fold-out flexible solar panel, which, while more expensive on the whole, was cheaper for the amount of product included and charges way faster.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

I took this product backpacking. First, I wanted to test it, so I placed it outside in the sun to achieve a full charge. After 4 hours, it was minimally charged (maybe 10%), so I plugged into my laptop's USB to finish the charging, which took the rest of the day and all night to reach 100%. Let down number two occurred in the back-country, when my iPhone 3G ran low on juice after a few days of intermittent GPS use. I used the included attachments to connect my iPhone to the Solio Classic and hit the "Start" button (solio's only button--the instructions are odd pictures; no words). The iPhone registered that it was being charged; however, after 5 minutes, I checked the progress only to find that the Solio had quit charging. After attempting this nearly 30 times throughout the next few days, my iphone was none the better, in-fact it probably had less juice from the constant on/off of this disjointed charge attempt. I am unimpressed and will return this item as soon as I get home!

Best Deals for Solio Classic Hybrid Solar Charger (new)

I purchased a Solio Classic for use on a cross country bike trip. The product worked well, recharging a PDA, iPod and cell phone. But a piece (the center bushing around which the solar wings pivot) broke. It was my fault and I figured I could contact the company for a replacement part once I finished the trip.

I emailed them requesting the part, and here was their reply: "Unfortunatly we do not sell parts for your Solio. You will need to purchase a replacment unit."

My response: "This is very disappointing and unreasonable. I am not going to spend tens of dollars replacing a perfectly functional unit simply because an inexpensive plastic part has broken. I suggest you rethink this policy. Since you still manufacture the Classic, the part must still be available. This is really poor customer relations!"

They responded: "We do not do repairs on site. The unit holds a one year warrenty, if you are out of that time period you will have to purchase another unit. I apologize if you do not agree with our policy."

I suggest you do not support a company that on one hand touts its environmental cachet, and on the other promotes the senseless discarding of an easily repairable product.

Honest reviews on Solio Classic Hybrid Solar Charger (new)

Satisfied with product, works as expected.

If you are considering purchasing this charger, keep in mind the following technical considerations:

The charging efficiency of most portable electronics is usually somewhere between 20-70%. Most items like cell phones, GPS units, etc. waste a portion of the recharging energy as heat.

What this means is that this charger, with a 1650MAH battery, can deliver between 330-1155 MAH of charge. If your cell phone has a 1500MAH battery, you will get a maximum of a 77% charge from this, you should expect less.

My LG android phone will charge to about 60% when this is fully charged.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Solio Classic Hybrid Solar Charger (new)

This product took so long to charge that it was pretty much useless. I would try days and days to get a weak charge. Now I just throw it in my drawer since I can't get myself to toss it. (Too painful to just chuck it.) I should learn how to let it go, grieve over my loss, and move on! (btw: I am in the denial stage of grief.) Good luck and hope you have better luck than me.