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List Price: $249.99
Sale Price: $199.95
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First off if you're new to solar or mobile power then the first thing you should learn is to have low expectations then multiply it by four. It is nothing resembling grid power. The first piece of good advice is to ask: what are you looking to do with it? And for how long? Also to you need to know what power is, and understand Watts, Amps, and Amp hours, etc., and including the specs on what you wish to power, or you could be burning money by trial and error.
If you are just looking for something to power a smartphone or Pad and in dry conditions then they are other External Battery Pack that will do the job cheaper and better. Where the Sherpa 50v2 shines is more versatility, more rugged and outdoor friendly. A good example is power a few smartphones, LED lighting or a Pad while camping or overnight power failure (Same devises) or just to give your laptop one charge. If you get the AC inverter (I did) then, you have more option, but note using it will use more power than if you had a DC option for the same device. If you need to do this for more than one day then you need to somehow recharge it each day. If you wish to power a CPAP, TV, and/or Coffee then this is not the device. You will need something much bigger. (Yeti 400 or Yeti 1250)
Note this configuration is only wall charging. If you would like to charge it with a car charger that option is sold separately. The same for Solar sold separately, and the AC invert sold separately.
To completely charge the unit using solar in one day (realistically charge real world) then you need multiple (2 or more) GOAL ZERO Nomad 13 chained together or one or two GOAL ZERO Nomad 27. With the most optimum of days, I have not come close to the high end of their Approx. Charge Time using solar.
So! I give it high recommendation for the 50 Watts. The cons are overpriced and not including a car charger as an included standard accessory.
In using it, I charged two iPhone 4 (30% to 100%), one iPad 2 (35% to ~99%), and ran two 3 watt LED lights for 1+ hours on one charge of the SHERPA 50.
If the Sherpa is charged and you have the solar option, you can extend the use by (solar) charging while using it.
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FYI:
Car Charger (The V2 Sherpa 50 above)
Goal Zero Extreme 12V Car Charger is the correct Charger for the V2 Sherpa 50 (8.00mm blue: Same to charge Extreme 350, 150, 400, and 1250 Yeti). "The Goal Zero Sherpa and Escape 12V Car Charger is for the old Sherpa and the Escape; it is 4.7mm cable NOT (NOT!) for The current Sherpa 50 "
Links to the correct one is:
Or
SKU: #90819A
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This is a sweet little bundle of power but be aware that you are limited without purchasing more options.
This package came with an AC wall wart charger, an automobile (female) plug and pigtale with matching Sherpa plug and a short Legacy Nomad adapter 4.7mm to 8mm (CAUTION KEEP THIS ADAPTER even if you don't have solar cells. See Update below) and that's all.
Since I already have USB charging cables for various phones and players I can utilize those on the USB 5.0V 1.5 A port but nothing allows me to charge or run any of my laptops. The Sherpa is switchable between 2 laptop jacks, 12V 6A or 19V 5A. Both are regulated (which is good).
There is a jack on the side for chaining more than one Sherpa with an optional cable or installing an optional small 117 Volt AC inverter ('modified' Sine wave). Using the Inverter in place of a direct connection for charging will of course reduce battery time because of the extra steps to get the voltage up and the converter will normally have a power loss, so if you can use a cable from your device to the Sherpa that's the more efficient way to charge. However if there are no matching cables or it's just some AC device (radio) you want to play the inverter should do it just expect less battery time.
The Inverter is 75 Watts so be reasonable what you plug into it. I plan on picking up the inverter (it bolts onto the side) later.
It has a nice set of colored lights for the sockets and USB port. There is also an led flashlight if needed.
Instructions say to charge every 3 Months OR just leave on the charger. I like the latter. I'll use a small timer and let it charge a few hours a day. You can't run 'both' a 12V laptop and a 19V laptop at the same time. You have to select one or the other. The USB port appears to be available all the time and has no switch.
Everything gets a bit warm when charging but that was explained and expected in the documentation.
Cable and plug to charge from your car is optional and NOT included.
The optional cables for charging my mini-laptops are on the way. Amazon has them.
So, out of the box I can use the USB or Automobile Jack and can charge with the Included AC charger.
I like the flexibility and style. I just wish it came with a set of laptop plugs. I plan to charge with a combination of home AC, Solar cells and automobile converter (12V car needs to be stepped up in voltage for the Sherpa)
Some Info:
19V Laptop jack 7.4mm orange (regulated)
12V Laptop jack 6.0mm green (regulated)
The USB looks like a standard USB2 port. (regulated)
The Sherpa Input (charging) port 8.00mm blue
Side port used for the optional Inverter OR chaining units 9mm and (NOT regulated) 9-13 Volts 10A (75W max)
Fuse is a replaceable 10 Amp automotive type. (I would get a spare)
Weighs just a tad over 1 pound.
3hr charging time with included wall charger.
3-4 hr charging time with NON included car charger.
6-12 hrs with the solar cells not included and would of course vary depending on what you use.
For up to '1 year STORAGE' Discharge to 50% and remove the fuse. Store in cool place. (I plan to charge daily)
I'm happy with the purchase and hope these comments were of some use to you.
UPDATE:
The Goal Zero Sherpa And Escape 12V Car Charger arrived and the plug does NOT match the Sherpa Input Jack. I had to use the "Legacy" adapter cable I mentioned above to make proper connection. (Be sure and keep it handy as you will probably need it).
I'm not sure about the thinking about this device. I'm still waiting for the 'optional' laptop connection cables to arrive.
Best Deals for Goal Zero 11004 Sherpa 50 Silver Portable Recharger
No doubt the "50" refers to 50 watt hours, since I will be using the GZ 27M Solar Panel almost every day on my trips I expect charging to take little time and stay charged. I thought of getting the larger one, but I figure if I felt inclined, I'll get another one of these instead of depending on ONE battery. Good quality, if a little pricy, but I expect it to last a LONG time! Can't wait 'til they put out a rubber sleeve to fit it (the one they have right now WON'T fit this one).
Honest reviews on Goal Zero 11004 Sherpa 50 Silver Portable Recharger
I purchased the Sherpa 50 to charge my iPhone and iPad 3 while camping. When fully charged it will charge up the iPad once from a near fully depleted iPad battery, or give 2 charges from 50%, in my experience (YMMV)
The Goal Zero system uses their own connectors which work nicely between their batteries, chargers, and solar panels. Since I already own the Sunlinq 12w and 25w panels, I needed to splice my own connectors to make these work together. I bought the Goal Zero 6' 8mm input cable extension and spliced a connector for the Sunlinq. I was able to charge the Sherpa 50 in about 4 hours from 60% to a full charge while the Sunlink 25w panel was in full sun. It would be easier (and maybe quicker) to use the Goal Zero panels, but I already own the Sunlinq.
Overall I am very pleased with the Sherpa 50; this is a well made high quality unit. My only criticism, is that the 8mm extension cord did not fit the Sherpa. I contacted customer service and they responded the next day, acknowledging the problem and recommending a fix (shave 1/8" off of the plastic connector barrel), which worked perfectly.
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I use this on all my trips. When I am not using it with the solar panels, I plug it into my car adapter. Ironically my nexus 7 doesn't charge well with a car adapter, but charges fine with this bad boy.
