- MacNN reviews
Review: Gomadic SunVolt solar charger
Gomadic puts charge into solar power with SunVolt (February 4th, 2013)
MacNN Rating:
Product Manufacturer: Gomadic
Price: $99 plus $40 for Solar Cache battery
The Good
- Low price for entry into solar charging
- Durable build
- Newest in solar tech
The Bad
- Battery essentially vital
- Precise alignment difficult
- Dark day? No charge.
Solar energy still has a ways to go for widespread adoption, despite its 'green' nature. It doesn't have a high power density, meaning that a large area of solar panels, intense sunlight, or both, is required for optimal energy generation. Plus, the panels are expensive. Reston, VA-based Gomadic Corp supplies the former Kickstarter project SunVolt Solar Charger, in an attempt to make solar charging available to the masses, at least for portable devices. Electronista checks to see if the SunVolt has worked around common issues with solar panels.
First of all, an observation. The SunVolt charger is by no means an instant charger. The SunVolt (which we tested) is a 10W charger, with the larger SunVolt Max capable of delivering 15W. The devices are generally portable, with the SunVolt weighing in at 4.7 pounds in our tested configuration. The SunVolt website claims the Max version weighs 5.75 pounds, pushing the definition of "easily portable" a little, but still in the realm of possibility.
The SunVolt comes in a convenient, and well-built nylon carrying case, with adequate protection for the device. We lugged it around, and winced a bit when it took a hit on the subway or just in normal travel, fearing for the delicate solar panel, but the case took all the knocks with no damage to the charger or contents.
As shipped, the SunVolt comes with an assortment of charger tips, including a 30-pin Apple Dock Connector, and various flavors of USB tips. If there's a custom need other than what's provided, the USB tips are adaptable. Plus, we found the 30-pin to Lightning adapter in conjunction with the SunVolt worked to charge a new Apple device without issue.
What doesn't come with the base unit, but we were provided for testing, is the Solar Cache Battery Pack. As far as we are concerned, this is a vital "accessory" for the device. As batteries will, it takes a charge from the panel with or without a device attached, and if the intensity of the sunlight allows, will both charge the device and take a charge.
This review process started with time from full depletion to full charge across an assortment of devices, ranging from iPhones, to portable electronics, through some children's toys. There were so many variables involved with charging plus variances in charging times across multiple runs, that there was no uniformity in data, which made comparisons effectively impossible. Suffice it to say, that the charger panel charges best outdoors, directly facing the sun, than it does in the winter pointed out a window even in strong sunlight.
The device doesn't suffer from its implementation, but rather the vagaries of solar charging. We found it to be well engineered, and sturdy from an design perspective. The sun and weather, despite both allowing for life on this planet, are the real issues. We used a multimeter to check for maximum charging, and therefore, optimal alignment with the sun, but not every user has that option, or the inclination to do so, and may want a product that can be set down, and "just work," to borrow a phrase.
The SunVolt itself does as it says on the tin. It charges portable devices like as if it was plugged into a USB charger on AC power. It won't provide enough power for a laptop, or other high-drain device, but it isn't meant to. We think that the price is right, but the utility of the device is hampered greatly without the $40 battery -- the price is right for the addition based on the greatly enhanced capabilities of the device with the battery installed. The four star rating we gave the product is with the battery. Without the battery, subtract one full star, as far as we are concerned.
by Mike Wuerthele
Share the Article
Facebook Twitter Delious Slash Dot Buzz Up DiggRelated Reviews
- Full review: Apple 27-inch iMac (Late 2012)
- Iomega PX2-300d NAS
- Killer Concepts RocksteadyXS
- House of Marley Riddim On-Ear Headphones
- HighPoint RocketStor 5322 Dual-Channel Dock
Network Headlines
- MacNN
- Electronista
- DealNN
- Settings
03/08 | Court demands Apple evidence in location... |
03/08 | Rumor has Apple, Samsung adopting wireless... |
03/08 | Apple files objection to delaying second... |
03/08 | Rumor has low-cost iPhone using Qualcomm... |
03/07 | Studies: iOS enterprise share up; iPad... |
Show All
03/08 | Court demands Apple evidence in location... |
03/08 | Rumor has Apple, Samsung adopting wireless... |
03/08 | Apple files objection to delaying second... |
03/08 | Rumor has low-cost iPhone using Qualcomm... |
03/08 | BlackBerry Z10 set to land in US on... |
Show All
Show All
Register for our weekly email newsletter:Connect tools:Subscribeto our RSSFollow uson Twitter |
Most Popular
10 Most Read
MacNN Sponsor
Recent Reviews
The new iMac was introduced in late October, however trying to get your hands on one is not easy. Even now, if you choose a customized ...
Iomega PX2-300d NASNetwork Attached Storage (NAS) devices are similar in one respect to the iPod on release -- until one used it, the utility wasn't imme ...
Killer Concepts RocksteadyXSHeadphones and portable speakers are, for my money, still the best uses of Bluetooth, at least when it comes to audio. There are othe ...
Most Commented
10 Most Discussed
- Apple among 60 major companies backing gay marriage - 29 replies
- Google aims for Glass release by 2013, sub-$1,500 price - 19 replies
- Petition to legalize smartphone unlocking hits 100,000 names - 16 replies
- Samsung unveils Passbook-like Wallet app - 12 replies
- AAPL falls to 52-week low on sequestration, iPhone worries - 11 replies
- Recent Mac owners: we can't reinstall Mountain Lion - 11 replies
- Apple refunds epic in-app purchase bill to unaware parents - 11 replies
- Apple challenges Defense of Marriage Act in new statement - 10 replies
- Canadian retailer: Z10 outselling iPhone, Samsung - 9 replies
- Analyst expects cheap iPhone after meet with Apple CFO - 9 replies
Popular News
- MacUpdate spring bundle offers $619 in sof...
- Apple deals: save up to $920 on Macs
- Reports: iPad least repairable, least like...
- Leap Motion Controller to start shipping M...
- Nikon adds Coolpix A, P330, S3500 cameras ...
- Samsung issues Galaxy S4 teaser, set for M...