Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger (Pink)
Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger (Pink)
Manufacturer: Better Energy Systems
Solio stores power from the sun or socket allowing you to recharge your mobile phone, iPod or other handheld devices. Now including seven tips and cables, the new Solio Hybrid Charger offers an even greater range of compatibility with your devices. A fully charged Solio will recharge your average phone at least once if not twice. Solio's intelligent internal circuitry and Interchangeable Tip System lets you charge devices at about the same rate as their dedicated wall chargers.
Amazon.com Product Description:
The Solio universal "hybrid" solar charger is powerful enough to charge all of your handheld electronic products at home or on the move. The Solio works by absorbing power from either four hours in the wall socket or 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight, and then storing the energy within its internal battery. Once the Solio's battery is full, you can use the unit to charge your cell phone, iPod, MP3 player, PDA, game player, GPS, fish finder, or digital camera, making it a powerful all-in-one battery charger. The universal charger is also environmentally friendly and cost-effective, as the sun- based energy is completely free and creates no harmful impacts. And the design couldn't be simpler, with a fan-blade outlay that achieves maximum solar area when in use. Just spread out the blades, expose them to direct sunlight either outdoors or affixed to a window, and get ready to take your power on the road.
The pink Solio charges your electronics at the same rate as a conventional charger, and stores enough juice to fully charge an average cell phone at least once or an iPod nano at least two times. In addition, the Solio can charge your electronics directly rather than relying on the built-in battery. An hour of sun, for instance, will deliver enough power for about an hour of iPod playing time, 10 minutes of cell phone talk time, or four hours of cell phone standby time. Finally, the energy in the Solio's built-in battery doesn't need to be redeemed immediately, as it stores the juice for more than a year.
To make the Solio easier to use, the device comes with a series of interchangeable tip system connectors, including connectors for Nokia, Motorola, and Samsung cell phones, along with a mini-USB tip and an interchangeable tip system cable. And travelers will love the included global wall charger, with adapters for the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Australia/New Zealand. The Solio, which measures 2.5 by 1.3 by 4.7 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
Solio battery charger, Nokia tip, Motorola tip, Samsung tip, mini-USB tip, interchangeable tip system cable, USB cable, 12-volt universal adapter, global travel charger with adapters, window suction cup, user's manual.
- Universal "hybrid" solar battery charger with internal battery for charging portable electronics
- Internal battery absorbs energy from 4 hours in the wall socket or 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight
- Charges iPods, cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs, game players, GPS units, or digital cameras
- 3 blades spread out to absorb maximum sunlight; stores power for more than 1 year
- Includes global wall charger; measures 2.5 x 1.3 x 4.7 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty
Color: Pink
Model: S121-G07A
A universal charger that happens to be solar...
I already own the H1000 Solio but that model can't use the 12 volt car charger adaptor. I sprang for this classic Solio to charge my old 3rd Generation iPod and old cell phone for an upcoming trip. I figured I'd give this Solio away as a gift when I was done with it.
Compared to the H1000, this Solio charges more easily indoors and holds more charge in it's batteries. I was able to get the charge level up from two blinks to three blinks (50% charge to 75% charge) simply by laying the Solio on my window seal for 2 days. Considering that it was around Halloween in gloomy Pennsylvania, I consider that to be quite a feat. I'm headed for the desert soon, maybe I'll get more mileage out of the Solio there.
The included wall charger has the Solio juiced up in about 4-6 hours. If you're taking a long flight or hike there's no arguing with the Solio's ability to more than double the life of your gizmos. If you have the money to spend on gadgets in the first place, investing in a couple Solios to charge in your window would be a very practical way to reduce your green house gas emissions. If nothing else you're increasing demand for solar panels, helping to scale manufacturing up and drive prices down.
Love it!
I love this thing!! Its the most simple thing to use in the world! I love it becuase it is sustainable, the power from it is free, my parents can use it (great for the techno slow people)! Its a real conversation starter! I encourage anybody to buy it because you are using energy that is already given to us.
Solio
The solar charger took the charge beautifully but then would not charge the cell phone. I worked and worked at it but to no avail. Finally had to return the product.
the solio
okay first thing is first i bought the pink solio because i was able to get it cheaper than the other colors, thinking i would just paint it. I ended up painting it green, but i do not recommend painting this item you cannot take it apart as easily as i thought.
What I like about the solio is it can store energy i have other solar devices but once the sun sets they do you no good. With the solio you can leave it out in the sun and then charge your items at night, which make it good for camping and hiking. Do not expect to leave this in a window and get a good charge, it will simply not work. That is not a fault of the solio many different solar items do not work well through a window. Its small so you can take it with you different places and stick it outside a window wherever to store energy for later. Also its a cool design and looks interesting people really enjoy it.
There are some down sides it takes a long time to charge it fully. I need one day of full sun usually one and a half to charge it fully. The other down side is when i charge my phone that is 50% worn down it takes 75% of the solio's energy to bring the phone to 100% but i believe that is because my cellphone battery holds more energy than the solio's battery.
Overall the solio is a cool gadget that does work. However, i have a brunton solarport and that does work better. The solio is good for bringing along and storing energy to charge/run devices later on at night. I recommend it.
I Wanted To Love It
I wanted to love this. It's solar, it's pink, it's whimsical.
It could have been an integral part of my earthquake kit (we do live in Los Angeles).
But it didn't really work for me. First off, charging it in the car is pointless and slow. It requires direct sunlight so even a tree giving some shade makes it not charge. Secondly, it takes about eight hours to charge fully, that means you have to follow the sun for eight hours.
Unless you live in a yurt, you probably only get a few hours of sunlight from each window. Which brings me to my third point.
It charges best when left outside.
Nope, it's a item and I don't want to leave it lying around outside.
I get that it's hip to be green and pink is fun and playful, the design it beautiful and the freebies are flowing with these (everyone at fashion week LA got one) but it just doesn't do what it's supposed to do.
I'll wait for the second generation, hopefully it will work better.
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