The video review and this text focus mainly on the Goal 0 system, the one I found that actually works.
I have purchased, used and tested every lightweight solar charging device on the market that I could find. The Goal0 Nomad 7 and Guide 10 set is the only one that works sufficiently that I can be completely off the grid with my backpacking devices and have no need for extra batteries. See below for solar panels tested. I have been testing portable solar panels for several years now, and the Goal 0 products are the best.
The Nomad 7 is the only solar panel that has the capability to charge an adequate battery pack, my headlamp AAA's, AND my smartphone/GPS all in the same day in full sunlight. It is the only panel that has reserve capacity to charge my devices in less than full sun (shady/cloudy). No other panel has the output of the Nomad 7. Its closest competitor is the Brunton panel. The Brunton weighs 20% more and is rated to output 30% less than the Nomad 7 (Brunton = 5 watts, Nomad 7 = 7 watts). In my testing the lower output was verified. The off-axis performance of the Nomad 7 is superior. It maintains full output to a greater angle of sun than any other panel I have tested. The Nomad 7 is the only panel, in my knowledge, that uses the more efficient mono-crystalline panels. It does seem to give it an edge in real-world usage. As far as flexibility, that characteristic has nothing to do with panel efficiency. Another of the well-thought out features of the Nomad 7 is the connection options. The Xpal SP-2000 and the Solio both rely on many different tips to connect to different devices. The Nomad 7 has three great options built in: 6.5 volt fast charge for the Guide 10 charger, 5 V USB connector, and a port that the included 12V female car lighter adapter plugs into. Every portable device has the option of an inexpensive car power adapter, and the Nomad 7 nicely offers that ability.
The Guide 10 charger works to its rated specifications, unlike most of the other solar devices I have used. It charges AA and AAA batteries. It charges them faster with the Nomad 7 than any other solar panel/charger combination that I have tested. The Goal 0 batteries that ship with the Guide 10 are the best of their type I have tested. They are low-discharge, like the Eneloops, but much better. The Eneloops are rated at 2000 mAh, but charge only to about 1900 mAh capacity. The Goal 0 are rated at 2000 mAh, but charge to 2200 mAh. The guide 10 has some very well thought out features, including the LED flashlight, the function switch and the built-in hanging loop. These touches all demonstrate that the designers are users, and thought well about how these devices would be used.
All is not perfect, though. The Guide 10 does have an overheating problem, but only in very strong sunlight and under certain conditions. This is a known issue that is being fixed as I write this. This brings me to one of my most important experiences; customer service. Goal 0 has the best customer service by far than any other of the solar panel manufacturers I have tested in this group. Immediate phone contact, responsiveness to questions and warranty service are far and away some of the best I have experienced.
Following is a list of the solar panels I have tested, and short comparison comments on each.
1. Powerfilm USB + AA: This one has a great form factor, is flexible and very durable, and is the lightest weight and most compact of all the solar chargers. Its fatal flaw is that it simply does not put out enough power to be practical in extended backpacking. It does not fully charge the AA batteries when it indicates a full charge, and is not nearly as flexible as the Nomad 7 for connection. The unit was replaced on warranty, but the replacement performed exactly the same. I tested a total of four of these, and all performed the same. Customer service was good, after spending weeks trying to get their attention, and this happened several times.
2. Solio Classic: This one has a nice form factor, but the unit simply does not charge its internal battery nor a connected device at all adequately. Just in case, I had it replaced on warranty and the replacement performed exactly the same.
3. Xpal Power SP-2000: Same as the Solio. Internal battery rated at 2000 mAh, only charges to about 1100-1300. Not enough power overall to be practical. Very good customer service.
4. Brunton Explorer: A good panel, but not enough overall power. Weighs 20% more than the Nomad 7, output is 30% less
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Trip videos from the Cabin Loop Trail
Here are some videos I took with my dual-booting Windows/Android smartphone.
This is our first day from the Cabin Loop Trailhead to General Springs.
Still the first day, getting down into the General Canyon and up to our camp at General Springs.
Our second day on our way to Pinchot Cabin.
THE MUD PUPPIES!
Fourth day, on our way out and admiring the fields of butterflies.
This is our first day from the Cabin Loop Trailhead to General Springs.
Still the first day, getting down into the General Canyon and up to our camp at General Springs.
Our second day on our way to Pinchot Cabin.
THE MUD PUPPIES!
Fourth day, on our way out and admiring the fields of butterflies.
Review of the Windmill Butane Lighter
Here is my first video review of my outdoors equipment. The Windmill lighter is a piece of kit that I never leave at home. It is part of my EDC (Every Day Carry). It has proven itself in all conditions, all temperatures and at all altitudes that I care to be in. The customer service is excellent. I have used their support four times in the last five years, the most recent last month. They remain consistently one of the best I have dealt with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXpExLFw3jk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXpExLFw3jk
First Shakedown Trip
Last week we took our first shakedown trip. We started out up on the Rim in Arizona north of Strawberry. We drove out on the FR 300, the General Crook Trail, for a number of miles, captivated by the views from the top of the Rim. The road literally approaches the edge of the cliffs to within a few feet in some places. In others, you can see far down the road, gaining a great view of the rugged bastions and jutting rock uplifting from below. The length and breadth of the views across Arizona to the South have a way of reminding one that we are small interlopers in a vasty place.
We arrived at the Cabin Loop Trailhead and had lunch in the dry pines. We saddled up the pooch and ourselves, and struck out on the trail in the warm, calm afternoon. I have placed here a number of videos I took with my smartphone. Please excuse the poor quality. Many of the things on this trip were experimental. The smartphone was ok, but not great, for pictures and videos. It does have a problem with losing the audio synchronization with the video. Unfortunately, I will feel compelled to bring something heavier next trip.
There were several highlights of this trip. My homemade hammock underquilt worked out perfectly. The youngest was warm and snug in her hammock in nighttime temperatures of 38 F. My Moonbow Gearskin custom backpack did not work out well. I will be testing new ones.
My daughter loves to cruise the creeks and springs out here for fish, tadpoles, dragonflies and everything else she can find. She made the wonderful discovery of a colony of Mud Puppies. She was, after many hours of hunting, able to catch some in her makeshift net, allowing us to film them. Five minutes after we were home she had looked them up on Wikipedia to confirm her identification.
I was able to make some not-so-good but acceptable video clips of equipment reviews that I will be putting up here this week. Korik (pooch companion extraordinaire) was, as usual, very photogenic, and kept up wth us pretty well, except for the third day, where he fell far behind all day, despite all the cajoling and promises of treats. I felt his legs or feet got sore carrying all his own food. He plopped down in the middle of camp that afternoon and refused to move, not even twitching when I mentioned the troupe of pretty dogglers walking by (fake!), regaining his feet only in the evening for supper. With his appetite manifestly returned, it would seem that he just needed a rest. The next morning he was fine, and kept up with us all day.
In the following days I will upload more review videos, and we will be getting ready for a longer trip to Hannagan Meadow area after the Fourth of July weekend. We are already planning some trips next summer to the Pacific Crest Trail, the Sawtooth Wilderness, and the Rockies in Colorado.
We arrived at the Cabin Loop Trailhead and had lunch in the dry pines. We saddled up the pooch and ourselves, and struck out on the trail in the warm, calm afternoon. I have placed here a number of videos I took with my smartphone. Please excuse the poor quality. Many of the things on this trip were experimental. The smartphone was ok, but not great, for pictures and videos. It does have a problem with losing the audio synchronization with the video. Unfortunately, I will feel compelled to bring something heavier next trip.
There were several highlights of this trip. My homemade hammock underquilt worked out perfectly. The youngest was warm and snug in her hammock in nighttime temperatures of 38 F. My Moonbow Gearskin custom backpack did not work out well. I will be testing new ones.
My daughter loves to cruise the creeks and springs out here for fish, tadpoles, dragonflies and everything else she can find. She made the wonderful discovery of a colony of Mud Puppies. She was, after many hours of hunting, able to catch some in her makeshift net, allowing us to film them. Five minutes after we were home she had looked them up on Wikipedia to confirm her identification.
I was able to make some not-so-good but acceptable video clips of equipment reviews that I will be putting up here this week. Korik (pooch companion extraordinaire) was, as usual, very photogenic, and kept up wth us pretty well, except for the third day, where he fell far behind all day, despite all the cajoling and promises of treats. I felt his legs or feet got sore carrying all his own food. He plopped down in the middle of camp that afternoon and refused to move, not even twitching when I mentioned the troupe of pretty dogglers walking by (fake!), regaining his feet only in the evening for supper. With his appetite manifestly returned, it would seem that he just needed a rest. The next morning he was fine, and kept up with us all day.
In the following days I will upload more review videos, and we will be getting ready for a longer trip to Hannagan Meadow area after the Fourth of July weekend. We are already planning some trips next summer to the Pacific Crest Trail, the Sawtooth Wilderness, and the Rockies in Colorado.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Introduction
Hi! I would like to introduce myself and the reasons you might like to follow this blog.
I am a backpacker, hiker and wilderness aficionado of 35 years. I remember my father taking us hiking in rural Connecticut when I was 8-10 years old. I hiked by myself or with friends for a few years, then in the early 70's I began backpacking with some friends. I never looked back.
I remember the beginning of BackPacker Magazine. I still own BackPacker #'s 6, 8, 11, 12 up through 35 and some scattered issues up till 1984. My pride and joy, first new technology pack was a Wilderness Experience external frame. I saw the introduction of internal frame packs, and did some extensive, extended backpacking with a Gregory Snow Creek. I have backpacked around New England, the Mid-South and the West. I have spent weeks in the Sawtooth Wilderness up the Middle Fork of the Boise River. I am by no means an expert, but I have closely followed all the new-tech. I rememeber getting my first Gore-Tex sample from Early Winters and watching in fascination as the steam escaped through the fabric, then bought a jacket made with it. I have been around long enough and with enough interest to see every cool new gadget and innovation in backpacking come along. Presently I am a lightweight-style backpacker, using a Hennessy Hammock and Jacks-R-Better quilt system, with an ultra-light Moonbow Gearskin pack.
My purpose for this blog is to share my experiences and reviews of all my equipment and techniques as I try out new things and re-evaluate my old things. I will be sharing the adventures in backpacking that my daughter and I are having as we get in shape for some longer trips on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Arizona Trail, among others. I have made over two dozen homemade alchohol stoves and extensively characterized their performance, so I could carry and use the most efficient one. These are the kinds of things I will be sharing here, as well as lots of trip photos and trip journals.
I ask for feedback and discussions, thoughts and ideas on what we are doing. For me, that is the best that blogging has to offer, when it is not just about me, but about the larger dialogue with the community. Thank you for reading, and I hope you find enough value in these pages to subscribe.
I am a backpacker, hiker and wilderness aficionado of 35 years. I remember my father taking us hiking in rural Connecticut when I was 8-10 years old. I hiked by myself or with friends for a few years, then in the early 70's I began backpacking with some friends. I never looked back.
I remember the beginning of BackPacker Magazine. I still own BackPacker #'s 6, 8, 11, 12 up through 35 and some scattered issues up till 1984. My pride and joy, first new technology pack was a Wilderness Experience external frame. I saw the introduction of internal frame packs, and did some extensive, extended backpacking with a Gregory Snow Creek. I have backpacked around New England, the Mid-South and the West. I have spent weeks in the Sawtooth Wilderness up the Middle Fork of the Boise River. I am by no means an expert, but I have closely followed all the new-tech. I rememeber getting my first Gore-Tex sample from Early Winters and watching in fascination as the steam escaped through the fabric, then bought a jacket made with it. I have been around long enough and with enough interest to see every cool new gadget and innovation in backpacking come along. Presently I am a lightweight-style backpacker, using a Hennessy Hammock and Jacks-R-Better quilt system, with an ultra-light Moonbow Gearskin pack.
My purpose for this blog is to share my experiences and reviews of all my equipment and techniques as I try out new things and re-evaluate my old things. I will be sharing the adventures in backpacking that my daughter and I are having as we get in shape for some longer trips on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Arizona Trail, among others. I have made over two dozen homemade alchohol stoves and extensively characterized their performance, so I could carry and use the most efficient one. These are the kinds of things I will be sharing here, as well as lots of trip photos and trip journals.
I ask for feedback and discussions, thoughts and ideas on what we are doing. For me, that is the best that blogging has to offer, when it is not just about me, but about the larger dialogue with the community. Thank you for reading, and I hope you find enough value in these pages to subscribe.
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