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Solio H1000 Universal Hybrid Charger (Dark Grey)

Solio H1000 Universal Hybrid Charger (Dark Grey)

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Brand: Solio
Category: CE

List Price: $49.95
Buy New: $49.36
as of 11/20/2009 18:45 CST details
You Save: $0.59 (1%)



New (20)

Seller: Amazon.com
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

Color: Dark Grey
Media: Sports
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Size: 7.7 x 2.7 x 0.5 in.
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.

MPN: 00093510
Model: S326-B36T
UPC: 873028001010
EAN: 0873028001010
ASIN: B000XS2Z5M

Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Features:
  • Provides an emergency power source when away from power outlets
  • Stores energy from solar panel; can also be charged via USB port of any computer with included tip
  • Works with most mobile phones, MP3 players, and GPS devices right out of the box
  • Just 1 hour of sunshine provides approximately 14 minutes of cell phone talk time or 40 minutes of MP3 playback
  • Compact, high impact plastic shell; built-in rugged carabiner and cable

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
When on the go power for your gadgets is key, plug into the Solio Hybrid 1000. This hybrid boasts a powerful solar panel and battery in an incredibly compact and slender case, conveniently geared with a built-in rugged carabiner and cable. The Hybrid 1000 is simple to use. Just clip on, plug in, and charge up!

Amazon.com Product Description
When on-the-go power for your gadgets is key, plug into the Solio Hybrid 1000, which boasts a powerful solar panel and battery in an incredibly compact and slender case. Simple to use, the Hybrid 1000 is geared for outdoor adventures with its compact, high impact plastic shell and built-in rugged carabiner and cable. Solio also limits your need to purchase and carry around multiple chargers for all of your gadgets and is your one-stop charging solution for all of your products from cell phones and iPods, to digital cameras, game players, and GPS.

Plug into the Sun, and charge Solio through its solar panel--it's free and green. The Hybrid 1000 also accepts power from the USB port of any computer, using the energy to power your gadgets at the same rate as if they were plugged into the wall. Solio will also hold its charge for up to a year. You can also use the optional Solio Global Wall Adapter to charge from the wall.

Features:

  • A full Solio H1000 will charge a typical mobile phone once or give 10 hours of MP3 music. Just 1 hour of sunshine provides approximately 14 minutes talk time or 40 minutes of MP3 music.*
  • Provides an emergency power source when away from power outlets.
  • Adapter tips allow you to power multiple gadgets with a single charger (tips for most products included in pack)
  • Works with multiple gadgets, including mobile phones, iPhone, Bluetooth headsets, smartphones/PDAs, MP3 players, portable gaming devices, digital cameras, GPS and much more.
  • Reusable--use it again and again.
  • Compact lightweight design--convenient for travel or emergency use.

Specifications:

  • Nominal DC Output: 3V 1.2A
  • Maximum Wattage: 3.6 Watts
  • Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Ion 3.7V 1A cell
  • DC Input: 5-6V 0.4Ah
  • Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.71 x 2.6 inches (LxHxW)
  • Weight: 4.6 ounces
  • Temperature Range: -4F to 131F (-20C to 55C)

What's in the Box?
Solio Hybrid 1000, adapter tip system cable, USB Port Replicator tip (powers iPhone, iPod, MP3 players), Mini-USB tip (powers Motorola, Blackberry, Garmin, iRiver), Nokia tip, instruction manual.

*Performance times may vary slightly depending on type of device and intensity of sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Solio compatible with my iPhone? The USB port replicator tip--included in the box--is also compatible with iPods, MP3 players, and many digital cameras. A separately available adapter is required for the iPhone 3G and second generation iPod touch.

Can I charge Solio on a cloudy day and can it be left outdoors? Yes, Solio will charge on a cloudy day, although less efficiently than when under clear skies. Cloud cover can also be too thick to allow enough sunlight through to the solar panels. Solio is engineered to be rugged and weather resistant, but it is not entirely weatherproof. Solio should not be left out in wet, rainy, or snowy conditions without a protective covering.

Can I charge a device while charging the Solio? Yes, providing that the Solio has a bit of power on it. Please note that as the Solio is transferring power to your device it will not gain much of a charge, if at all. If the current drawn is greater than the amount that sunlight conditions allow the Solio to charge it's internal battery, you may not significantly receive a charge from the Solio.

About Solio
Solio is made by Better Energy Systems, a company that develops and markets portable clean technology products for travel, work, and play. Their award-winning designers and engineers think 'outside the grid' to develop new technologies for the eco-mobility market, creating true energy independence for people around the world. With products engineered to the highest technical and environmental standards, BES enables customers to take a meaningful step on the path to sustainability.

Founded in 2001 in London, BES envisions a massive shift in energy delivery and infrastructure to combat global warming. They believe that making renewable technology accessible to the average person will speed this shift. Solio, the company's flagship product, was conceived as a 'trojan horse' for the renewable energy market; a versatile hand-held charger that opens the lives and minds of consumers to the potential of solar. BES also stands for energy equality: the belief that all people - regardless of geography or economic standing - are entitled to clean energy and light. BES is engaged in the fight against poverty by finding new ways to bring sustainable power and light to people at the bottom of the economic pyramid.




Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8



5 out of 5 stars Good Product, Great Service   November 4, 2009
Deepanjan Banerjee (SanFrancisco, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I do charge my IPOD & Nokia Phone with this now- atleast once in a month. Otherwise keep it for emergency power. Charging those Items once in a month helps to drain out the Solio Battery - & keep the health of the Battery safe. If emerygency doesnt occur & I keep using this Panel in this Charging-Recharging cycle, I must be able to use it for 300-400 Months :). Solar Panel quality is one of the best. Hopefully, my Kids will be able to use as well. Amazon's service is great.


3 out of 5 stars Disappointing Performance   October 25, 2009
AJ Squared Away (Kansas)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I rate this item as okay - I like the concept, and the design is okay, however the actual performance is somewhat disappointing. An example of my recent use: It took 80% of the Solio 1000's full charge to take my iPhone from about 75% charged to Full. I then placed the Solio in full, direct sunlight (not even a cloud that day) for over 6 hours, but it would only charge up to around 60% (3 flashes on the charge indicator).

I can only imagine how slowly it would recharge under less optimum conditions, like while hiking with it just attached on the outside of a pack. I think it is satisfactory as an emergency back-up battery, but I don't think it can be relied on for extended use of your electronic device without some sort of other power back-up. Finally, for the price, I think they really could have included some sort of protective case or cover for it.



1 out of 5 stars Never Really Worked Correctly   August 31, 2009
Eric from NJ (United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I bought this because I frequemtly travel on long flights and wanted and "emergency backup power option" if I was ever stuck on a runway for 10 hours, etc.

I came with some really poor documentation. I also agree with other reviewer(s) that getting the red charge-light to blink is tricky. I THINK the documents says the green light should blink from 1 to 5 times to indicate battery level. I left mine in full-sun for both days of a weekend and still the green light blinked only once.

I also bought the special adapter for the iPhone and it never worked. However, after screwing around with the cable connection between my solar unit and iPhone (the connection of the cable to the solar unit was the worst aspect) it did fully charge the iPhone in less than half an hour. That charge was not done using the special iPhone adapter I paid extra for - it was done using their included standard USB tip.

I could live with everything about the unit except for the way the cable attaches to the Solio. After the single time I successfully charged the iPhone, I was never able to bend, pull, push or twist the cable into the Solio again to get a successful connection.

I would return it for refund - but I expect that would really be frustrating. I'll just toss it in a drawer somewhere and throw it out a couple years from now after asking myself; "why did I even keep this thing - it never worked anyway."



1 out of 5 stars Far too slow to be useful   July 26, 2009
Chris M. Ludwig (Chicago IL)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

PROs: Nice design, light weight, clip on top with tie-down point on bottom making it ideal for backpacking.

CONS: The internal battery charge rate is FAR lower than the manual would lead you to believe.

In real world use the Solio took about 5 days to charge from 20% to 100%.

This was a mix of direct and indirect sunlight.
Some problems:

1. Even the slightest whisp of a cloud and the battery would stop charging.

2. Even the slightest obstruction to the panel (example a 1" thick back-pack cord covering a small part of the panel), would stop it from charging.

3. Angle to the sun needed to be perfect. Hanging it vertically off by pack was required during the morning, but once noon hit the panel needed to be moved to the top of the pack to charge. It needs to be angled to the sun at all times.

The total power capacity is about equal to 4 low mAh AA batteries.

Overall it's a lot of work, a lot of time and hassle for a very small amount of power.

Another annoyance is these little adapters you need to carry in order to use the Solio. The proprietary power output cable attaches nicely to the Solio, but there is no room to leave and adapter connected. So even if you only use on adapter (like me with the USB), you need to carry it separately.

Also, for serious backpacking future versions need to be built tougher and be water resistant.



1 out of 5 stars Has to be at the perfect angle   July 6, 2009
B. Barnes (Tulsa, OK)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This might work better if you on the surface of Mercury.

The solar panels have to be aimed at just the right angle to the sun to get the red charging light to come on. Hanging this in your car, pack or setting it in a sunny window won't work.

The additional insult being that as the sun tracks across the sky, you've got to keep adjusting the angle to keep it charging.

This item would be a heartbreaker in an emergency, as you struggle to get it at just the right angle to the sun.

Your probably better off buying a spare battery and charging it off the grid. It is really too bad; the world needs more products like this, but ones that work.


Showing reviews 1-5 of 8


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