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Nabaza.net-The MarketPlace - Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger (Silver)
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List Price: $99.99
Our Price: Too low to display
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Better Energy Systems
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Batteries Included: 0
Binding: Electronics
Brand: Solio
Color: Silver
EAN: 5065000778767
Feature: Universal "hybrid" solar battery charger with internal battery for charging portable electronics
Is Autographed: 0
Is Memorabilia: 0
Label: Better Energy Systems
Manufacturer: Better Energy Systems
Model: S11-G07A
Publisher: Better Energy Systems
Studio: Better Energy Systems
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Features
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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
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Editorial Reviews:
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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.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Fun, but anemic
Comment: I've had varying success with my Solio. Took me awhile to get a hang of the device's fickleness, but I'm able to successfully (albeit partially) charge my iPhone (which needs charging at least every other day).
The trick is that it really takes me two full days of leaving the Solio out in the sun to get a full charge. Their site claims "Charging Solio's internal battery takes 8-10 hours of direct sunlight." I haven't found that to be the case. I really need TWO days to fully charge the device. Of course, if I didn't have a life, I could change the placement of the charger throughout the day to point directly at the sun as it moves through the sky, and this would probably get close to a full charge in a normal day.
When the Solio DOES fully charge, I only get about 1/2 to 3/4 charge to my iPhone, and not more. So two days of work for maybe a work's day of usage for the iPhone. Better than nothing, but not something I'd depend my life on...
In short, I'd describe the Solio as "fun, but anemic". The device actually works and charges devices, but I probably save more money and benefit the environment more by hanging my clothes out to dry (instead of using the dryer) then getting 1/2 charge for my iPhone every couple of days.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Little panels. Moving target.
Comment: Nothing ever charges as fast as we want it to. The Solio is no different. Point it at the sun and the little red LED on the back comes on to led you know that you're in a good position and that it is charging.
The caveat is that you're aiming at a moving target. If you're not pointing directly at the sun you're still charging, just not nearly as well.
The first night I had it I charged the Solio from a wall outlet then used it to top off my blackberry that night. It charged it with no issue and drained the Solio to about 40% (2 blinks - 20% per blink). Ever since I've been trying to position it in my parked car to fully charge, but have yet to fully charge it through pure solar use. That being said, I've been setting it on the dash of my car and leaving it there. It's charging. It would charge even faster if I always had it outside facing the sun without uv filtering glass in the way, but it IS working.
If I spent a lot of time outdoors, the Solio would be IDEAL. As it is, I find it would be more of use (for me personally) in an emergency kit.
It DOES work though. If you want faster charging, get something with more solar cell area.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I smell something burning...
Comment: Both my boyfriend and I got the solio as gifts, the solio he got burned his cell phone and the solio I got burned my mp3 player. Two completely different units and both fried our devices. Although Solio refunded my boyfriend for his cell phone they did nothing with mine...so unless you want a burned device go for it, otherwise be smart and don't let you devices get fried up inside.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Sounds cool but a big waste of time
Comment: Here's the thing: it's not like you magically hook up your device to this and it charges from the sun. You use the solar panels to charge a battery which then charges your device. So you need to have this thing in the sun all the time to keep the battery charged - and then it will take forever to charge whatever device you have. As if that's not bad enough, it comes with 1.5 million pieces - so it's not exactly as portable as you'd hope.
If you read the instructions, the manufacturer is clearly trying to sell this based on some environmental claims - you won't be using electricity to charge your iPod. But your iPod will take forever to charge, you have to carry around the little array, the battery, and whatever adapters you might need. Clearly, there's a better way to save energy. Keep your fridge slightly warmer, or adjust your thermostat. This is a waste of time.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great idea still needs a little improvement
Comment: I got the charger for my boyfriend for Christmas and he loved the idea immediately; however, the plugs that it comes with don't work with most of his little gadgets and the extras that I purchased didn't work with his Samsung phone and DS lite. He does love using this for his ipod and I can use it for my Nokia phone. Call customer service to discuss the extra plugs before purchasing so that you know exactly what you're getting. Good luck!
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