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Hybrid Solar Charger H1000
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Testing
The SOLIO Hybrid Solar Charger is a great idea. If you are on a long camping trip and need something that will charge your cell phone, look no further - this is the device for you. However most of us do not spend days on end hiking. As stated in the introduction, this is more of a battery back up than an actual solar charger. When you think of a solar charger, you would assume that you could go out into the sun, plug it in, and watch your device charge. This is where we have our problem. Because this is considered a "Hybrid", the solar panels only charge the batteries in the unit. The device that you are charging only charges off of these batteries. What this means is that you have to charge up your solar charger by standing out in the sun for 10-12 hours in direct sunlight, 12-48 hours if the sky is partly cloudy, or skip the solar charger all together and charge this the easiest way - through the included USB computer charger. With a full charge, and in direct sunlight, this device will charge a dead iPhone from 0% to about 40%, but then runs out of power and stops charging. This may not be a good thing for long term use, but it will more than allow you to make a phone call if you are stranded; You could even check your e-mail! We Tested this charger on several devices, and seemed to work flawlessly until we came across one of the most popular cell phones. The Motorola RAZR. When we attempted to charge an almost dead RAZR, we were a little confused when a screen on the RAZR popped up saying "Unauthorized Charger". We tried charging a Motorola RAZR V3xx and the device performed flawlessly. What we have discovered is that certain cell phones actually have a chip inside to monitor devices connected to it, namely the charger and will not accept a charge if the device is not manufactured by them. The cell phone manufacturers who have implimented this action claim it is to prevent overcharging or damage due to poorly made chargers. The reality is probably closer to "lets find another way to make money". Verizon likes to make you buy products from them, and this may be another attempt to make a little more money. If you are interested in this product and you have Verizon, this may be something to look into. However, if you don't, then this charger should do the job just fine.
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The Charger Out Of The Box And Ready To Go |
Easy To Read Instructions |
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Attempting to charge a Motorola RAZR |
Unauthorized Charger Screen on RAZR |
Conclusion
In Conclusion, the SOLIO Hybrid Solar Charger is a great emergency charger that you should always carry when going on a trip, or when there may not be an outlet to charge something. If you are looking to get a full charge out of the SOLIO, you may be disappointed. For only $79.95 the H1000 is a somewhat expensive for a charger, but may save you in an emergency. Also this is a good thing to have if you live in an area that looses power often. Residents of Florida and Louisiana know what it is like to go without power after a hurricane. This product may be a life saver in such circumstances, and the minimal cost of $79.95 is well worth possibly saving your life or someone else's.
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