Goal Zero (1 Viewer)
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Tigerstripe40
SILVER Star
I have their 7 watt panel and battery kit, along with their LED Lantern and their speaker pods.
The 7 watt panel charges a battery kit and that battery kit will subsequently charge my cell phone from 0 to 100% power. It's nice for thsoe kinds of things. Their larger panels are pretty expensive for the size. While they do have some cool whiz-bang stuff, you can do better piecing things together yourself. If you're looking for a mobile solar panel setup that stays on your truck all the time, you can do the same thing for less than half of what Goal Zero costs.
The lantern sucks, I'd avoid it.
Their speaker pods, on the other hand, are pretty nice. I'd buy another set of those in a heartbeat.
The 7 watt panel charges a battery kit and that battery kit will subsequently charge my cell phone from 0 to 100% power. It's nice for thsoe kinds of things. Their larger panels are pretty expensive for the size. While they do have some cool whiz-bang stuff, you can do better piecing things together yourself. If you're looking for a mobile solar panel setup that stays on your truck all the time, you can do the same thing for less than half of what Goal Zero costs.
The lantern sucks, I'd avoid it.
Their speaker pods, on the other hand, are pretty nice. I'd buy another set of those in a heartbeat.
I use their LED lights that you can daisy chain together, they work great.
I had their 350 battery system, but the battery in it did not last, and I have replaced my battery system with the ArkPac.
I had their 350 battery system, but the battery in it did not last, and I have replaced my battery system with the ArkPac.
I have one of their battery packs. It's OK. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because there's really nothing special to be said about it.
I have had 2 sherpa battery pack fail in less than a year.
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
look into off-grid dwellings websites, such as backwwods solar or even airzona wind sun. a guy will need a panel, battery bank, charge controller and some wire/hardware at a bare minimum. if one wishes to use any 120 volt devices, then you'll need to add an inverter. if there is a need to charge the battery from shore power, then a converter can be added in lieu of a battery charger...the prepackaged deals for plug and play weekend warrior adventure epeditioneering are way overpriced. but hey, if you really need to loose some cash, hit me up- I'd be happy to assemble all the pieces and wrap them all in a nice box for a nominal fee, of course...installation assembly required; YMMV...HTH
Electrical systems can be very overwhelming for the average consumer. Think of what Go Pro has done for the action sports camera market over the last 5 years. The solar consumer market is in the same place. If nothing else Goal Zero is helping expose consumers to the market in a functional manner.
Sure you can build a solar charge system that may be able to do everything you want with less costs. But will the packaging be the same size, as portable, frankly as idiot proof and with the same easy of use?
The average consumer doesn't wrench on 25 year old cars for fun. They don't know how to read electrical diagrams and build anything. They go to McDonalds, pay for oil changes and call AAA. They don't bat an eye for the convenience for all that they just pull out their wallets.
I feel that Goal Zero is a good brand, maybe on the small side when it comes to engineering products as one user has pointed out. None the less they are putting out well thought out products which are easily used and are functionally compact.
Sure you can build a solar charge system that may be able to do everything you want with less costs. But will the packaging be the same size, as portable, frankly as idiot proof and with the same easy of use?
The average consumer doesn't wrench on 25 year old cars for fun. They don't know how to read electrical diagrams and build anything. They go to McDonalds, pay for oil changes and call AAA. They don't bat an eye for the convenience for all that they just pull out their wallets.
I feel that Goal Zero is a good brand, maybe on the small side when it comes to engineering products as one user has pointed out. None the less they are putting out well thought out products which are easily used and are functionally compact.
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
sure, and charging $$$ for it...I for one can build a system as clean and as functional for about half the cost. but, then, I work on and drive a TLC- like most of the other idiots reading this stuff...it's a great package for someone who just wants to buy something "cool" without putting any thought into it- single serving society, right? ... CONSUMER grade package. nomnomnom...
I have three of their light a life lamps and a couple of their adapters. Absolutely love their durability and how well they work. They are getting better with their information booth at the trade shows and they offer a huge discount for TREAD Masters.
I don't see the value in their battery packs or panels but if you have a deep wallet, they will work very well for you.
I don't see the value in their battery packs or panels but if you have a deep wallet, they will work very well for you.
Nook has a point-we have all lost or never acquired some VERY basic skills......................then there are us FJ40 freaks!!!
Tigerstripe40
SILVER Star
I am going to just compare panels. The battery pack stuff is a bit more complicated.
But here's an apples to apples comparison.
Goal Zero Boulder 90 panel: GOALZERO
Monocrystalline, daisy chain-able (uses MC-4 connector, which is standard for solar panels)
90 watts @ 18-22 volts. (about 4 - 5 amps).
So, figure in 30% power loss due to latitude and other factors, you get about 62 watts ( 2.8 - 3.4 amps).
Here's an 'off brand' 100 watt solar panel: http://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Mo..._n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin:6907042011
Monocrystalline, daisy chain-able as it uses MC-4 connectors,
100 watts @ 18-22 volts ( 4.5 - 5.5 amps)
Less 30% power loss. So 70 watts - 3.15 - 3.8 amps.
Goal Zero 90 watt panel: $400 (not in stock)
ECO-Worth 100 watt panel: $135 (shipped)
But here's an apples to apples comparison.
Goal Zero Boulder 90 panel: GOALZERO
Monocrystalline, daisy chain-able (uses MC-4 connector, which is standard for solar panels)
90 watts @ 18-22 volts. (about 4 - 5 amps).
So, figure in 30% power loss due to latitude and other factors, you get about 62 watts ( 2.8 - 3.4 amps).
Here's an 'off brand' 100 watt solar panel: http://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Mo..._n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin:6907042011
Monocrystalline, daisy chain-able as it uses MC-4 connectors,
100 watts @ 18-22 volts ( 4.5 - 5.5 amps)
Less 30% power loss. So 70 watts - 3.15 - 3.8 amps.
Goal Zero 90 watt panel: $400 (not in stock)
ECO-Worth 100 watt panel: $135 (shipped)
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
I have a couple of connectors fail due to the plastic being too brittle in cold weather. I have taken the broken pieces and traded them for replacements at a trade show. Outside of that, my equipment has been top notch.
I've been happy. My original Sherpa 50 was replaced at no charge via a recall. The new one has survived 4 field seasons and gives me about 2 hours of laptop time. I have the one that charges AA or AAA batteries and that one is great.
My only complaint is their solar recharge times are optimistic. Count on it taking as much as twice as long as they say in real world conditions. It takes more time to recharge even under optimal conditions.