Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 11
 Expectation Eclipses Performance February 16, 2006
Eric Crampton
11 out of 23 found this review helpful
Unfortunately I have had no success with this solar charger. I acknowledge that I have only tried to charge two cell phones, one via the USB port and the other through the built-in adapter. However, neither one charged to any noticeable degree. While Indiana winters do not supply a surplus of sunshine, I attached the charger to a south-exposed window with suction cups and failed to get results on nearly 100% sunny days. In fact, once the phone ran out of juice on me and in every case the battery indicator stayed the same or dropped. Of course, the phone was on and thus using some battery charge, but to only maintain the charge, at best, is unacceptable. I have a coil/shake flashlight and a crank flashlight, so I desire to utilize renewable energy, but it has to work and I can't recommend the product when it can't charge a cell phone with its relatively low consumption/demand.
 Good product, but a few caveats August 21, 2007
RBlue (Connecticut)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Generally, I find the Brunton Solarport works as advertised, but there are a couple things people should know before getting one. First, it has trouble charging hi-capacity NiMH batteries (1800mAh +). It might charge 2 in very bright light, but not 4. Second, don't expect it to charge well using light that has passed through a window. Window glass often filters and/or reflects light, so the unit receives less light and is therefore less effective. (Of course, you can solve these problems by spending another $100 for another Solarport and linking the 2 together, but for $200 you might consider another solar option.)
 solar power October 6, 2007
Atticus Bailey (Patchogue, NY USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The solarport has some really neat features. It includes a cigarette lighter plug-in port and it also comes with a battery recharger for AA and AAA batteries. One down side is to charge your cell phone you have to turn it off, which can be frustrating to turn off your phone in the middle of the day. However, it charges really quick in bout 3 minutes i can charge my cell phone 5%. This is a really good product for camping and hiking also. I'm still figuring out new ways to use it every day. It is one of my favorite gadgets and I reccomend it.
 Not Recommended April 14, 2008
Denver Guy (Denver, CO)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It's a great concept. Unfortunately, it didn't work that well for me. Even in the bright sunlight here in Colorado, I could only charge 2 NMH batteries at the same time. And it won't work through a window. Not very good for $110.
Tech support? They have one guy, and you have to call the main switchboard - they don't have a tech support number. Good luck reaching him. I left him a message 3 days ago and never heard back. As far as I'm concerned, their tech support is non-existent.
I returned mine.
It works but... August 18, 2008
M. Wiechers (WI)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I, like many others had a hard time figuring out how to get this thing to work. It has one major design flaw. When it is not in DIRECT sunlight, the battery charger indicator lights will show that the batteries are fully charged. For a long time I thought that it wasn't working.
It needs full on, undiffused sunlight or it just won't work. When you find a patch of sunlight it works great. Due to this I would recommend keeping a good supply of charged batteries on hand if on a long trip out in the field in case of extended times of cloudiness.
For the money it works well, just make sure you keep it in DIRECT sunlight.
|
