Solar chargers need to go on a diet
It's great that solar rechargers are starting to catch on, but we're not thrilled at the idea of carrying one that's 10 times the size of the phone it's supposed to power. Brunton's "SolarPort 4.4" isn't that big and won't give us a hernia (we hope), but it's still not as portable as we'd like.
(Credit:
Brunton)
The charger, which Red Ferret says is designed for handheld devices and nothing bigger, weighs 19 ounces and measures 9.3 by 6 inches and 1.5 inches thick. That would stow easily in a bag or maybe even a large purse, but it's still too bulky for a pocket unless you're Andre the Giant.
A smaller alternative is the Solio charger that's about as thick as the SolarPort but only 4.7 by 2.5 inches and weighing less than 6 ounces. (It's also cheaper--$79 vs. $110.) Given our spotty gym schedule, that seems a lot more doable.
The downsides of SolarPort 4.4 include:
1.) The lack of a battery backup that the Solio offers; it's not always sunny when you're camping, hiking, or outlasting a hurricane.
2.) The size can be cumbersome when hiking and it's just heavy enough to make rigging it to the outside of a tent a chore.
3.) The rubber gaskets on the ends of the hinges, which are vital to keeping the unit clean, can break off in heavy use.
Conclusion:
I'd recommend the SolarPort 4.4 for a casual user who wants an inexpensive, yet rugged solar charger. I have no experience with the Solio so I can't say how it would hold up. The Solio's battery backup is a feature I wish Brunton would adopt.
My next purchase will most likely be the Brunton Solaris 26 or Brunton SolarRolls in order to power a laptop or trickle charge my car or boat batteries.
Brunton Solar Chargers