Solio Classic Universal Hybrid Charger

This was part of my lovely prize pack, so I really want to be able to write up a glowing report.  However, this is only the begining of my review...as I have not successfully used the solio yet!!

We took it with us on our trip to Canada.  I charged the thing up, no problem.  However, I didn't realize that if I wanted to use the solio, I needed to bring a cord with me (the instructions are incredibly vague- they are actually illustration instructions rather than written instructions...), so usage attempt number 1- failed.

Back in our apartment, I figured out the cord problem, and was going to try charging my cell phone.  But my cell phone doesn't fit any of the standard connector tips (LG VX8300).  It will work for Matt's cell, and our iPods, so some day I will try the solio out, but so far, it hasn't been happening.  :(

This cool little solar hybrid charger is an easy way to take re-charge power with you where ever you go... As the picture shows, it has 3 small solar modules that are exposed when you unfurl it into a propeller shape. A short pencil or stick through the middle hole will allow you to prop it up at an angle for better solar charging. It also ships with a suction cup so you can stick it to windows while driving or flying to charge it. When not charging the panels slide on top of each other into a kind of flat egg shape that fits in your pocket, or just about anywhere else. This "Classic" version of the solio is available in a few colors like silver, black, pink, and white. It is also a "hybrid" in that if you don't have a day or two (or three) of sunlight to charge it up, you can plug it into a wall outlet to charge it's internal battery as well.

It only has one button on it. If you want to know how much charge is in it, press the button once. 1 flash = 25%, 2 flashes = 50%, 3 = 75%, and 4 = 100%... When you are ready to charge a device, you attach an appropriate addapter (several "tips" ship with it, many others can be ordered for an additional charge), attach your device to that adapter - and press the above mentioned button once. It will first flash green the number of times relevant to how much charge it has left, then it starts to a repetative shorter flash meaning that it is charging.

One adapter you may consider ordering is the standard 12v car-style adapter. Many devices come with car chargers and this allows you to attach any of those to the Solio.

<<Updated>>  Before the last two big software updates on the iPhone, the Solio seemed to only be able to charge it to 50%... while draining the Solio's entire battery.  It will charge it up just fine now - some of the software/firmware patches for the iPhone involved battery life, so perhaps a fix helpled the charging...  It will tend to drain the Solio's battery completely if left to charge for too long.  I am guessing that once the battery is charged (and probably while it is charging, to some extent) the iPhone uses what it thinks is "grid power" to energize WIFI and such. 

For my iPhone, I only charge it with my Solio or in the car (hybrid). No grid power at all... Been going fine that way for close to a year. If I need to charge the Solio - I just leave it in the back yard during the day proped up with a pencil while I am out... I don't need it every day so the 8-10 hour charging time is no big deal for my useage.  It usually takes me 2 days for a full charge, but if completely drained - 3 days...

...it also is a good alternative energy conversation starter!

I love this toy! I've owned it for about 3 years now and it's great thing to have when travelling. It's also a great conversation piece. I do wish it took a little less time to charge. If you're not in an overly sunny area, it can be a bit of a problem. Plus, each time I've upgraded a phone or my palm pilot, I have to buy more adapters. Minor complaints when compared to the convenience. It's a great product.

The Solio is a great device if you are on the go. This product lets you charge small devices such as your cell phone or ipod through the sun. How it works is basically three small solar panels with a small battery, the user can charge the device through the sun or can plug the solio into an outlet. The acutal solio is nicley designed and built, but the connector tips to connect the Solio to your phone or ipod are very poorly made. I feel that is the downside to the product, the company did not spend much time developing the connection tips and it shows. Charing the Solio from the sun takes about 8-10 hours, charing it through an outlet takes 6 hours. 60 minutes of Sun exposure can give your mobile phone 10 mins of talk time.

The solio is not the most user friendly device to know if the solio is fully charged or not, you have to count flashes of a light, for example 1 flash indicates 25% charge, 2 flashes indicates 50% charge, 3 flashes indicates 75% charge, and 4 flashes indicates 100%....this could be annoying to understand how much charge is left in the solio becasue the falshing light can be difficult to see outdoors.

This products looks really cool and charging it with the sun will impress the people you know. This is first generation product, so I can only see it getting much better in the future.