Just because your adventures take place off the grid doesn’t mean you don’t need to plug in from time to time. With a convenient portable design and charging speeds on par with that of the standard wall outlet, the SunJack Portable Solar Chargers offer the next generation of solar powered versatility for your backcountry exploits.
On Performance and Design…
Whether it’s a GPS device to help you find your way home, or snapping summit selfies, the use of power hungry mobile devices in our off-grid adventures has expanded dramatically. In turn, this has fueled a rapid growth of portable solar devices. Yet despite the growth in this market segment, one issue has remained constant: Too little power too slowly.
Unfortunately, traditional portable solar options still leave campers and backcountry explorers in a charging purgatory, sometimes waiting 12 hours or more before attaining full power satiation. That’s a massive time penalty to endure simply for trying to breathe new life into GPS devices, POV cameras, lighting, or even something as simple as music from a portable speaker.
The smart kids at SunJack are changing all of that with portable solar panels that fully charge their internal battery pack in approximately five hours of direct sunlight. Even in variable light, including low-light wooded and overcast situations, the SunJack offers impressive charging performance.
No sun? No worries. The SunJack system still allows users to revive their electronic devices courtesy of the powerful SunJack battery, which can be charged directly via any USB device and holds enough power to charge up to four smartphones.
SunJack encases their sun gobbling mono-crystalline panels in a durable canvas that easily withstands a life of abuse both on and off the grid. A built-in mesh zipper pocket houses the battery, USB ports and cables for easy access. When completely opened, the SunJack systems can be securely attached to a backpack with the included carabiners. When not in use, the panels easily fold up into a convenient package no larger than an iPad.
The SunJack Portable Power Systems…
The SunJack Portable Solar Panel comes in three wattages for different needs. With the 14 Watt model (our test model) you get a four-panel solar charger and SunJack’s 8,000mAh lithium-polymer battery that can charge two USB devices simultaneously, run independently from the solar panels, and has a built in LED light for off-grid lighting.
With the premium 20 Watt SunJack model, family campers get even more energy independence. Complete with 16,000mAh you get enough juice to power up to 8 iPhones, or 1.4 iPads or 8 hours of 5 Watt lighting. Last but not least is the new 7 Watt option with a 4,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery offering a convenient and highly portable power source that’s an ideal option for those looking to save on weight or fill out an emergency preparedness kits.
Notes from the field…
Much like hiking boots, picking the right portable power source is a process in matchmaking. For climbers and those in the ‘ultralight’ community, the 2 pound weight of the SunJack 14w system might be a deal breaker. On extended treks into the backcountry where power is needed, the ability to fully charge in a mere five hours is a tremendous benefit. However, the trade-off is a burdensome weight penalty which may be too much when every ounce counts.
It should be noted that for many outdoor enthusiasts such as day hikers and overnight campers, a supplemental portable battery will satisfy most of your power needs. Yet, that’s also one of the reasons our editor’s love the SunJack system.
Whether it’s a day on the trail, or a quick business trip, you have the option of utilizing the SunJack battery pack as a stand alone charger that still gives you maximum charge with no down-time. It also means that when you’re out in the wild and the sun goes down, you’ve still got a way to charge up – and that’s the type of versatility any outdoor enthusiast can appreciate.
Bottom Line…
More than just dependable power, SunJack raises the bar when it comes to power and versatility for portable solar power.
*Gumption Gear Review received a product sample of the item featured in this review from SunJack at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.