Product Description

When on the go power for your gadgets is key, plug into the Solio Hybrid 1000. This hybrid boasts a powerful solar panel and battery in an incredibly compact and slender case, conveniently geared with a built-in rugged carabiner and cable. The Hybrid 1000 is simple to use. Just clip on, plug in, and charge up! Universal Charger – Power virtually all your electronic devices. Works out of the box with most common mobile phones, MP3 players, and GPS units - simply change the adaptor tip. Stores Power - Charge your devices anytime, day or night. Internal rechargeable battery stores power for up to one year. One hour of sunlight = 15 minutes talk time or 40 minutes of MP3 music! Hybrid Charger - Charge anywhere on Earth. Plug into the Sun and charge Solio through its solar panel, it’s free and green! Or use the included cable to charge from the USB port of any computer. Comes with… USB port replicator tip, Mini-USB tip, Nokia tip, USB charging cable, and instruction manual. Limited 1 year warranty. Specifications: Rechargeable battery 3.7V 1000mAh (Lithium Ion). Rated output 1.5 to 5 watts. DC input charge range: 5-6 volts at 400mA. Solar panel output 0.6 watts. Dimensions 7.7 x 2.7 0.5 in.

Product Details

• Size: 7.7 x 2.7 x 0.5 in.
• Color: Dark Grey
• Brand: Solio
• Model: S326-B36T
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, .75 pounds

Features

• Provides an emergency power source when away from power outlets
• Stores energy from solar panel; can also be charged via USB port of any computer with included tip
• Works with most mobile phones, MP3 players, and GPS devices right out of the box
• Just 1 hour of sunshine provides approximately 14 minutes of cell phone talk time or 40 minutes of MP3 playback
• Compact, high impact plastic shell; built-in rugged carabiner and cable

Amazon.com Product Description
When on-the-go power for your gadgets is key, plug into the Solio Hybrid 1000, which boasts a powerful solar panel and battery in an incredibly compact and slender case. Simple to use, the Hybrid 1000 is geared for outdoor adventures with its compact, high impact plastic shell and built-in rugged carabiner and cable. Solio also limits your need to purchase and carry around multiple chargers for all of your gadgets and is your one-stop charging solution for all of your products from cell phones and iPods, to digital cameras, game players, and GPS.

Plug into the Sun, and charge Solio through its solar panel--it's free and green. The Hybrid 1000 also accepts power from the USB port of any computer, using the energy to power your gadgets at the same rate as if they were plugged into the wall. Solio will also hold its charge for up to a year. You can also use the optional Solio Global Wall Adapter to charge from the wall.

Features:

• A full Solio H1000 will charge a typical mobile phone once or give 10 hours of MP3 music. Just 1 hour of sunshine provides approximately 14 minutes talk time or 40 minutes of MP3 music.*
• Provides an emergency power source when away from power outlets.
• Adapter tips allow you to power multiple gadgets with a single charger (tips for most products included in pack)
• Works with multiple gadgets, including mobile phones, iPhone, Bluetooth headsets, smartphones/PDAs, MP3 players, portable gaming devices, digital cameras, GPS and much more.
• Reusable--use it again and again.
• Compact lightweight design--convenient for travel or emergency use.

Specifications:

• Nominal DC Output: 3V 1.2A
• Maximum Wattage: 3.6 Watts
• Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Ion 3.7V 1A cell
• DC Input: 5-6V 0.4Ah
• Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.71 x 2.6 inches (LxHxW)
• Weight: 4.6 ounces
• Temperature Range: -4F to 131F (-20C to 55C)

What's in the Box?
Solio Hybrid 1000, adapter tip system cable, USB Port Replicator tip (powers iPhone, iPod, MP3 players), Mini-USB tip (powers Motorola, Blackberry, Garmin, iRiver), Nokia tip, instruction manual.

*Performance times may vary slightly depending on type of device and intensity of sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Solio compatible with my iPhone? The USB port replicator tip--included in the box--is also compatible with iPods, MP3 players, and many digital cameras. A separately available adapter is required for the iPhone 3G and second generation iPod touch.

Can I charge Solio on a cloudy day and can it be left outdoors? Yes, Solio will charge on a cloudy day, although less efficiently than when under clear skies. Cloud cover can also be too thick to allow enough sunlight through to the solar panels. Solio is engineered to be rugged and weather resistant, but it is not entirely weatherproof. Solio should not be left out in wet, rainy, or snowy conditions without a protective covering.

Can I charge a device while charging the Solio? Yes, providing that the Solio has a bit of power on it. Please note that as the Solio is transferring power to your device it will not gain much of a charge, if at all. If the current drawn is greater than the amount that sunlight conditions allow the Solio to charge it's internal battery, you may not significantly receive a charge from the Solio.

About Solio
Solio is made by Better Energy Systems, a company that develops and markets portable clean technology products for travel, work, and play. Their award-winning designers and engineers think 'outside the grid' to develop new technologies for the eco-mobility market, creating true energy independence for people around the world. With products engineered to the highest technical and environmental standards, BES enables customers to take a meaningful step on the path to sustainability.

Founded in 2001 in London, BES envisions a massive shift in energy delivery and infrastructure to combat global warming. They believe that making renewable technology accessible to the average person will speed this shift. Solio, the company's flagship product, was conceived as a 'trojan horse' for the renewable energy market; a versatile hand-held charger that opens the lives and minds of consumers to the potential of solar. BES also stands for energy equality: the belief that all people - regardless of geography or economic standing - are entitled to clean energy and light. BES is engaged in the fight against poverty by finding new ways to bring sustainable power and light to people at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Customer Reviews

Does what it should, but could be more convienient
While it has some usability issues, overall the Solio H1000 charger solidly does what it is supposed to do.

First, the good parts. I've had the battery charger for about 6 months now, and the battery and solar panel both work solidly. Note that the solar panel is only really effective outside (windows filter out non-visible light). In other words, if you hang it on a tree in bright sunlight, you should be able to charge your phone once per camping day. And while this is obviously designed for camping, I find myself charging my phone with it whenever I accidentally let my phone drain.

Ok, the bad part... namely the baggie of easily lost connectors that goes with each unit. The connector for your charger of choice is thin, detached, and is constantly getting lost. The USB plug to charge this unit is similarly thin, detached and constantly getting lost. Furthermore, sometimes things charge automatically when plugged into the unit, sometimes you have to hit a button a few times. The battery charged indicator is a simply unclear series of flashing lights.

On overall reflection, it is still a very useful unit. Sadly, I've failed to use it as often as so simply because the needed plastic dangly bits were nowhere to be found, or the plug-in charge function felt like being finicky that day.

Useful when away from an electrical outlet
I've taken this little unit to many summer music festivals. You can dangle it off your knapsack when hiking or angle it southfacing if resting. I tested it primarily with my iPhone with the only disappointment with maybe an inadequate charge (if I used my iPhone heavily that day). You can compensate somewhat by charging this system up in your hotel room (or some outlet near the stage) at night. Nano textiles will eventually replace the need for separate solar modules but until then this is a reliable (but don't soak it in water) unit.

Never Really Worked Correctly
I bought this because I frequemtly travel on long flights and wanted and "emergency backup power option" if I was ever stuck on a runway for 10 hours, etc.

I came with some really poor documentation. I also agree with other reviewer(s) that getting the red charge-light to blink is tricky. I THINK the documents says the green light should blink from 1 to 5 times to indicate battery level. I left mine in full-sun for both days of a weekend and still the green light blinked only once.

I also bought the special adapter for the iPhone and it never worked. However, after screwing around with the cable connection between my solar unit and iPhone (the connection of the cable to the solar unit was the worst aspect) it did fully charge the iPhone in less than half an hour. That charge was not done using the special iPhone adapter I paid extra for - it was done using their included standard USB tip.

I could live with everything about the unit except for the way the cable attaches to the Solio. After the single time I successfully charged the iPhone, I was never able to bend, pull, push or twist the cable into the Solio again to get a successful connection.

I would return it for refund - but I expect that would really be frustrating. I'll just toss it in a drawer somewhere and throw it out a couple years from now after asking myself; "why did I even keep this thing - it never worked anyway."