Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Kit, Clothing, Tools, etc
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dangerman
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Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Post by dangerman »

I've got one of these in my bag. http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/goal-zero-g ... it-p200348 I've also got the Adventure Kit (same thing but with a 7W panel) that I take with me camping or on days out.

Some may look at it as an extravagance, but being a modern kind of person I do rely heavily on my social media. I think I'd have a breakdown if I didn't have access to google 24/7.

This little 3.5W panel is excellent, but I think people in the UK need to be realistic with it and also learn to use it to it's strengths. I'm surprised how many people have complained about these things, GZ must know that some people are disappointed with charge times I'm surprised they've not created more video guides and suggestions for users.

I think I've managed to figure it out though, I think I could manage off grid indefinitely with my little bit of kit.

Anyway, I've got two sets of AA batteries and one set of AAA. These will power my torches and little radio as well as charge my phone.

Has anybody got anything like it? I'd definitely recommend it. Especially if you have a CB or HAM radio or something the like. I also find it endlessly useful when travelling. No need to rely on finding power sockets - they're like gold dust in airports and I've not seen a USB outlet on a plane yet.

The sad thing is that the mobile kit has been discontinued and I don't think that GZ are renewing it. They're replaced the Guide 10 with something called a Switch 8. Less power and will only charge USB devices. So if you were going to get one of these, get it soon. Otherwise, the adventure kit (to the tune of £120) is the best option. Here's my adventure kit charging my LG G2 (phone plugged into Guide 10, Guide 10 plugged into Nomad 7).

Image
I love motorcycles like a fat guy loves cake. I also love cake.
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piglet
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Re: Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Post by piglet »

Or there's the DIY version......

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=6598

Solar...Mains...or 12v dc
ain't settlin'
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dangerman
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Location: Liverpool

Post by dangerman »

Yeah, I had a good look around at the diy stuff, but for £50 I think it's a fantastic all round deal. Goal Zero remind me of Apple. They're expensive, but lovely bits of kit.

I did a diy version of the YETI 1250 just by buying an inverter and battery. Does the job and only cost about £100 as opposed to £1200.

Ugly though. :)
I love motorcycles like a fat guy loves cake. I also love cake.
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dangerman
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Location: Liverpool

Re: Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Post by dangerman »

Just in case anyone cares - here's the actual Mobile Kit. I just used it today (I practice using all my kit occasionally). I managed to charge my smart phone up (moto g this time) from 0% to 100% and still had my Guide 10 at 100% too.

It has been incredibly sunny today though.

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I love motorcycles like a fat guy loves cake. I also love cake.
90.
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Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 11:48 pm
Location: Area 12 - Cardiff-ish

Re: Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Post by 90. »

That's a handy kit I've used a fair bit of goal zero over the last couple of years, my favorite was the yeti 400 topped up with solar panels
GZ make nice kit & the current weather is ideal for proving your kits capabilities.

I've had a couple of comments about my solar set up on my truck mostly from people that don't understand it, for me it means I can camp and run my engel fridge, lights& radio etc without having to run the engine almost indefinitely.

Its only when you don't have access to a plug that you see how useful a small portable setup is.

regards
90.
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dangerman
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Re: Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Post by dangerman »

Yeah, too right! And that is exactly why I find this little kit so vital. I've been without my phone before - on more occasions than I would like. Most bad situations that anyone is likely to find themselves in could be fixed by having access to a phone. Bearing in mind that even if you're stranded in the countryside a mobile will still have access to the emergency network.

I was thinking about price today too - for £50 what more could anyone want? This is a top of the range kit that really works well. If a person decided the DIY option I think it would cost about £35 and would be really messy and probably won't work as well.

No brainer.

One last picture. :D

Image

As you say, 90., the weather has been perfect for testing. And now I know that in perfect UK weather, it will charge my 3000mah smartphone AND fully charge the 2300AA Guide 10 batteries.

Very happy with that.
I love motorcycles like a fat guy loves cake. I also love cake.
Mally
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Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 3:33 pm

Re: Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Post by Mally »

I'm a technological ludite. Seriously! Not exaggerating! So, I'm struggling a bit with this to understand it. So, could you answer me some questions please if you don't mind.
In another few months I'm not gonna have access to a power point on a regular basis. I'll have 2 basic phones with chargers. A tablet with charger and a mobile wifi with charger. Could I charge all these things from this and if do, how. Do they just plug in for instance with an adapter or something. Also, I'm gonna need to charge AA and AAA batteries. Again, do they just plug in.
Sorry if these questions sound daft.
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dangerman
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Re: Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Post by dangerman »

Yep, it will do all that. However, if you're really depending on it for your wi-fi, tablet and phones, I'd get a bigger kit. This little solar charger will only create so much power. It's perfect for my needs, since all I really need is my phone.

Basically, this thing charges batteries and the batteries are used to power a USB outlet. The USB outlet can then charge any of your USB devices - tablet, phone and mi-fi. The thing is that realistically, it won't charge the batteries very quickly, as show in my little test above. This thing managed to charge my phone and the four aa batteries in one day of very good sunlight. That's a best case scenario - a total of about 5000mah per day generated. I bet on an average cloudy day in the UK you'd get half of that.

In which case, if you were to buy a bigger panel and a bigger power pack then you'd be safer.

There are cheaper options to this Goal zero kit. Like the EasyAcc stuff. You can get a 7w solar panel from amazon for about £17 and a really high capacity battery (12000mah power bank) for about £26.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EasyAcc%C2%AE-1 ... ds=easyacc

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EasyAcc%C2%AE-P ... ds=easyacc

Or another bigger folding solar panel, this one is 16w.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XDPOWERS-Foldab ... olar+panel

I've not tested the EasyAcc or other stuff though, so can't confirm that it works as well as it theoretically should.
I love motorcycles like a fat guy loves cake. I also love cake.
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dangerman
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Re: Goal Zero Mobile Kit

Post by dangerman »

That said, the unique thing about the Goal Zero kit is that it charges the aa and aaa batteries. All other power banks I've seen have the built in battery (which once it goes bad is totally useless.

There is a DIY option as seen in above post though. But for the sake of £50, I still say the GZ mobile kit is an absolute steal.
I love motorcycles like a fat guy loves cake. I also love cake.
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dangerman
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Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:26 am
Location: Liverpool

Post by dangerman »

If you've got loads of money then the next kit up from the adventure kit is called the Sherpa 50 kit and comes with a 13w solar panel. This would do the job for you easily.

http://www.goalzero.eu/shop/backpacking ... solar-kit/
I love motorcycles like a fat guy loves cake. I also love cake.