Dirt in your skirt blog

Endless Sun Solar Apollo 6 Solar Charger

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Margaret Schlachter

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For years my eye has been on a solar charger for my electronics in the wilderness. Between weekend camping trips, all day adventures and more sometimes having a backup is a necessity when navigating terrain or wanting to snap some video, photos or above all having an emergency device to call for help. A couple months ago Endless Sun Solar sent me their Apollo 6 Solar Charger to give a test in the element.

IMG_1203The Apollo 6 Solar Charger is lightweight portable charger that allows you to harness the power of the sun to charge electronic devices. It is perfect for recharging an iPhone while out on a backpacking camping trip or mountain bike trip. The solar panels are rugged and able to pack away in a backpack without the fear of them breaking. The charging stick the features a built in flash light that is powerful enough for you to find your way around camp on the darkest of nights.

 

In the Field: 

Over the last couple of months I have given this product a test run in a variety of situations from backpack camping in the high mountains to a mountain bike trip in the late winter desert as well as testing it in the backyard for an everyday backup when I forget to charge my devices.

IMG_0368The first impression is the rugged design. By accident I left it out in the rain only to come back and find it did not hurt the product at all. It also continues to charge devices in the shade! I have hooked my phone directly to the panels as well as charged a powerstick then plugged it into my phone. I found the best use of the panels was to charge the stick while out doing activities then charge the phone when back from a mini adventure with the stick. The powerstick will give my phone over a full charge without the extra battery pack I have one it and with the extra battery pack it charges both almost full. The lightweight design has been a real selling point, it’s easy to pack away and doesn’t take up much room in my pack.

For me, I have only used it while at camp but the double eyelets on the charging bank allow you to hang it from your pack as you hike. For me it’s been a nice piece of mind to have an extra battery out in the wilderness in case of an emergency. The desert digital color of the charging cells helps to hide it a bit when we left camp but wanted the stick to be charged when we got back from a mountain bike ride. We were able to safely hid it at camp while at the same time allow it to continue to charge.

 

Tech Specs:

IMG_1207Solar Cell Type: Copper Indium Gallium di-Selenide (CIGS) encapsulated in Super Barrier Film

Solar Cell Efficiency: 15%

Dimensions: 49x20cm (unfolded) – 20×13.5×2.5cm (folded)

Weight: 250g (~8.8oz)

Max Voltage at STC: 6v

Nominal Voltage: 5v

Amperage at STC: 1

Total Wattage at STC: 6

Reverse Flow Protection: Yes

Overcharge Protection: Yes

Standard Test Conditions: 1000 W/Sq. M, Cell Temperature of 25C, 1.5 Airmass.

Overall: 

The Endless Sun Solar Apollo 6 USB Charger retails for $124.95 and is worth every penny when you need some juice out in the wilderness. It can charge an iPhone, reader, GoPro, and more when out away from the world. It’s a great backup and has been a great piece of mind when out for a weekend away from any power source.

 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Endless Sun Solar Apollo 6 USB Charger for free from Endless Sun Solar as coordinated by Outdoor PR in consideration for review publication. All views are those of the reviewer.