Solio Bolt Battery Pack + Solar Charger

by Solio

• Battery pack and solar charger keeps electronic devices fully charged via on-board battery and rotating solar panels; charges thousands of popular USB powered gadgets
• Accepts charge from the sun via two high-efficiency solar panels, micro-USB power in-port, or wall outlet with optional adapter (sold separately), and holds charge for up to a year
• Multi-function LED light indicates battery level and charging status , and one full BOLT charge will give most smartphones two (or more) complete charges
• Four-hour, 30-minute charge time via USB port/wall charger, eight-to-ten-hour charge time via sun, and three-year average battery life; measures 3.5 by one by 3.5 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.3 ounces
• Comes with Solio Bolt solar charger, USB charge-in cable, Micro-USB charge-out cable, pencil, and Quick Start Guide

Product Description

Amazon.com

The Solio BOLT battery pack and solar charger is an ideal on-the-go companion, keeping you online and in-touch by keeping your electronic devices fully charged. With an on-board battery and rotating solar panels, the device charges thousands of popular USB powered gadgets, including smartphones, MP3 players, e-readers, cameras, and more. Simply connect the the BOLT using your device’s own charging cable. The BOLT accepts a charge from the sun via two high-efficiency solar panels, a micro-USB power in-port, or a wall outlet with optional adapter (sold separately), and holds a charge for up to a year. A multi-function LED light indicates battery level and charging status , and one full BOLT charge will give most smartphones two (or more) complete charges.

Lights	Smartphones	Cameras	GPS	E-Readers	USB Cell Batteries

Simple, fast charging The 1Amp output of the BOLT charges target devices at the same rate as a typical wall charger. On average, a smartphone goes from zero to full in just under three hours.
Sundial for energy capture The innovative design of the BOLT allows a simple pencil (included) to be inserted into the center, which makes the BOLT act like a sundial. Simply point the BOLT towards the sun and rotate it until the pencil no longer casts a shadow. A full day in direct sunlight completely charges the BOLT’s on-board 2000mAh Li-Poly battery.
One-button operation The BOLT has a single LED push button. When it's capturing energy from the sun or USB, the button lights up red. Push the button one time and the BOLT flashes one to five times to indicate battery level, then begins energy output. Push the button one more time to turn the power off.
Charging efficiency While electronics are changing all the time, there are two standard charging specs that devices adhere to -- a CTIA standard charge output, which most devices follow, and an Apple charge output which Apple products follow. The BOLT is designed to switch modes, allowing for the most efficient charging of all devices, regardless of which charging mode they require. When the BOLT’s LED button is green, this indicates it is in CTIA charging output mode. To switch modes, simply hold down the button for five seconds and release. The button will then light up blue, indicating it is now in a mode optimized for Apple products like the iPad, iPhone, and iPod.
Heat and chemistry A high temperature-rated Li-Poly battery is unlike other battery chemistries, working in high-heat with a 60C specification which means the heat of the sun never interrupts efficient solar charging. When the useful life of the rechargeable battery is over, the BOLT’s battery is easily user-replaceable.
Charge when the sun goes down The BOLT’s battery can be re-charged via the micro-USB port using the included USB charging cable. From USB, the BOLT’s battery charges to full capacity in 4.5 hours.
Compact for travel When the BOLT is not spun open to capture energy from the sun, it folds closed into a compact package that fits in the palm of your hand. At only 5.3 ounces, it stows easily, providing battery back-up for USB powered electronics while on-the-go.

Specifications

• Five-watt maximum wattage
• Fixed 5V, 1,000mAh discharge rate
• 5-5.5V 450mAh charge rate
• Four-hour, 30-minute charge time via USB port/wall charger
• Eight-to-ten-hour charge time via sun
• Three-year average battery life
• 3.7V/2,000mAh Li-Poly battery
• Measures 3.5 by one by 3.5 inches (W x H x D)
• 5.3-ounce weight

What's in the box?

• Solio Bolt solar charger
• USB charge-in cable
• Micro-USB charge-out cable
• Pencil
• Quick Start Guide

About Solio
Solio is the brand name of Better Energy Systems Inc, a private company based in Oakland, California with teams in the United Kingdom and Kenya. The company was founded in 2002 to design, develop, and market power products for handheld electronics. The company's stated mission is to "bring clean, renewable energy into the daily lives of people throughout the world, making better energy a way of life for everyone," which it seeks to accomplish by:

• Providing energy equality, the belief that all people -- regardless of geography or economic standing -- are entitled to clean energy and light
• Engaging in the fight against poverty by implementing new ways to bring sustainable power and light to people at the base of the economic pyramid
• Making renewable energy innovations widely and affordably available, in order to enable a global shift toward new energy infrastructure

Product Description

With an on-board battery and rotating solar panels, the Solio BOLT charges popular USB powered gadgets from smartphone and MP3 players, to e-readers, GPS, and cameras

• Includes Micro-USB to USB Cable for charging via USB port / USB port wall adapter, can also be used as a charging cord for any Micro-USB devices
• Charge Time: Via USB port/wall charger is 4.5 hours, Via Solar 8 - 10 hours
• Battery: 3.7V/2,000mAh Li-Poly - User replaceable at end of life (average 3 years)
• Pencil - Insert the pencil through the center of the BOLT to easily prop towards the sun
• Max Wattage: 5 Watts
• Discharge Rate: Fixed 5V, 1,000mAh
• Charge Rate: 5-5.5V 450mAh
• Weight: 5.3oz
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 1"

Item Specifications
Unit of Sale	Each

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches ; 4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B005AEQ43I
• Item model number: S620-AH1RW
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,988 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 69 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A modest solar-powered external battery option November 15, 2011

By David

I bought a Solio Bolt when they were first released as a backup external battery for my HTC Desire smartphone. My well-used phone struggles to get through a busy day on a single charge, and I was keen to have an emergency power source for when I was travelling. The ability to use it to charge any USB-rechargeable gadget (eg. my kids iPods) without the need for various adaptors made it a very attractive option.

The Solio site claims "The Bolt will give most smartphones two + complete charges!" Well, I don't know about most smartphones, but mine has a 1400mAh battery, so expecting two complete charges from the Bolt's 2000mAh battery was always going to seem a little, um, heroic. A fully charged Bolt actually recharges my 1400mAh battery to about 90% of its capacity (taking about 2 hours to do so, before the Bolt runs dry). That loss of efficiency is probably to be expected, and may actually be pretty good compared to other devices, but it does mean the Bolt falls somewhat short of what the marketing bumpf might lead you to believe.

Similarly, my real-world experience of the charging times are a little longer than the advertised specs. From a usb cable plugged into a wall charger, about 7.8 hours rather than 4.5 (in Australia and France). From the solar panels, closer to 15-20 hours rather than 10-12, but probably because in the real world you are not constantly monitoring it to optimise its angle to the sun, or you have left it to charge through glass on a window sill, etc. Which still impresses me, but it is a pity the competition for customers means that manufacturers of these sort of devices can't risk advertising more realistic real-world specs.

Finally, watch out for the Bolt's multi-function LED button. Why it isn't better recessed on the battery casing is beyond me. When the button is pressed it flashes to indicate how much charge the Bolt contains, flashing once for every 20% of charge. It then continues to flash to indicate it is recharging a device, even when nothing is plugged into the Bolt, until the button is pressed again. It is very easy for this button to get bumped on when stowed away in a bag. A little flashing LED isn't going to drain much charge very quickly (is it?), but such a silly thing could have been so easily avoided in the design.

There is much to like about the Bolt, and sitting on my sill at home it will make a nifty little emergency power supply for my phone. But its battery capacity and charging times mean it's not quite the travelling companion I was hoping for.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Works Great with Apple Products November 18, 2011

By Steve

I've had my Solio Bolt for over a month now and it works great with both my iPhone 4 and iPad 2. I'll admit that I'm not diligent enough in adjusting my Bolt when charging via the sun to adjust it regularly but it charges close to full while I'm out backpacking and camping. I'm guessing that if I were to adjust it more regularly I'd get even better results. The Bolt routinely recharges my iPhone which I rely quite a bit while I'm out for the day. It's great to be able to come back and recharge my phone overnight and be ready to go in the morning.
I can also use the Bolt to provide a boost to my iPad 2. Clearly the 2000mAh battery isn't large enough to fully recharge the iPad but I can watch movies and not be concerned with running out of power while backpacking and camping.
The built in USB port means that if I get any new devices (I just have the two Apple products at the moment) I just need a USB cable and I'm all set.
I'd recommend this to anyone going camping or needing a battery backup in case of emergency.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Works with iPhone 4S November 30, 2011

By Mountain Hiker

Amazon Verified Purchase

Purpose: Wanted to be able to charge my iPhone 4S on the backcountry. I use it for maps/gps/phone/camera/light. Using just a phone decreases my overall weight, but battery life is a problem. Previously I had brought a single spare battery, but could only use my phone for key things (and had to carry separate maps/light/camera).

Context: Initial 2 days of use only around house. Have compared to the GoalZero Adventure Kit (which was too heavy and not iPhone 4S friendly). Plan to review the Solarmio Pro from REI (lighter than the GoalZero Kit). I've looked online a fair amount already, and want something for a long hike.

Pros:
- 5oz, one of the lightest I've seen
- charges iPhone 4S and 3GS without issue. Holds about a single full charge in the battery (I'll update this review if I get any more out of it). I tested a 3 light/60% Bolt charge, which transfered to about a 60% iPhone boost.
- Very compact

Cons:
- Single hole located in center will require a little work to get it to sit upright correctly on my pack while hiking.
- Does not charge fast even given full sun (that's what you get for a small unit!)

Overall, very pleased so far. Will see how it goes in the backcountry for a prolonged hike. I'm not going to bet my life on this (e.g. I'll basically know where I'm going if I'm not carrying maps). However, for the light-weight hiker who uses an iPhone, this might be the best one out there.