Customer Reviews

Surge Hybrid Solar Charger for iPhone 3G, 3G S (Black)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

We will hiking for a month and have been looking for ways to charge our iPhones on the trail.

After waiting for months, my white/orange surge finally arrived! It's beautiful and about the same size as a Mophie Juice Pack (charging case), and the same price.

After using it for about a month, here's my review.

1) as a plug in/extra battery charger case, it rocks. I wear it with a carabiner on my belt loop while its recharging my phone (about 1-2 hours). It's easy to use and after an initial problem getting my phone to sit correctly, it now slides in easily and firmly.

2) as a purely solar charger, it is disappointing. I've tried leaving the charger sit in the direct and indirect sun that hits my porch for three days, and it was still barely charged. I've tried sitting it on my dashboard (to absorb sunlight through the windshield), and it gets hardly any juice. As a purely solar charger, I'm not going to get enough power for my daily email needs on the hike.

Having said that, I would still recommend the Surge. It is the same size as a Juice Pack and functions exactly the same (plug into my computer to charge the case, carry it around in my purse till I need it) and works very well. As solely a solar charger, it is lacking. But who cares? If I can get a little juice from the sun and consume a little less from the grid, then its a good thing. The cost is the same as other charging cases, and the Surges are very cute! Maybe those living closer to the equator get better sun power.

Note; When the Surge battery is almost empty, it is best to disconnect the iPhone and let the Surge charge up on solar power alone. Why? As the Surge battery gets empty, the phone flips back to using its own battery, then when the Surge has collected a tiny bit of power from the sun, it flips back to charging mode. I was serenaded by beeping every 20-30 seconds until I realized this was happening. Unplug the phone, let the Surge charge up again on its on from the sun, then plug it back in if you need more power.

Solar power from such a tiny panel is, well, tiny. But I love the case and would recommend it for anyone considering a powered case.

(We ended up also buying a HyperShop HyperDrive MBP-60 ($200) to carry backpacking - It weighs one pound and will charge our phones 14 times! Worth it!)

Purchased a i-phone solar charger made by Novothink, Inc and sold by A.P.D in Brooklyn, NY. Product would not charge phone, even after leaving it on dashboard for hours. Called APD and they told me to call MFG and gave phone number of Novothink....who did give me RMA to return for a differnt unit. However, new unit also would not charge phone, again after leaving it in sun for hours. Product will not work and A.P.D refuses to take it back, claiming it is beyond their 14 day return policy. Made no difference that I initially called them within 14 days. Pruduct does not work as advertised! APD acting like another Brooklyn 'gotcha' company. Still trying to resolve this with Novothink?

I got this unit a few days ago. It does more or less what it says, but I think there is a flaw in it's design. Apparently it's supposed to shut off if it gets too hot. This would seem prudent, except for the fact that mine shuts off when you put it in direct sunlight. Ergo it does not charge. (Ok - I can't say for a fact that it shuts off, but there is no noticeable change in the charge level after 3 hours in the sun, and the red LED light shuts off as soon as it gets a full blast of sunlight)

The only way I have been able to get it to charge via solar is expose it to *indirect* or reflected sunlight, or to partially obscure the Solar cell with a bit of paper. I am at a loss to explain why a charger that is meant to utilize the sun shuts off when exposed to it. I should also point out that I am in Calgary, and it's about 15 celcius - which is just pleasantly cool. Certainly not hot enough to fry a Li-polymer battery cell.

So it's kind of a waste of money in my opinion. If novothink provides a means to update the firmware of replace a defective one with a working one, this product would get a 5 and I'd buy one for my family members who use an iPhone.

I was excited to receive this before a trip to Australia; we were to be away in the bush and this seemed the perfect solution. Alas, it never worked correctly. Left in direct and indirect sun, it never fully charged its battery. Furthermore, and more egregious, it never was able to charge the iPod, even if it'd been charged via the USB cable. When plugged in to the Surge, the iPod continually chimed its "plugged in" chime, over and over, without ever getting that promised "surge". Lots of different experiments showed it was a lemon.

Customer service was fast up 'til it was ordered and on its way. They have not responded to repeated requests since my return in December. The phone numbers for Novothink are also disconnected. Are they out of business or just hiding?

Don't waste your money.

Unfortunately, the Novothink Surge Solar Charger for the iPhone 3G and 3GS serves only as an additional battery. The meter that indicates how much energy is going to the battery via the solar panels on the back, even in the strongest sunlight, goes only up to 1.5 (out of 4). Even with hours of sunlight, the battery does not seem to recharge at all, and instead requires the use of the AC adapter to charge the battery in the case. There is also the very annoying transition period when the battery in the case finally runs down. My iPhone goes between thinking it's using an external power source and its own battery multiple times a minute (it sounds like it's whimpering). If you truly want to be able to charge your iPhone using the sun, I suggest you look elsewhere, or buy solar offsets on your home energy bill!

Do not waste your money still on this product, it needs to work through the design A LOT MORE, not only its HUUUGE but also it does not do what promised you will ran out of battery no matter if you leave your phone on the sun!

I never have to worry about my iPhone running low on charge with this solar charger. I agree with the other review that the usb plugin is great for days when the sun is lacking but also charges well in nice sunny days. I love how sleek it is and my phone fits snugly in it. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone with an iPhone.

I purchased this solar charger before christmas for my girl friend as a christmas gift. It didn't arrive until late February. Once she got it, she used it a few times until the other day, she went to grab it after charging it over night and the thing had split into 2 pieces. There is some sort of silver bag that expanded enough to break it in 2. So you're telling me that after waiting for 3 months to get the item, it's only good for 2? Now I've emailed their customer service to try and get some answers and haven't received a response. It's been 2 weeks. I will NEVER buy another product from Novothink and you shouldn't either. No one deserves to be treated as poorly as we have.

Admittedly, I am a solar panel junkie! I have a house with panels, car with a panel, and now my phone has a solar panel. My phone always has power and even charges for free indoors in certain light situations. What an awesome product! I had been waiting for months to get one of these and it was worth the wait. Novothink, please, please make more products for other devices with solar panels. Its a cheap, eco-friendly way that makes sense. How about a laptop cover that has a panel built in? Apple iPod touch 8 GB (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

I bought this from another dealer, but I wanted to make sure people stayed away from this. Works as a rechargeable battery, but doesn't power from the sun with any useable power. Also it gets so hot that it has too cool down for a while before you can put your phone in it. Neat idea, but far from practical yet.