I picked one up last time. The batteries themselves are decent, but the solar panel is weak. In full sunlight at mid-day it won't charge my Samsung S5. I like it for a rechargable AA option, but not quite powerful enough for me.
Hey, what is the likelihood that meh could get a good deal on eneloop batteries? I need like 4 more AA and AAA but not bad enough to pay what they currently go for.
@stoopkid I have an unnatural affinity for usb battery packs, solar panels, and flashlights, yet I still don't want this.
2000mAh capacity @3V means it won't even give my phone a full charge, and if you're lucky on a good sunny day the solar panels might charge the AAs completely if it sits out all day.
I might want it in a post-apocalyptic world, but I'm betting that the time that I'll need this won't happen anytime soon.
@djslack Thanks for this info. I too have that unnatural affinity that my husband calls obsession for all three things.( flashlights ALL over my house). I've been looking and looking any time I see a solar panel charger but haven't found one with a price that wouldn't leave me feeling too guilty. This was a good price at least to get one. I want two, one for camping and one, please don't laugh, for an emergency bug out bag I'm fixing up. Sigh, I guess I'll either be patient or just go ahead and buy a more expensive one and feel guilty for a bit. Kinda tired of buying stuff and not getting what I paid for..and I don't mean on this site. So thanks for saving me some dough!
Oh yeah, Well I've already got enough solar panels and UPSs to make my own Bartertown. With blackjack, and hookers. As a matter of fact, forget the town and the blackjack.
I was just over on Amazon looking at the range of Solar Chargers they have- only one of which had a decent # of 5 stars ratings: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NGJK6NI?psc=1 with 19 5- star ratings and only 5% 2-star ratings- now on my wish list.
Nice concept (Replaceable AA batteries) but it needs a larger solar panel. It takes 15 HOURS (e.g. about 3 days at 5 hours a day) to charge, and then can only charge a USB device for 1 hour 20 min at 0.5 ams? MEH.
I could see buying one as a backup emergency flashlight for around $8....But as a USB charger.....nope.
Well, the one good thing about this meh is that it gives us a reason to post on the site, and talk about how yucky this thing is. Skipping this, but I sure hope that doesn't trigger the "pop-a-lips"!!
I bought one last time and it works well for my purpose. I use it as a light in my shade tent at music festivals. Just put it on top and when it's night and I want some light I turn it on and put it back on top, the dim setting is just enough to prevent drunks from falling over the tent without being annoying, and the bright is enough to find a beer or shove all my crap back in at the end of the night and zip up. I did not use the charging feature. It made it through a brief rain shower and still works, but I did throw a fly over the tent before it really came down.
I have a little solar charger that I bought somewhere else for way too much money, but it doesn't charge batteries, and the light is puny compared to this one.
So, I bought three of these (didn't even read any comments, just had ideas in my head) .. and I'm kind of thinking maybe I can rejigger it so that all three of them are able to work together to charge the two or four of the batteries.. not sure if that's a valid idea. something to play with. Also, if I could add a Qi pad to it, I wonder if I'd get enough juice to be able to do that.
Specs
Condition: New
Warranty: 90 Day Panasonic
Estimated Delivery: 8/11 - 8/14
Shipping: $5 or free with VMP
What’s in the Box?
1x Solar panel charging unit
2x Eneloop 1500 cycle AA rechargeable Ni-MH batteries
1x USB to Micro USB cable
1x Instructions
Pictures
Retail box
Hand for scale
Where the batteries go
Lights
If you HAD bought this thing…
Price Comparison
$89.99 List, $35.00 at Amazon
Find a relevant price comparison? Please share it in a comment in this thread
Warranty
90 days
previously on meh for $6 more only 6 weeks ago
2015-06-17 Panasonic SolarSmart Portable Solar Power $24
It was 24 B4
still not impressed
Lawful impulsive government
@eblade
this sounds great but... when would I ever use it?
@boygenius1991 put it on the dash of your car to charge, then leave it in your car as an emergency light.
@boygenius1991 After the apocalypse, duh!
@boygenius1991 I'm thinking of getting one for camping trips. Only real use I can think of for it.
Meh2!!!
I bit, in for 2....
swear it first said $8 - which is about right, but not a deal, then 'corrected' to $18. Or am I just sleep deprived?
@prof sleep deprived.
@prof Obviously insane. Wait, that wasn't a choice?
what's the amperage on the 2 aa batteries?
@username USB output power: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes, 5V at 500mA
@username Cheated and copied post from last time: "From the manual, "HR-3UTGA" Eneloops. That would be 2,000mAh-rated for each AA."
@RedOak thanks
Bought this on meh 6 weeks ago. Sucks won't charge my iPhone. Not worth it! The light works.. But I own a flashlight. Waste of money. P.o.s.
@mara0042 email meh.com/support
@communist That's not an email address ;)
what. Just bring a few power packs.
@thechinglish You can use them to power lights to charge this?
@editorkid It's that infinite loop thing again.
I picked one up last time. The batteries themselves are decent, but the solar panel is weak. In full sunlight at mid-day it won't charge my Samsung S5. I like it for a rechargable AA option, but not quite powerful enough for me.
@Wookee same. Also they emit a really high pitched ringing sound when they are charging and I can't deal with it.
It's definitely not free of charge!
I want to want this but I don't want this.
Hey, what is the likelihood that meh could get a good deal on eneloop batteries? I need like 4 more AA and AAA but not bad enough to pay what they currently go for.
@stoopkid I have an unnatural affinity for usb battery packs, solar panels, and flashlights, yet I still don't want this.
2000mAh capacity @3V means it won't even give my phone a full charge, and if you're lucky on a good sunny day the solar panels might charge the AAs completely if it sits out all day.
I might want it in a post-apocalyptic world, but I'm betting that the time that I'll need this won't happen anytime soon.
@djslack Thanks for this info. I too have that unnatural affinity that my husband calls obsession for all three things.( flashlights ALL over my house). I've been looking and looking any time I see a solar panel charger but haven't found one with a price that wouldn't leave me feeling too guilty. This was a good price at least to get one. I want two, one for camping and one, please don't laugh, for an emergency bug out bag I'm fixing up. Sigh, I guess I'll either be patient or just go ahead and buy a more expensive one and feel guilty for a bit. Kinda tired of buying stuff and not getting what I paid for..and I don't mean on this site. So thanks for saving me some dough!
Oh yeah, Well I've already got enough solar panels and UPSs to make my own Bartertown. With blackjack, and hookers. As a matter of fact, forget the town and the blackjack.
@uwacn Can I come live in your town after the apocalypse? I'll pay rent in condoms.
I just bought 72 of these things [batteries] powered by CHEMISTRY. Why would I want two that have to be trickled charged by the Sun?
Chemistry is here, Jack. The sun is eight light-minutes away. Plus 72 > 2. QED. Or something.
Meh.
Man, these comments saved me $18.
I was just over on Amazon looking at the range of Solar Chargers they have- only one of which had a decent # of 5 stars ratings: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NGJK6NI?psc=1 with 19 5- star ratings and only 5% 2-star ratings- now on my wish list.
Take notes Meh!
What I have for my NiMH AA and AAA batteries is this: http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Technology-Battery-Charger/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=pd_sim_sbs_107_42?ie=UTF8&refRID=19W4V69QEGPRZV91RH2W- it's awesome because it actually does a decent job of testing and then refreshing my older batteries, It just takes longer when doing so.
@PhysAssist But that's not even a solar charger, just a battery...
@HotDogFatality - Star is for your name.
@HotDogFatality Actually it's a battery charger and I believe this is the word for which you're searching: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_sequitur_(literary_device)
@PhysAssist I was referring to your first link, not the battery charger.
@HotDogFatality Wups- who's a moron? I'm a moron... Sorry.
Damn Amazon, sneaking that into my search, no wonder I HATE their search engine...
This will be handy the next time I need to hang off a bridge
@PenguinOnTheRox Speaking of Non Sequiturs....
Nice concept (Replaceable AA batteries) but it needs a larger solar panel. It takes 15 HOURS (e.g. about 3 days at 5 hours a day) to charge, and then can only charge a USB device for 1 hour 20 min at 0.5 ams? MEH.
I could see buying one as a backup emergency flashlight for around $8....But as a USB charger.....nope.
@summetj You are correct Sir! [or Ma'am!]...
Wish I read these comments before I bought this, oh well. I'm taking this little sucker to the park anyway, it'll be grime-covered soon enough.
Grime covered? Not if you bought your packs of Grime Boss Cleaning Wipes!
Well, the one good thing about this meh is that it gives us a reason to post on the site, and talk about how yucky this thing is. Skipping this, but I sure hope that doesn't trigger the "pop-a-lips"!!
Bought one last time. Doesn't stay on for more than a second or two no matter how much sun it gets.
@iphegenia Try new rechargeable batteries in it. If it is really old stock they may not be any good.
I would be on the fence about buying this if it were $4.
Super overpriced.
I got it last time, it works... not as good as I'd hope... But, I do like it. I'd prefer just the batteries meh. :)
sinkable-abrasive-salad
How long would 3 of these take to charge up my powerwall?
@PWiddy And also, will Meh get a deal on a powerwall anytime soon?
I bought one last time and it works well for my purpose. I use it as a light in my shade tent at music festivals. Just put it on top and when it's night and I want some light I turn it on and put it back on top, the dim setting is just enough to prevent drunks from falling over the tent without being annoying, and the bright is enough to find a beer or shove all my crap back in at the end of the night and zip up. I did not use the charging feature. It made it through a brief rain shower and still works, but I did throw a fly over the tent before it really came down.
I like this sale because it reminded me how happy I was to purchase the lightbox. Looking forward to getting that tomorrow.
I had to buy one just to change my credit card info on this site. Canceled the order right after, but how stupid is that?
I'm a sucker for solar, so I bought three.
I have a little solar charger that I bought somewhere else for way too much money, but it doesn't charge batteries, and the light is puny compared to this one.
So, I bought three of these (didn't even read any comments, just had ideas in my head) .. and I'm kind of thinking maybe I can rejigger it so that all three of them are able to work together to charge the two or four of the batteries.. not sure if that's a valid idea. something to play with. Also, if I could add a Qi pad to it, I wonder if I'd get enough juice to be able to do that.
Mine only came with one AA battery. Maybe 2 is the average shipped per unit?
(if you got 3, fess up! :-)
Panasonic America has simply taken care of it. +1. BTW their infrared light toaster oven NB-G110P is the best I've ever owned.