Hands on with the Solio Portable Hybrid Solar Charger for Mobile Devices

As someone who owns probably way too many mobile gadgets, it is nice to have a charger around when there isn't an outlet or USB port available.

I managed to get my hands on the Solio Classic, a Portable Hybrid Solar Charger, and could help but think that it was about time someone invented a solar charger for mobile devices.

The box was thankfully easy to open, unlike other gadgets that I have encountered. The main unit is an odd little device that opens up like a fan into something that looks like a fan blade. I realize that sounds a little odd, but like how the Solio Classic opens up like some sort of ninja weapon. I'm tempted to throw it across the room like a shuriken.

The Solio classic also came with a great assortment of tips for whatever your pleasure is. For example, it had a tip for Samsung, Nokia, Mini USB, Sony Ericsson, LG, and a female USB. I believe more tips are available, and I should probably let it be known that I have a Samsung phone from Verizon that the Samsung tip did not work for.

As for charging it, I opted first for the option to use the AC cord. According to the instructions, which had absolutely no words, the Solio Classic takes about six hours to charge fully. I left it over night, and did a little charging of my iPod in the morning. I definitely call that a successful test, for sure. By the way, if you're outside of the United States, you can use the AC adapters for EU, the United Kingdom, or Australia.

As for what it was intended for, the solar powered mode, I believe to fully charge the Solio would take 8-10 hours, multiplied by 2 days. At least, that is what the wordless instructions say. Apparently, it takes longer in inclement weather, and probably even longer under artificial light, I imagine.

Still, if you have a windowsill or other place in your house that gets a lot of sun, I would highly recommend sticking a Solio Classic there. In fact, the device comes with a little suction cup to hold it in one place. I don't recommend using the suction device to attach the Solio there, because I have doubts whether it would hold. They are the same doubts I have about the durability of the Solio classic.

In short, I would recommend the Solio as something to keep for emergencies, and always give it plenty of sun. I believe that we're probably going to see a lot more devices like it.