Item 10 - Solar Panel -The Baker’s Dozen of Outdoor Gear, Gadgets, and Gizmos from Worthless to Essential

Item 10 – Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Adventure kit Solar Panel                     

 SCORE 15                                                                                                                                                            MSRP: $159.99

http://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/79/Guide-10-Adventure-Kit/1:1/

The Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Adventure kit is a ultra-lightweight solar panel along with a USB charging system. Although it only came in 10th place I’d bring it with me again in a heartbeat. I have used other backpacking solar panels and they were a bust. This got low scores for a number of reasons.

• I didn't use it every day. When I did use it however it worked great.
  
• Although it is light weight, it is delicate. It must receive gentle care.
  
• It isn't essential to our safety. 

However I now know I can bring fewer alkaline batteries because this works so well. It charged my NiMh batteries that I used in my Steri-pen UV water purifier and they lasted the entire trip. It charged my Kindle reader in a short time and kept my GPS batteries charged without a problem. 

Although this item’s list price is high, with a little shopping around, you can find it for around $100. It is worth every penny and will pay for itself over time.

FINAL EVALUATION: Great! If you bring electrical gadgets this is a great addition.

To see item 11 click HERE
To see the evaluation criteria click HERE

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