Customer reviews from bioliteenergy.com
BioLite - SolarPanel 5 - Black
Average customer rating
3.9
(112 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 112 reviews
5 Stars
70
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
9
1 Star
17
56%of customers recommend this product.
(
36 out of
64)
Customer Reviews for BioLite - SolarPanel 5 - Black
Customer Rating
5
7 days across Morocco on a Monkey bike
on April 13, 2018
Posted by: Anonymous
This kept my team charged as we raced across Morocco this month. I strapped it to the front of my bike and it had a full charge every evening, even after trickle charging a bit during the day. It even survived a wipe-out, it's beat up but is still charging away. Thanks for a solid product BioLight!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
4
Fun Tech that Works!
on March 18, 2018
Posted by: Anonymous
I enthusiastically bought my SolarPanel 5+ a couple years ago. Besides being frugal and a big energy saver in the home, I love being prepared while outside (where I go frequently). Two years later it is still working quite fine and it complements my now more rounded out Biolite collection by having potential to partially charge the CampStove 2 and the Base Lantern. However, I think the possible buyer should bear in mind that producing 5W is not a lot and a 2200mAh battery doesn't do much for many devices. To put it into perspective, you would need 200 of these units working in tandem (& properly aligned to the sun!) to run a standard microwave. Granted these units aren't meant for anything like that but I think that visual helps. Secondly, I think the SolarPanel 5+ was designed with its contemporary devices in mind. It probably works/worked well to charge the IPhone 4, etc. However, the full battery alone has never completely charged either of my Moto phones (Droid MAXX or Z2 Force). Rather, a full SolarPanel 5+ charge charges my Z2 Force about 50% when in airplane mode or 33% when not. The 5+ seems best used when already fully charged & positioned in full sun. Though I encourage buyers to consider my findings & the 10+ instead (this wasn't available when I bought mine 2 years ago), I do like this product a lot & recommend it to those interested. Be sure to take Biolite's advice to keep it cool (off of your dash) for max charging. Enjoy!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
Christmas Gift Purchase
on November 1, 2017
Posted by: Anonymous
This was bought as a Christmas Gift so have yet to give it to the recipient and cannot atest to how well it works yet. The solar panel 5+ came promptly and was packed well in a sturdy box. I purchased for someone who loves to camp off grid and I was happy to buy something that supports others and the environment.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
Let the Sunshine In
on October 29, 2017
Posted by: Anonymous
I got this solar panel when I joined the kickstarter campaign for the base lantern. I realize it doesn't have a battery and that it's only a solar panel and your description of the item clearly states that. I don't know what the other reviewer is talking about. She apparently doesn't either because to give it only one star is totally outrageous. Get a life Marlene....better yet call or write this company before "shaming" them? :-)
Keep up the great work your company is doing BIOLITE. I can't wait for that super cool fire pit.
Oh and that solar panel works perfectly fine but if you have a choice go for the battery included if that's what you want....either way BioLite definitely doesn't disappoint. Just look at their last kickstarter campaign if you have doubt.
Oh and that solar panel works perfectly fine but if you have a choice go for the battery included if that's what you want....either way BioLite definitely doesn't disappoint. Just look at their last kickstarter campaign if you have doubt.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
Really great product
on March 5, 2017
Posted by: Anonymous
I purchased the 5+ last Spring for a trip across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. Got back yesterday from another trip there. It had no issues charging my iPhone and iPad while living on both sailboats. Now I see there is a 10+ model too. Love this thing!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
Prepared Homebody
on March 5, 2017
Posted by: Staci
I bought this little 5-watt solar panel to charge my phone, small backup battery, and led lights in case of emergency. I don't do intense awesome adventuring like so many of Biolite's fans. I love how simple, light-weight, and functional this is! It's smaller than a piece of paper, the light on the back makes it clear whether you're getting enough sun to charge stuff, and all my USB-charger cables work just fine. It doesn't charge well thru my (dirty) windows, sadly, but I do feel much better prepared for emergencies now. Thanks for making stellar products, Biolite!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
A Gift
on February 7, 2017
Posted by: Jim L.
I received a BioLite Solar Panel 5+ as a Christmas gift. It is an item I didn't know I needed, since we are old people and don't do camping or cycling any longer. However we live on the 7th floor of a condo with a significant western/sun exposure, and I've always wanted to transfer that power into something more than loading up the air conditioner during summer.
I struggled a bit with learning the operation since the "quick start" instructions aren't very comprehensive, and when I found the on-line manual there were a couple of errors. And, after one cycle of charging the unit using sunshine then downloading that power to charging a Kindle device, the Solar Panel 5+ stopped functioning.
I phoned BioLite and spoke with representative Zach, who was very helpful. He handled the situation as a warranty claim and immediately e-mailed a shipping label. I packed up the panel, slapped on the label, and drove to FedEx office to ship it, free of charge to me. The next day BioLite authorized a replacement order which arrived by USPS four days later.
The new panel worked as designed and I already was pretty high on the learning curve. It has now been thru numerous charge/discharge cycles powering cell phones, Kindles, and GPS/watches. It's pretty cool, and I'm doing my little bit to save the planet.
I struggled a bit with learning the operation since the "quick start" instructions aren't very comprehensive, and when I found the on-line manual there were a couple of errors. And, after one cycle of charging the unit using sunshine then downloading that power to charging a Kindle device, the Solar Panel 5+ stopped functioning.
I phoned BioLite and spoke with representative Zach, who was very helpful. He handled the situation as a warranty claim and immediately e-mailed a shipping label. I packed up the panel, slapped on the label, and drove to FedEx office to ship it, free of charge to me. The next day BioLite authorized a replacement order which arrived by USPS four days later.
The new panel worked as designed and I already was pretty high on the learning curve. It has now been thru numerous charge/discharge cycles powering cell phones, Kindles, and GPS/watches. It's pretty cool, and I'm doing my little bit to save the planet.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
Extend the Day
on September 11, 2016
Posted by: C. Rob
I went to Cedar Point over Labor Day weekend with my friends to celebrate my 30th birthday. I hooked my SolarPanel 5+ onto my CamelBack to make use of standing in line in the sunshine. Taking photos and videos all morning, as well as GPS constantly running in the Cedar Point App, my iPhone battery was taking a hit. When we stopped for lunch at the saloon, I took my cable out of my pack, and plugged in. By the time I had finished half of my burger, my phone was completely charged, and the onboard battery of the SolarPanel 5+ still had 3/4 charge left. My friends got a quick charge for their phones as well, and we were once again on our way.
At 10:30 that night after riding the Giant (Ferris) Wheel, we tailgated with some snacks and drinks in the parking lot, waiting for traffic to clear on the peninsula causeway to head back to the mainland. The SolarPanel 5+ had fully recharged since lunch, and I took time to charge my phone again and post to Facebook about my day. I wouldn't have had the battery life to take the amazing photos of the park at night from the top of the Ferris wheel had it not been for the SolarPanel 5+.
Earlier in the morning, walking into the park, I'd heard another patron behind us comment, "Now that man is self-sufficient!" in reference to the SolarPanel 5+ on my back. In a line that evening, another Cedar Pointer asked where I got the device on my pack, and I proudly replied, "BioLiteEnergy.com!"
Thanks for helping us extend the day, BioLite!
At 10:30 that night after riding the Giant (Ferris) Wheel, we tailgated with some snacks and drinks in the parking lot, waiting for traffic to clear on the peninsula causeway to head back to the mainland. The SolarPanel 5+ had fully recharged since lunch, and I took time to charge my phone again and post to Facebook about my day. I wouldn't have had the battery life to take the amazing photos of the park at night from the top of the Ferris wheel had it not been for the SolarPanel 5+.
Earlier in the morning, walking into the park, I'd heard another patron behind us comment, "Now that man is self-sufficient!" in reference to the SolarPanel 5+ on my back. In a line that evening, another Cedar Pointer asked where I got the device on my pack, and I proudly replied, "BioLiteEnergy.com!"
Thanks for helping us extend the day, BioLite!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com