Customer reviews from goalzero.com
GOAL ZERO - Yeti 1250 1500W/1200W Portable Solar Generator Kit
Average customer rating
4.4
(84 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 84 reviews
5 Stars
49
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Star
3
94%of customers recommend this product.
(
77 out of
82)
Customer Reviews for GOAL ZERO - Yeti 1250 1500W/1200W Portable Solar Generator Kit
Customer Rating
5
Jump started my Jeep J8 Battery
on May 16, 2012
Posted by: Matthew Scott
from Arizona
Verified Purchase:No
I was a bit sceptical at first when the fine ladies and gentleman at Goal Zero described the Yeti 1250 to me as a Solar Generator. A unit that could legitimately replace household power in the field for a substantial amount of time, without using any gasoline, and be completely self-sufficient by having the capability to be charged 100% by solar energy. It was a pretty big claim, so clearly it needed a challenge to match it.After a long day on the trail, I pulled into one of my favorite camp spots, and began to set up camp for the night. Based on my previous experience with the vehicle, I knew there was absolutely no way that the jeep battery would hold a charge overnight, and waking up in the early morning and messing around with electrical wiring didn't sound too appealing. My solution was simple, plug one end of the charger into the power poles located on the rear bumper, and the other end into the Yeti, have a beer, eat a sandwich, and watch The Beatles' Help! on my Macbook Pro(while it was being charged by the AC power of the Yeti of course.) I'd find out in the morning if my crazy scheme would work and save me the distress of getting out into the cold to figure out a better plan.There's absolutely no way you could do this with a traditional generator, as you'd die of CO poisoning while it was running inside the small cabin of the Jeep you are sleeping in. It raises an interesting, and practical point about the green factor that this device has, it doesn't produce any emissions, and if you're charging it via solar energy, it doesn't require any emissions to replenish the battery. Think of the inside of this vehicle as a micro-environment, I'm living in it, right alongside the Yeti, and we're both happy.Check out my whole experience and images here:http://www.expeditionportal.com/expedition-gear/accessories/1092-goal-zero-yeti-1250-dump-the-gas-generator.html
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from goalzero.comBy Goal Zero, March 9, 2014
Amazing, thanks for sharing.
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
5
Yeti 1250 Does Its Job
on August 13, 2013
Posted by: Anonymous
from Plano, TX
The Yeti 1250 is a nicely integrated unit. With a 100 Ah battery, it provided enough power to run our large refrigerator 12h, our freezer 12h, and other items computer, TV, etc. for a significant time. The 2-60W solar panels included are great for topping off the charge on a daily basis. If running a refrigerator or freezer, I suggest adding a solar panel in the 200W range to help keep up with the drain if you need to run it more than a few hours. It would be nice if the input sockets did not use diodes internally, and if all of the connectors were Anderson Power Pole type instead of just the two on the system. Overall, a well-designed, great item for power outage situations, and for running other equipment, e.g., ham radio gear, TV, computers, etc., regularly.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent not just for camping but overall safety
on April 16, 2014
Posted by: LTCTorres
from Fairfax Station, VA, United States
Gender:Male
We bought the Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator kit for both camping and overall safety when we loose power in the house. We have lost power twice for 24 hours and the generator worked perfectly giving power to the fridge, sump pump, lights, computers, phones, etc.....we felt secure without paying for one of those gas generators that are so noisy. No one even knew we had a generator except for the lights that were on at night.....
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
5
Goal Zero Yeti 1250
on April 17, 2014
Posted by: Michaeltx
from Texas, United States
Gender:Male
I have had my Yeti 1250 for nearly a year now. I sell products at various farmers markets and need to keep my product cool. I have the solar generator installed in my truck with two Boulder 30 solar panels. It runs a refrigerator continuously. It also runs a heater, fans and other items as needed. I would recommend this product to anyone requiring an external power source that portable and can provide power for a wide variety needs.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
5
Yeti 1250 Absolutely Dependable
on August 14, 2013
Posted by: Cabinator
from Orem, UT
We use our Yeti 1250 as a power source for our small cabin. It runs a water pump, lights, and small appliances. We also use it to recharge phones, ipads, and ipods. It is quiet, safe, totally dependable, and easy to use. Without recharging, it will easily last a whole weekend. When we stay longer, we just hook up the solar panels for continuous input. A much nicer option than our gas generator. It is small enough to pack up and just take with us wherever we go.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Posted by: Anonymous
from Harare, Zimbabwe
Verified Purchase:Yes
I use the Yeti 1250 in our home in Zimbabwe.. The USG provides us a diesel generator to use when the spotty power grid cuts out, but I'd rather not pollute when I'm just running a crock pot and internet router. The Yeti sits in our kitchen to provide power to our kitchen appliances, iOS charging station, and network extender. The Yeti was my go-to plan when I heard the grid was as dodgy as it was in Nepal; even though it's better, it's still my plan, as the power can be out for up to 24 hours here. It's great as the LCD gives me live reporting of how many watts I'm getting from the boulder panels (2 panels), typically 20-40 watts in full sun, and also what my appliances draw. Apple Time Capsule: 20-25 watts. Rice Cooker: 400+ watts (have to figure out a better solution there). Kitchen aid mixer 20-60 watts (depending on speed). There are a few downsides to the product, most of which are solvable. 1. There is no included 8mm extension cable; the 6' cables exiting from the boulder panels (which are chainable, awesome!) are too short to place the panels on the roof (just one story up, and perfectly pitched) and put the Yeti on the kitchen counter inside. I'm ordering a couple 30' extension cables to fix this. At the current price-point, one would think the up-sell opportunities are there. 2. There is no 200v output! What? EVERY GZ inverter so far has had a dip switch for converting this, so I'm amazed there is not the option. I'm going to try out a local cigarette lighter ("car power" in the parlance of our times) 12v - 220v inverter and see if that works. Otherwise there is no way to power our 220v refrigerator 3. There is a 6 month warranty. Seriously? I bought this in the private pre-sale earlier in 2012, and I am just now getting this up and running, it having been delivered in our effects to post in November. My six months are long gone. Not that was that worried; this product is in the core of GZ's focus and everything else I've had* has been top notch quality. 4. Lead acid, definitely traditional and will be interesting to replace. I look forward to working with GZ on reclamation and replacement of the battery in 3-5 years. 5. The handles for the yeti (the dolly handles) are not collapsable. I removed them after placing it and put them in the pantry. When we take this on Safari, I'll just leave it in the vehicle. My bottom line: for globe trotters in long term assignments abroad with dodgy power grids (actually not that uncommon), this is a real asset. *Includes Escape 350 batteries, Escape 30w briefcase panels, Sherpa 120 power pack, Escape 150w jug, light-a-life lights, 400w inverter, sherpa inverter, fold-up 27w panel, fold-up 3.5w panel, fold-up 7w panel, guide10 and guide 10plus, boulder 15 panel..
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
4
Great out of the box setup
on April 16, 2014
Posted by: MrMiyagi
from West Chester, OH
Gender:Male
I bought the Yeti pack with 4 boulder 30 panels, tripod and three LED lights. The package is best for someone who wants solar right out of the box without needing much learning. However, you do pay a good amount more for it than building your own. But, in all honesty, goal zero makes an awesome, sturdy and aesthetically pleasing product which is worth the money. Additionally, I had one of my LED lights break. Goal zero replaced it at no cost! Awesome customer service!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
5
Works great!
on May 22, 2013
Posted by: Pookie Bear
from Kapolei, Hawaii
The Yeti 1250 works great. Used it indoors to power my HDTV, Blu-ray player, speakers, and eight Light-A-Life's for four hours and there was still over half the battery life left. Also used it outdoors for camping and to power up various electronic equipment for a band. Worked like a charm. The only issue I have with it is its weight.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com