Solio Magnesium Edition Charger - Universal Solar Charger Review
Solio Magnesium Edition Charger
Thanks to the award winning high-tech Solio solar powered charger you can pretty much go wherever you want with the peace of mind that, (short of the sun not rising in the morning), you will be able to power your favorite electronic gadget anywhere on-the-go. This universal solar charger uses the power of sun light to charge your electronics like MP3 players, laptops, cell phones and any other gadget you may have.
Solio Magnesium Charger in Use
The Solio Magnesium charger works in the same way as its predecessor, (now renamed the Solio Classic Universal Hybrid Charger). You simply fold out the three “leaf like” solar panels and the internal battery will then juice-up your gadgets with free, green, solar electricity.
I have the old Solio Classic which I love, but with long-term use it does scratch up a bit. In comparison, the new magnesium-alloy body, (designed to withstand dampness but not full-on rain or a dunking), does seem immune to scratches. Plus, unlike the original Solio version, this charger comes in a drawstring hemp pouch, which to me is a plus.
It’s always a good idea to keep gadgets safe and secure because the longer a gadget lasts, the more green it truly is!
Charging With the Solio Magnesium Charger
To charge a device with the Solio Magnesium, just plug it in and push the button on the back, it’s that simple.
If your gadgets won’t charge via the mini USB port or the included full size female USB adapter, you have a few options. You can either buy specific tips from Solio for about $10 each, (a coupon for a free one is included in the box), or you can use the included iGo adapter and your own iGo tips, (available for around $10 at RadioShack and other locations).
Cool Design Touches
Another cool design touch, (in both the Magnesium and Hybrid), is the hole in Solio’s pivot, which allows you to prop the Solio up to face the sun when you need to juice up. They even provide you with a pencil in the packaging for the “propping”. It’s a small feature, but one that competitors are missing.
The “energy gauge” LED light on the Magnesium tells you approximately how much juice you have left by the number of times the gauge button flashes, (four flashes indicates a full charge; three flashes, about 75 percent; two flashes, 50 percent; and one flash, 25 percent), a feature I have found to be really useful.
With a price tag of $149.00 in comparison to the Solio Classic whose price tag is $99.95, it’s a bit of a jump. However, I feel with the added durability, LED light feature, and the eco-hemp pouch, (my favorite), amongst other great features, it’s a great value. When you consider how much use you will get out of the Solio Magnesium, the money you’ll be saving by harnessing free solar energy and the simple fact that you are reducing your carbon footprint, it’s all worth the price tag to me. However, if you don’t need the latest and greatest version, then the original Solio is a great way to go solar.
Solio Review Summary
Pro
- It’s free solar electrical power!
- Beautifully designed and well built.
- Simple to use and AC power is always an option.
- Comes will all kinds of adapters (including iGo), a hemp bag, and a pencil.
- Single push button and LEDs do everything with simple ease.
- Attention to ethical and eco details.
- Rugged casing great for travel.
- All-in-one design.
- Expandable compatibility via iGo tips.
Con
- For non-USB devices it requires adapter tips, some included (Nokia, Blackberry, etc), some sold separately.
- Charge indicator light can be difficult to see when charging the unit, but that may just be me.
- Performance times may vary slightly depending on type of device and intensity of sunlight.
Where to Buy Solio Magnesium Charger
The Solio Magnesium Solar Charger is available from $115.00 at Amazon.com.