The Goal Zero Sherpa 100 Solar Kit is a portable solar charging outfit capable of recharging tablets , SLR tv camera batteries , or even your laptop using only power from the Sunday . We ’ve put it to the test everywhere from Iceland to Nepal .
What It ’s Supposed to Do ? TheGoal Zero Sherpa 100 Solar Kit($599 ) is designed to put up renewable , portable power , wherever you go , in a outfit that ’s ( comparatively ) lightweight ( 5 lb ) , compact , and easy to employ .
The kit include the Sherpa 100 Power Pack , the Nomad 20 solar panel , and an AC inverter . The Nomad 20 solar board is designed to recharge the Sherpa 100 major power pack in 10 - 20 hours , depending on sunshine . Alternately , the Sherpa 100 power inner circle will reload in three hours when punch into an AC outlet . you may also recharge it from your car .
The Sherpa 100 can reload gadget through two high - speeding USB larboard , a dedicated laptop port , or the AC adapter . Devices recharge in the same metre as if they were plugged into a wall outlet .
The Sherpa 100 is twice as knock-down as the Sherpa 50 , yet it is nearly identical in sizing and free weight . Check the chart below to see the number of times the Sherpa 100 will reload a finical twist .
How It ’s Supposed To Do It?According to Goal Zero , the Sherpa 100 can deliver 120 watts of output , which is more than any other like pack . It was engineered using in high spirits - tone , brand name LG Chem Li - NMC cell — the same brand used in some electric railway car — to provide long - last life .
http://www.goalzero.com/solarlife/2024-12-21/the-sherpa-100-thoughts-from-an-engineer/
The AC inverter allows user to charge eminent capacity SLR camera battery or laptops , which also distinguishes it from other free-enterprise power pack and makes the Sherpa 100 an idealistic off - the - grid power solution for on - the - go content Jehovah .
Knowing that customers would often be using the Sherpa 100 in the context of escapade , they reinforced the charge plate casing in sure areas to see durability if shake off , while at the same time keep the gadget ’s slim profile .
While the Sherpa 100 can be recharged in 10 - 20 hour with the included Nomad 20 solar gore , Goal Zero recommends daisy chain two Nomad 20s together for maximum bill execution .
Photo byDaniel Bruce Lee .
How Does It Perform ? We used the Sherpa 100 Solar Kit throughout our change of location in Norway , Iceland , and Nepal . It was always cloudy and rainy in Iceland , and we usually were n’t too far from electricty , so the Sherpa 100 was n’t that useful there . It did however provide world power for my laptop on farseeing bus ride between city .
The real test amount while trekking and go up in Nepal , where approach to electrical energy was either very expensive , or not available at all .
Charging : We charge the Sherpa 100 power face pack using the Nomad 20 solar control board during both trekking , and while stationary at our climbing lodge . The latter of the two was far more effective .
After more than a week of trek from aurora to sunset with the Sherpa 100 strapped to the exterior of my expedition pack , it did not institutionalize to 100 % . That was most probable due to the lack of photo to direct sunlight while below the treeline . Even once we get above the treeline , we were still ineffectual to get much of a charge during trekking . Because we were perpetually moving during daylight hours , there were not good opportunities to maintain the control board in a lieu of unmediated sunshine for maximum effectuality .
While stationary at the climbing society , however , we had much good luck . Mostly . With direct exposure to sunlight , the Sherpa 100 strain full charge from 40 % in the better part of a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Once at 100 % , we simultaneously charge a yoke of 2600 mAh , 18.7 Wh Wasabi Power Canon 5D Mk II battery using the inverter while the Sherpa 100 was still recharging from the Dominicus without it dipping below 100 % . weather at the lodge were perfectly ideal for solar charging : high elevation , exonerated skies , and entire day of direct sunlight .
From 100 % , we were capable to charge two 5D Mk II batteries , three Olympus OM - D E - M1 batteries ( more or less less Wh ) , the InReach Explorer , and my Nokia Lumia 928 before totally enfeeble the Sherpa 100 .
We set up the outfit the next morning to recharge , but after an full day of unmediated sunshine , it never reached 20 % . One more day , same thing . Never reached 20 % , accord to the LCD indicator . luckily , all of our batteries were charge up by that point ; we were ready to photograph ourclimb of Imja Tse .
What It feel Like To cast , Just After Summiting A 20,000′ eyeshade
After returning from the climbing , we once again set the kit up ; it fully charged in direct sunlight . I have no idea why it was not level during those two perfectly idealistic years – but before and after it has work as specified .
One notable feature of speech of the Goal Zero production family is the power to daisy strand panels and rechargers together . We carried the Guide 10 outfit ( a much smaller outfit designed for recharge mobile phones and GoPro cameras ) and when not in function , we were able to daisy chain that panel to the Sherpa 100 to furnish a little bump in charging power .
Features : The Sherpa 100 feature a potpourri of color and shape - dupe charging ports : ( 2 ) USB , 12V , Universal Laptop , and 120V AC using the included inverter . While the inclusion of the laptop charging port is a great idea , neither Microsoft nor Apple license out their charge cable television service to third party — so if you want to accuse your Surface or MacBook , you ’ll still have to carry around it ’s dedicated overseas telegram and charge the equipment using the Sherpa 100 ’s inverter . Not a dealbreaker , because I already carry that cable television , but it contravene the ability to point your calculator and SLR barrage fire simultaneously .
Design : The Sherpa 100 apply a playfully futuristic industrial design . It does n’t take itself as badly as the PS4 or Xbox One , instead it can be most likened to a custom design PC case . It has fill out edges , a two - whole step color system , and colorful , geometrically shaped light - up port . ( Pro tip : For those who are bothered by the colour lights at dark , you could in reality incapacitate them through a series of button printing press . exhort the great power release three times , then hold it down on the 4th time until the Christ Within go off . ) A pocket-size LCD projection screen with a bombardment - influence indicator broken into fifth indicates the Sherpa 100 ’s direction state .
The Nomad 20 solar panel utilise a trifold blueprint , allowing it to stand on its own . It can be prop up up against the Sherpa , John Rock , Tree , etc to accomplish the most direct angle to the Dominicus . It features iteration around the entire perimeter , allowing users to hang it from trees , on tents , or from daisy chains on a pack . They are jolly various . to boot , there is a mesh zipper pouch on the back for stash away cables , as well as the Sherpa itself ( Goal Zero does n’t urge charging the Sherpa 100 from inside the repositing pouch however ) .
Adventure Ready ? With the exclusion of those two trematode worm recharging days , the Sherpa 100 solar kit perform exactly as forebode . I was able-bodied to recharge my SLR tv camera electric battery and the Surface using only power from the sunshine .
The more crucial question is , do you really demand the Sherpa 100 ? frankly , I did not . I spent 23 days off - the - grid while trekking and go up in Nepal . I carried nine batteries for my 5D. I used a sum of 13 batteries on the trip — shoot both photos and picture everyday ; often in cold weather condition . Due to the nature of my escapade ( a “ teahouse climbing ” of one of Nepal ’s more accessible peaks ) I could have accessed electrical energy , though at a steep price of up to $ 5 per shelling charge . While in the Himalayas , I chiefly used my calculator for memory card dumps . I did edit photos on website , but my connectivity was limited , so it was n’t completely necessary because I was n’t able-bodied to share message until I got back on the grid . carry five additional television camera batteries and a duad of excess memory circuit card instead of the Sherpa 100 would have been chintzy from both a cost and weight perspective .
However , had I ventured off to one of Nepal ’s more distant peaks , and was go to be expend weeks or months at base camp , the Sherpa 100 would have been invaluable to my power to create content from the field .
photo : Chris Brinlee , Jr.
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