Powerfilm solar AA battery charger review

Gadgets

Written by Danny Penman

Over the year’s I’ve tested out just about every solar panel known to man and the Powerfilm is the one to beat. It can only be described as superb. It was thoroughly tested during a 150-mile backpacking trip along England’s south west coast path and it never missed a beat. It effortlessly charged up four AA batteries each day, which was enough to keep my GPS and iPhone ticking over nicely.

The great thing about the panel is that it’s flexible and has brass eyelets on each corner (it also only weighs about 160 grammes including batteries). This allowed me to lash it to the back of my rucksack. It took a huge battering but always worked a treat. At one stage I was in thick mist on the edge of Exmoor and the panel was still charging the batteries (it’s little red LED gently blinking away to let me know it was still working). It’s supposedly weatherproof too (but I never risked it when it was raining).

The makers, Powerfilm Solar, also produce a range of other flexible panels ranging from ones incorporating a USB port for charging phones etc through to massive panels designed to be attached to houses, motor homes and tents.

The AA battery charger I tested costs around £70 ($100)

Ultralight backpacking along the south west coast path

OMM Jirishanca 35 litre rucksack

Vaude Power Lizard Ultralight tent

Rab Drillium eVent Trousers

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