The Adapters

When I used the USB adapter with the Solio and iPhone, the adapter unplugged from the proprietary cable by just a few millimeters. It took me about ten minutes to figure out where the fault was and why my phone wasn't charging. The Hybrid 1000 built-in plug seems too thin to fit the adapters, so you have to angle them into the port, instead of plugging them in straight through. This was not explained anywhere.

The USB adapter seems like it was poorly engineered. The exposed metal shell for receiving a USB cable should have been enclosed in plastic for another centimeter. The result is that as it is, the metal snags on clothing and could cut skin at its corners; it just seems unfinished. I'm not sure why Solio had to engineer a completely new connector, but that problem is fixed in their newest model, the Magnesium Edition. This uses iGo connectors, which do not suffer the same problems and iGo connectors are readily available at Radio Shack across the USA.

Compatibility

The Solio classic comes with a mini-USB and tips for Sony Ericsson, LG, Samsung, and Nokia phones. The USB Port Replicator tip powers iPods and iPhones, as well as a variety of digital cameras. The 3G iPhone is not supported yet, at the time I wrote this review. The Hybrid 1000 only comes with the USB Port Replicator tip, a Mini-USB tip that powers Motorola, Blackberry, Garmin, and iriver, and a Nokia tip.

Included Mini-USB Connector Tip
If the tip you need to charge your model phone isn't included, Solio sells other tips for $9.95 to $19.95 on their web site. They also offer a handy carrying case, called the TREAD case, made from recycled rubber tires for $24.95

Battery life

Solio says “About 60 minutes of sunlight can provide nearly 10 minutes of talk time or 4 hours of standby on most cell phones, although performance can vary.” It's unclear what are the real numbers, simply because devices have such varying power demands. Clearly, devices that use less volts and less milliamps (ma) are going to charge faster and last longer on solar power. In terms of iPods, the iPod Shuffle will charge faster than the iPod nano, which will charge faster than iPod classic. I'm unsure where iPod Touch lies in the hierarchy, because it has WIFI, Nike+, and the larger screen to power.

Grey Hybrid 1000 and White Classic Universal Hybrid Chargers
The Solio Classic is equipped with a rechargeable lithium ion 3.6V 1.65Ah battery. The nominal output is 3V at 2A, but by using a step-up regulator inside, the device provides 5V at well above the 500mA spec that the USB standard requires. This is a good thing, because it means devices charges slightly faster than when connected to a computer. Solio claims that the Classic and the Hybrid 1000 battery hold their charge for a year, but that remains untested for this review.

Conclusion

The Solio Classic and the Hybrid 1000 are fine products and work well, once you navigate how the plugs work. The battery life is good and it does the trick, especially if you need power in settings where the Sun is plentiful and an outlet is miles away. You get better results if you charge your device before it is completely depleted. My only negative experiences involved the poor documentation concerning the LED and its meanings, one loose cable connection, and unshielded connectors. I decided that both the Solio Universal Hybrid Chargers warrant a 4-star rating, but expect some initial frustration with setup.

Technical Specifications:

“A full Solio H1000 will charge a typical mobile phone once or give 10 hours of MP3 music - just 1 hour of sunshine = 14 minutes talk time or 40 minutes of MP3 music; depending on type of device and intensity of sunlight.”

1. Nominal DC Output: 3V 1.2A
2. Maximum Wattage: 3.6 Watts
3. Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Ion 3.7V 1A cell
4. DC Input: 5-6V 0.4Ah
5. Dimensions (LxHxW): 7.8 x 0.71 x 2.6 in. (198 x 68 x 18 mm)
6. Weight: 4.6 oz. (131g)
7. Temperature Range: -4F to 131F (-20C to 55C)

“A fully charged Solio Classic will charge a typical mobile phone more than twice or give over 20 hours of iPod music. Just 1 hour of sunshine = 20 minutes talk time or 50 minutes of MP3 music; depending on type of device and intensity of sunlight.”

1. Color: Gray or Orange
2. Nominal DC Output: 3V 2A
3. Maximum Wattage: 6 Watts
4. Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Ion 3.7V 1.65A cell
5. DC Input: 5-6V 0.4Ah
6. Dimensions (LxHxW): 4.72 x 1.34 x 2.56 in (120 x 34 x 63.5 mm
7. Weight: 5.6 oz. (156g)
8. Temperature Range: -4F to 131F (-20C to 55C)