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Review on 🌞 Renogy Portable E.Flex Monocrystalline 5W Plus Solar Panel: Efficient Charging on the Go for Hiking and Biking with USB Port by Samantha Cortez

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Good charger for base camp, not so good on the trail. (5W version). UPDATED.

I have taken this charger on 3 trips and 2 backpacking trips. I usually use this solar charger. On my phone, the screen lights up every time the charger is plugged in or unplugged, which happens when I'm moving from sun to shade or back while walking on a path. This drains my phone even faster than if I just left the screen off. With a battery pack, that's not a problem. When I arrive at camp I usually plug my phone straight into the panel, assuming the sun is still shining and there are no trees. The 5w version (with battery) is good for charging a phone on the go and good camping heaven indefinitely, 2-3 phones if you have a permanent spot to point it in the sun all day. I used it in light rain and on a kayak, the panel got wet but not the charging port. Didn't break and didn't reduce performance. The charging power is reduced in light cloudy weather and may stop in heavy dark cloudy weather. The charger stopped working during the 2017 total solar eclipse. EDIT 7/11/2021: I've taken it on MANY trips since buying it. but during a long bike ride the pan suddenly stopped working. I don't think it was during the rain, probably an accident. When I got home and looked VERY closely, I noticed VERY tiny tears in many of the strips. I've never been very gentle with the panel, but it seems like the flex is what she really doesn't like. It's not the panel's fault, it's designed for light weight, not impact resistance. So suck. But even after a few years of use, it doesn't look like I'll choose another panel instead. I'll probably buy another one. "The only thing I want to change about this panel is to rotate the USB port so it faces under the panel. This makes it easier to keep the connectors dry if they get wet. I had very heavy rain that destroyed the battery even if the plate kept kicking. I didn't pay for this review, but if Renogy is listening I won't stop you from sending me free stuff.

Pros
  • Great price
Cons
  • Big and bulky