Thursday, January 11, 2018

Goal Zero Nomad 20 Portable Solar Panel Review




This 20-watt solar panel is the largest in Goal Zero’s range of portable solar panels and is made with a tri-fold design which enables it to stand by itself. It can also be propped up against a rock or a tree to get the best angle to the sun. It also comes with handy loops around the edges which allow you to hang it from a tree or your tent, or connect to your backpack’s daisy chains.


With a mesh zipper pocket for cables on the rear of the device, and a magnetic clasp to hold the panels tightly together, this product was made for casual backpacking. At almost 2.5 pounds in weight, it might be tough to decide whether or not it makes the cut on longer hikes.


Goal Zero Nomad 20 makes use of mono-crystalline solar pump technology to make their panels more efficient. It is made from single silicon crystals and increases the lifespan of the panels to anything between 10-30 years, depending on the use. It also delivers a higher wattage per square foot, and performs well in both ideal and low light conditions.


The intelligent charging junction box comes with chaining ports which make it a breeze to add (or daisy chain) more panels for increased solar power collection.





What can it be used for?




With its built-in junction box and smart-charging chip, you can use this panel to directly charge handheld devices. It comes with 4 different ports. By using the USB, 12V, Chain in, or Guide 10 port you can power up your devices directly. You can also use this panel to recharge a solar generator like the Yeti 150 solar generator or the Sherpa 100 portable power pack.


The USB port allows you to charge phones, GPS, tablets, radios, headlamps, MP3 players and any other device that can charge via USB. With the 12V port, you can charge the Goal Zero Sherpa and Extreme 350 battery packs, and the Guide 10 port allows you to charge the nifty Guide 10 Plus power pack.