Don't try charging a Kindle 3 with this battery pack. I connected it to my Kindle and shortly there was smoke from the Guide 10. It's dead now. There should be some current limiting built into the unit (other than just burning up). Energizer 2500 mah nickel metal hydride batteries used.Later that same day: Goal Zero offered a free replacement when I contacted them about getting the unit repaired. Hard to beat that kind of customer service.
I have used it just a little so far to verify the ability to charge the high drain iPad.
Overall a solid system and while I don't like having to buy two separate chargers, I am glad for the ability to recharge 8 batteries at once with the Nomad 7.
Pros:
1.0 amp recharge ability.
included batteries are low discharge 2300mah type. Good cells.
can charge in addition to the regular guide 10 on one panel.
Cons:
shouldn't have to buy this as a separate unit.
Hope that helps.
Buy Goal Zero 11406 Guide 10 Plus Silver Battery Pack Now
I bought this as a package with their Solar Panel and the Guide 10 Plus. I liked the idea of having a battery charger, coupled with a solar panel, that could be used to charge small electronics. My first attempt to use this was on my Iphone 5 with the pin adapter that lets you use an older charging cable. This immediately fried it. I should have learned my lesson there, but I really wanted this to work thinking it was the adapter for my phone. Later that day I plugged my Kindle Fire into the Guide 10 and fried my Kindle. I think by Trial and Error we can determine that this is a great battery charger but is not suited for much else although Goal Zero claims it is. I contacted customer support on this issue. They sent me a really nice note saying that this should not happen but pretty much to have a nice day. Please don't buy this to charge anything other than batteries. I have numerous chargers for small electronics that have worked flawless. This isn't one of them. Unfortunate. Their Solar panels are quite good, their battery packs....eh. My one star is based on them advertising this won't cook small electronics and their almost moronic mail to me not understanding they may have a faulty component and they should replace it. I am still working on getting a reply to my mail back to them. Thus far after three days, nothing.Read Best Reviews of Goal Zero 11406 Guide 10 Plus Silver Battery Pack Here
I purchased a kit at my local Costco during a Goal Zero road show back in March that included the Nomad 7 solar panel, the Guide 10+ along with several of the cables etc that are normally sold separately. So far everything has worked great except for the Guide 10+. They claim that the Guide 10+ will charge the average cell phone 3 times, I have an HTC EVO with the standard battery and since it is a smart phone I knew that I would get fewer charges. I was expecting to get at least 2 but my experience has been not even one full charge before the AA batteries are depleted. This might be acceptable except for one glaring omission in its design by Goal Zero. I do not know if they just did not think about it or wanted to save a penny on its manufacture but it does not have a blocking diode in its circuit. What does this mean? well a blocking diode prevents what ever you are charging from discharging back into the Guide 10 batteries when they become depleted. I was not paying close attention to charging my cell phone and when I looked at it the battery was indicating only a 50% charge when a few minutes earlier it was around 90% charged. When the AA batteries became depleted the cell battery then tried to charge the AA batteries back up because of the Guide 10 not having a blocking diode. This is at least for me unacceptable and a very poor design!Want Goal Zero 11406 Guide 10 Plus Silver Battery Pack Discount?
Used this on a recent bicycle trip and it worked well to recharge my Kindle... but it wouldn't work with my smartphone.Save 33% Off
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