Solio Magnesium Edition Full Review
Posted: 28 March 2008 by Adam Vaughan
If you're in the market for a solar charger, you'll have come across the original Solio already. Launched in 2005, its gorgeous three-leaf design ensured its spot in the green gadget hall of fame. This Magnesium incarnation is its slightly more powerful, tougher and heavier successor.
Like the original Solio (now catchily renamed the Solio Classic Universal Hybrid Charger), this is basically a solar panel with a built-in battery. Here's what's new in this incarnation.
To start, the built-in battery's storage capacity is up 15 per cent, from 1,600mAh to 1,800. That's good, and on a par with two really good AA rechargeable batteries for capacity. It can also output more watts than the old Solio. Not enough to charge a laptop, but at nine watts it's enough for the vast majority of hand-held gadgets -- namely phones, portable games consoles, MP3 players and cameras.
Then there's the switch from Solio's own charging adaptors to the long-running iGo system, which is independent of Solio. That's sweet in the respect that you'll be able to buy an adaptor for virtually any gadget for a fiver, be it a Nokia N-Series mobile or a Nintendo DS Lite. But it also means you only get a female USB charger -- capable of powering iPods and some mobiles -- provided in the box. That feels stingy when cheaper solar chargers like the Freeloader come bundled with a selection of adaptors.
The Magnesium can power up virtually any gadget -- provided you're happy to buy the appropriate £5 adaptor tip
Finally, the other major switch is to magnesium alloy for the Solio's shell. We've used the old Solio long-term and it does scratch. In comparison, from our initial short-term testing, this new material does seem more impervious to scuffing. Despite magnesium being an abundant material in the sea and in minerals, we wouldn't go as far as describing it as an eco material, though. Recycled plastic, yes. Virgin magnesium, no. There's also a scratch-beating carry bag supplied in the box, which is another addition.
In day-to-day use, the Solio works well. Like its predecessor, it's a superb design that feels robust and is practical for pocketing with the panels shut and quickly unfolding to convert solar rays into free green electricity. In that respect, it's much less fiddly than the Freeloader.
Another neat design touch is the hole in the Solio's pivot, which -- with the addition of a Solio pencil bundled in the box -- allows you to prop the Solio up to face the sun (see here). It's a small feature, but one that most of the competition is missing. One small thing that did disappoint is the disappearance of the window sucker mount that used to come in the box with old Solios. The charger's makers, Better Energy Systems, have confirmed it no longer comes as standard. Continue reading...
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