Suntactics sCharger-5 solar charger review – what I carried in Afghanistan

The Suntactics sCharger-5 Solar Charger review (with video).

As a soldier, I need tough, dependable equipment and the Suntactics sCharger-5 solar charger is one of the best items a prepper or camper can put in their backpack for backup power out in the wilderness or during any kind of a power outage these days. As most of my regular readers know, I deploy to combat zones and remote locations all around the world and this is one of my must-have devices so I figured I’d use it for my first review. In fact, I’m writing this review on my iPad as we speak.

When I travel, I try to keep as light as possible but I like to maintain connectivity. One of the things I always have on me is my iPhone so I can take photos or use it on wi-fi. Since I do a lot of writing also, I started also bringing my iPad this deployment. The problem is that these two items use up power fairly quickly when you’re sitting out at a remote FOB somewhere for hours waiting to meet someone or for the convoy to head out (the military is still very fond of their hurry-up-and-wait thing). It’s very difficult to find a suitable solar charger for an iPad or iPhone due to the power requirements.

So because these remote locations don’t always have power, and the power systems in third-world countries aren’t very good anyway – and add to that that I was heading to Afghanistan for a year pretty soon, I needed some kind of backup power. The problem was that I could never find one that would both charge an iPad (it requires 5Watts) and fit into my ruck sack or bug out bag. After buying a couple other solar chargers that didn’t work, I sat down on the Interwebs and looked at a LOT of reviews of different solar chargers for campers that would work. One that kept popping up with great reviews (and no negative ones that I could find) was the Suntactics sCharger-5 solar charger. I finally pulled the trigger and ordered one.

When I first opened it up, it was definitely smaller than I thought it would be. folded up, it’s about the size of a CD case. I went outside to test it out (after I grabbed a Guinness for moral support – I wasn’t deployed at the time so General Order #1 wasn’t relevant). I grabbed my iPad, white charging cable and solar panel and headed outside. It was a bit cloudy out so I wasn’t if it was going to work. I unfolded it and laid it out, plugged in the charging cable to both the solar charger and my iPad and bling it started charging! I knew I’d made a good purchase.

You’ll need one of these

Since then (I’ve had this charger for a year now), it’s worked flawlessly. I keep it in my go-bag in a small pouch along with a charging cable and a backup USB battery that I’ll also be reviewing soon. Because it’s flat, I can slide it pretty much anywhere in my backpack with no problem.

What I’d suggest is that you get something like a USB battery to make sure that you can charge your electronics at night. Some electronics actually stop charging if a shadow or a cloud passes over and don’t pick back up when the sun comes out unless it’s really bright. By using a USB battery charged by the solar panel, you fix that stupid crap. Just get one with a higher mAh rating so it’ll hold more charge. I currently have an Incredicharge, which has been great, but no longer sold. Luckily for you, and for when I decide to replace this, they now have even better USB batteries out there. The best one I’ve found so far, and my next purchase if I get another is the 24000mAh 5V/4.2A Limefuel Blast USB battery. It holds a LOT more charge than my current one does and actually costs less than I paid for mine when I got it.

Here’s everything you need to know about the sCharger-5 specs, reviews and price etc…

• Standard USB “A” connector
• USB output: 5 volts, 1 Amp (1000mA)
• Open size: 6-1/8″ x 11.5″ / 15.5 x 29.2 cm
• Folded size: 6-1/8″ x 5-3/4″ / 15.5 x 14.6 cm
• Indicator LED, surface mount circuitry
• State of the art flex circuits
• Weight: 7-8 oz / 200 g
• Handles temps up to 160F
• Water and weather resistant
• Patent Pending

Product Features

• Solar charges direct from the sun to your device at wall-rates. Charge, talk and surf at the same time
• Long life, Water and weather resistant, Simple to use, Very reliable and durable, Non toxic, Clean and Green
• “Auto-Retry” Technology to eliminate charging interruptions on devices caused by partial clouds and intermittent shadows
• Includes pouch that also stores accesories, Lightweight and compact yet very powerful
• Standard USB “A” connector, Solar USB output: 5volts/1Amp (5 Watts) , Open: 6.25″x11.5″,Closed 6.25″x7.75″ ~8oz/230g, optimized, flow protection circuitry

 Click below to take you to the sCharger-5 page

sCharger-5 shown with sCharger-12. Click on the image for the sCharger-12 review

So if you need a good, sturdy solar charger for your iPad or iPhone, this sCharger-5 is a great choice. If you want something bigger, check out my review of the sCharger-12. If you want to put together a full bug out bag electronics setup so you don’t ever have to worry about running out of power for small electronics like a tablet or cell phone – or flashlights, check out my Almost unlimited power for your camping or bug out bag electronics article.