[leadin]Simple and lightweight, for $99 this solar panel will be all you need to charge small electronics in the woods. It’s the latest incarnation from Goal Zero, a company who has long been a leader in the portable solar space.[/leadin]
The Goal Zero Nomad 7 is a compact solar panel that charges phones or other electronic devices, and it has a modified maximum power point tracker to regulate output. We put this pre-release model to a quick test for a review. (It is available for sale on Mar. 29, 2016.)
Review: Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel
The Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus is, on the outside, one of the simplest solar panels we’ve tested. It is light, weighing less than 13 ounces, and it folds down to the size of a small book.
But don’t judge this book by the cover. Thanks to a small modulator, the panel tracks charging and output, helping devices recharge quickly even with the common fluctuations in power generation due to things like shadows and clouds.
The panel packs 7 watts of charging output at 1.4 amps. It is “smart” power, and it quickly juices small devices in our testing.
‘Intuitive’ Power Meter Built-In
The Nomad 7 Plus ($99) has no battery or other power storage. If you want to store extra power purchase any of a number of batteries separately.
It has a single charging output — a USB port with an intuitive power meter built-in. The meter helps you angle the panel just right to capture every possible bit of sunlight. Illuminated dots indicate charge output strength.