I seem to hear about new solar chargers coming out all the time, which is great news. Of course, whenever I come across a similar product, I like to compare them with my kit. If someone else comes out with a better product, then clearly I need to pay attention. Most of the time, though, I look at the new offering and say "Eh, over-priced, under-powered... as usual."
Today, I came across the Changers Starter Kit, so I'll do a little comparison for you.
Chi-qoo | Changers | |
Standard solar wattage |
5W | 4W |
Max solar wattage |
10W | 5W |
Output | 1.5A | 1A |
USB Ports | 2 | 1 |
Battery capacity |
6000mAh | 4400mAh |
Replaceable battery | Yes ($25) | No |
Replaceable solar panels | Yes ($25) | ? |
iPad support | Yes | ? |
Enclosure* | Bamboo | Plastic |
Software integration | No | Yes |
Price | $120 | $149 |
*I didn't claim a win on the enclosure because I think this is a subjective judgement. Some people will like the bamboo, not just because it's a renewable material, but because it's also aesthetically pleasing, while others may prefer the sleek but less eco-friendly plastic.
So, spec for spec, the Chi-qoo beats the Changer charger and at a lower price. The Changer does have a nice sleek (albeit plastic) design and appears to be more compact than the Chi-qoo. There's also software/social media integration, which I think is interesting. But for $149, you can get a Chi-qoo plus another 5W solar panel, with enough money left for a latte. If it were me, you know where my money would go (but, I admit, I'm biased).