Why I Like Voltaic And Their Off-Grid Solar Backpack

Voltaic has been making solar gear for the last five years. Check out this blast from the past post over at TreeHugger titled Clothing That Takes Action from January 2007. Yes there are companies that haven’t been on the solar scene for as long making great solar backpacks and bags, but Voltaic isn’t slouching with their gear either. In no time I found plenty of reviews, including these two reviews which are from the February and March 2011.

Off-Grid Solar Backpack

Let’s get into the Off-Grid Solar Backpack. Along with digging up reviews I also watch plenty of videos. And to be honest this short video (although it comes off a little salesy) does an excellent job of running through all the specs of the Off-Grid Solar Backpack. Here it is:

I think Voltaic got almost everything right with the Off-Grid. My only gripe is that the solar backpack does not include a larger internal battery. While the 3000 mAh battery will certainly get the job done, a 5000 mAh battery like the Mountain Solar Backpack. So what does a 3000 mAh battery really mean? To get a better idea of how much charge mAh computes to let me use an example. I have a solar iPhone charger which has a 2000 mAh battery and in my testing I was able to charge one iPhone from completely dead to a full battery AND another from completely dead to about a 40 percent charge (read my iPhone solar charger review).

Description Overview

Just in case you didn’t watch the video or you want a few of the finer details here are the specs of the Volatic Off-Grid Solar Backpack:

Weighs 4.5 lbs and measures out to 18″ h by 12″w by 8″ d (46cm h by 30cm w by 21cm d).
2 waterproof and light 2-Watt
Charges portable devices easily via standard usb, micro/mini usb, along with more adapters that are included.
Padded laptop sleeve safely stores laptops/netbooks up to 17″.
1 Hour of solar charging can provide up to 3 hours of talk time. 7 hours of sun light for a complete charge or about 5.5 hours plugged into a usb.

More About Voltaic’s Solar Backpacks

If you are considering going with a solar backpack from Voltaic you might also want to check out this video from Voltaic which goes into more detail about the construction of their solar panels.