Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Panel, One color

I purchased this to have a self sufficient power source when thru-hiking as it's about the lightest decent panel around and personally I like it.It works adequately for my use as I generally turn my phone off when I'm outdoors and rarely resort to GPS, but the power output is limited and others need to manage their expectations.I can't see you ever getting 5W out of this after testing with an inline USB multimeter. Even midday in the UK when it was clear sky and 35C (heatwave) I could only get 3.55W (0.7467A @4.761V). A couple of weeks later not as hot but sunny with a clear blue sky at 3pm I could only get 1.5W (0.3309A @4.505V).You really can only use this to trickle charge a power bank during the day and then use that to top up a device at night. If you are a heavy electroncs user this isn't for you and if you connect a phone directly to it you will be disappointed.

I had the solar panel in direct sunlight for a full day and tried using it to charge my phone. The phone registered that it was connected and the charging icon showed, but the battery level went down. I have had the same result with every device I've plugged into the panel. I'd be interested to hear from the people who have submitted 5 star reviews, on how they've managed to get any use out of it.

If you stick a flip power bank on the back it might be useful as an emergency power source as long as it is constantly exposed to the sky and you dont need to use it often. This should not be bought for direct charging and should not be sold without the power bank. I am going to try this out but if it doesn't prove useful I would never recommend this. It is too small and weak to direct charge anything - It stopping charging when the light gets low is NOT A FEATURE - duh!. In the case of a phone, the phone constantly alerting you that it has started charging, stopped charging, then again, and again, and again - drains the battery faster than it can charge. Effing useless really, but I already spent the money and it fits onto the top of one my packs perfectly, is lightweight and 'reasonably' sturdy so as a constantly trickle charging device which is a last resort not often used resource, it may work out - but now I need to start from scratch to find what I was looking for. I, and possibly you too, will just have to accept that you need a bigger more powerful panel that costs more for it to be anything more than an overhyped ornament.