NOMAD | Solar Powered Adventures

Our Verdict

Our Analysis and Test Results

Charge Interruption Recovery

The Nomad 7W performed comparably to the Renogy 5W as it struggled to re-engage a charge after being shaded for a few minutes. Both devices didn’t manage to charge beyond 2% during the testing period.

Charging Speed

Our newest test version of the Goal Zero Nomad 7 was a bit of a disappointment. The previous version, for whatever reason, seemed to charge more efficiently overall, compared to the newer model. This is important to note because it shows the varying levels of efficiency among these products. The current test panel charged our iPhone 8% over the course of 30 minutes, in full sunlight. Comparatively, the Suntactics panel charged the same phone 30% in 30 minutes. The Nomad’s performance is similar to the performance of the Renogy 5W because of their comparable size. Needless to say, our testing indicated that small watt panels have trouble charging power-hungry devices, which you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing the best panel for you.

Multiple Device Charging Speed

The Nomad 7W doesn’t have the wattage output to charge multiple devices at one, but it does come with a plethora of cords for charging nearly every electronic under the sun. It even comes with a car plug so you can charge devices via your car if the panel isn’t working while you’re on the road. For a multiple device charger, the BigBlue 28 or the X-Dragon 40W performed the best during o ur testing.

Durability

A plus is that Goal Zero products are built to last. Sometimes, it is worth buying a brand name product just for the reliability of its design and construction. The Nomad 7 is no exception. Out of the three low wattage panels, the Nomad 7 blew the competition out of the water regarding durability, simply because Goal Zero has been in the game for a while. It has large, sturdy pockets with plenty of storage and strong canvas covering the panels on the outside. Both the Renogy E.Flex5 and the Suntactics 14W lack this pocket, which is key to the longevity of the USB ports and the gadgets you are charging.

Weight & Portability

In size, the Nomad 7 is fairly compact, but for a number of reasons, the panel is also quite heavy. For one, there are quite a few cords and accessories that add to the weight. Another contributing factor is the panel’s closure method. Unlike the Velcro of the BigBlue 28W or the Wildtek 21W, the Nomad 7 closes with magnets instead. This is a nifty feature but overall adds unnecessary weight to the overall panel.

The overall weight of the Nomad 7 is 16.2oz, which lands the panel right between the X-Dragon 20 and the Instapark Mercury 10W at 16 ounces. When comparing capacity to weight, this is a fair amount of weight, particularly when you think about how long it may take for the panel to charge your gadgets. It is significantly lighter and more compact than the Suntactics 14W, which weighs 20.5 ounces.

Best Application

This is a great panel for someone who will be charging many different devices and wants a long-lasting, versatile panel. The Nomad 7 has a durable and well thought out design, and is also very user-friendly. For this reason, it’s a good option for someone who is intimidated by the technological side of solar power, as long as they don’t mind spending a little extra cash.

Value

The Goal Zero Nomad 7 is one of the more expensive panels in the fleet. While still having only a 7W capacity, the price per watt ratio is pretty high. When buying this panel, a decent chunk of the cost goes to the brand name and the trustworthiness of having a known and approved product. There are many panels, like both of the Anker products we tested this year, that are becoming more recognizable and may begin to give Goal Zero a run for their money in the coming years. For the cost and output capacity, the Nomad 7 is a tad expensive.

Conclusion

The Goal Zero Nomad 7 is not for everyone, but if you do decide it’s for you, you will end up with a reliable, durable, versatile panel. The security the brand name provides is worth it for some, but it’s important to realize how many other brands out there are, making the equivalent in solar power products. This Goal Zero model is well-designed and easy to operate, making it a great option for group trips where there are many different charging needs (though it may not be the fastest in charging speed).

—
Jane Jackson

FAQs

How do you use a Nomad solar panel?

NOMAD 100 HIGHLIGHTS 100-Watt (14-22V) foldable and weatherproof solar panel. Big wattage and weighs only 10 lbs. For chaining multiple Nomad 100 Solar Panels together, purchase a 4X 8mm Combiner to High Power Port Connector.

Are Goal Zero Nomad panels waterproof?

Yes with the waterproof door fully closed, the unit is rated at IP67 and is protected against dust, sand, and debris, and can withstand submersion up to 1 meter of water for at least

How do you use Nomad 7 solar panels?

What will my NOMAD 7charge? The NOMAD 7 will directly charge most USB and and 12V devices (not tablets).

Is the Nomad 10 waterproof?

Are the Nomad Solar Panels weatherproof? Yes.

Is the Nomad 50 waterproof?

How long does the BioLite HeadLamp 750 Battery last? The battery will last 7 hours in its brightest mode of 500 lumens, 8.5 hours at 250 lumens, and 150 hours at 5 lumens.

Will a Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel charge a 12V battery?

Camping. Back to nature. Just you, the wilderness and your essential gadgets.

Does BioLite keep you warm?

How long does it take to charge up the internal battery? Once you have a strong fire going it takes about 2-3 hours to charge up the CampStove 2's internal battery. Beyond the video: Use the new LED dashboard to your advantage!

How long does it take to charge a BioLite?

The 10,400 mAh battery can offer up to 24 hours of airflow, so the intended use case is: you burn throughout a weekend and then toss the cover on for it to recharge during the week.

Nomad 7 Solar Panel – Goal Zero

Nomad 7 Solar Panel Meet The Nomad 7 Solar Panel Nomad 7 Highlights 7-Watt (8-9V) foldable and weatherproof solar panel Chainable with built-in USB port and mesh storage pocket What can the Nomad 7 charge? The solar panel does not hold a charge it produces power when it is exposed to sunlight. You can plug your phone directly into the panel or use it to recharge a portable recharger for later use. The Nomad 7 is best used for recharging things like: Headlamps Phones Other smaller USB devices Goal Zero USB Power Banks What Goal Zero products work best with the Nomad 7? WHAT’S IN THE BOX Nomad 7 Solar Panel 12V Adapter CHARGE TIMES Switch 10 Recharger: 4 Hours Flip 10 Recharger: 2.5-5 Hours Guide 10 Plus Recharger: 3-6 Hours Flip 20 Recharger: 5-10 Hours Venture 30 Recharger: 8-16 Hours GENERAL Weight: 16.2 oz (460 g) Dimensions (unfolded): 9 x 1.5 x 17 in (22.9 x 3.8 x 43.2 cm) Dimensions (folded): 9 x 1.5 x 6.5 in (22.9 x 3.8 x 16.5 cm) Certs: CE, FCC, ROHS Warranty 12 months PORTS USB Port: 5V, up to 1A (5W max), regulated Solar Port (blue, 8mm): 15V, up to 0.3A (5W max), regulated Mini Solar Port (2.5mm): 6.5V, up to 1.1A (7W max) SOLAR Rated Power: 7W Open Circuit Voltage: 8-9V Cell Type: Monocrystalline Reviews

Nomad 100 – Goal Zero

Nomad 100 “We love it for its ruggedness and durability, lightweight nature, portability, and incredible ease of use.” – Eco Watch NOMAD 100 HIGHLIGHTS 100-Watt (14-22V) foldable and weatherproof solar panel. Big wattage and weighs only 10 lbs. For chaining multiple Nomad 100 Solar Panels together, purchase a 4X 8mm Combiner to High Power Port Connector. WHAT CAN THE NOMAD 100 CHARGE? The solar panel does not hold a charge it produces power when it is exposed to sunlight. Connect it to recharge a portable power station. The Nomad 100 is best used for recharging Goal Zero Yetis. RECOMMENDED YETI PAIRINGS Solar charge times vary and are dependent on many factors such as elevation, temperature, time of year, angle and position to the sun. Tips & Tricks for using solar panels The solar panel does not hold a charge – it produces power when it is exposed to sunlight. Place solar panels towards the sun at an angle. Connect High Power Power to Yeti Power Station. Adjust solar panel as the sun moves across the sky. Meet The Nomad 100 Frequently bought together 4X 8mm Combiner to High Power Port Connector . . . 8mm Input 15 ft. Extension Cable . . . Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions What’s the difference between the Nomads and other solar panels? Are the Nomad Solar Panels weatherproof? Can I chain my Nomads? CHARGE TIMES Yeti 200X: 2-4 hours Yeti 400: 6-12 Hours Yeti 400 Lithium: 7-14 Hours Yeti 500X: 6-12 Hours Yeti 1000 Lithium: 16-32 Hours Yeti 1000X: 12-24 Hours Yeti 1400 Lithium: 22-44 Hours Yeti 1500X: 18-36 Hours Yeti 3000 Lithium: 36-72 Hours Yeti 3000X: 36-72 Hours GENERAL Product SKU: 13007 Weight: 10.2 lbs (4.6 kg) Dimensions (unfolded): 20.5 x 59.5 x 1 in (52 x 151.1 x 2.54 cm) Dimensions (folded): 20.5 x 15.5 x 2 in (52 x 39.37 x 5.08 cm) Cable Length: 6ft Warranty: 2 Years PORTS Solar Port (blue 8mm, male): 14-22V, up to 5.56A (100 max) SOLAR Rated Power: 100 Watts Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 21.5V Maximum Power Point Voltage (Vmpp): 18.0V Maximum Power Point Current (Impp): 5.56A Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.9A Cell Type: Monocrystalline Reviews

etrailer | Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Panel Review

Goal Zero Nomad 7 Review | Tested by GearLab

Goal Zero Nomad 7 Review This panel is versatile and durable with a well-thought out design Credit: Goal Zero Price:  $80 List Pros:  User-friendly design, durable, lots of charging options Cons:  Expensive, heavy, lots of extra parts & cords Manufacturer:   Goal Zero By Jane Jackson ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 11, 2018 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more Charge interruption recovery – 20% 5.0 Charging speed – 30% 6.0 Multiple device charging speed – 20% 2.0 Weight & Portability – 20% 7.0 Durability – 10% 8.0 Our Verdict Goal Zero is the go-to brand in the world of portable solar panels. Whether it is their green and black snazzy color scheme or the strength of their marketing department, at first glance, one might assume they are the only company out there making solar panels for the outdoor enthusiast. We put their ever-popular Nomad 7 back to the test, comparing it to our top picks of 2018. We found it to once again perform similarly to lesser-known brands, like the Suntactics 14W and the Renogy 5W. Our Analysis and Test Results Overall, this panel did not impress in our performance comparisons. The Goal Zero Nomad 7 was a bit finicky and slow to charge, though the design and size make it appealing for those who want a compact, travel-friendly panel. What Goal Zero lacks in saving weight and generating ample power, the brand makes up for in their clever design and extra features. Performance Comparison Testing the Goal Zero’s ability to charge an iPhone in full sun.Credit: Jane Jackson Charge Interruption Recovery The Nomad 7W performed comparably to the Renogy 5W as it struggled to re-engage a charge after being shaded for a few minutes. Both devices didn’t manage to charge beyond 2% during the testing period. Charging Speed Our newest test version of the Goal Zero Nomad 7 was a bit of a disappointment. The previous version, for whatever reason, seemed to charge more efficiently overall, compared to the newer model. This is important to note because it shows the varying levels of efficiency among these products. The current test panel charged our iPhone 8% over the course of 30 minutes, in full sunlight. Comparatively, the Suntactics panel charged the same phone 30% in 30 minutes. The Nomad’s performance is similar to the performance of the Renogy 5W because of their comparable size. Needless to say, our testing indicated that small watt panels have trouble charging power-hungry devices, which you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing the best panel for you. The array of cords that come with the Goal Zero panel are shown above. We used the USB port more than the others by a long shot.Credit: Jane Jackson Multiple Device Charging Speed The Nomad 7W doesn’t have the wattage output to charge multiple devices at one, but it does come with a plethora of cords for…

Goal Zero Nomad 20 solar panel charger review

Goal Zero Nomad 20 solar panel charger review Digital Camera World Verdict A sturdy and reliable solar panel for recharging small devices that can be daisy-chained to other products to create a mini-solar farm. However, it’s relatively heavy and has built-in cables many users won’t need. Pros +10W into smartphones+20W into power stations+Sturdy build quality+Easy to use Cons -Heavy at 1kg-Built-in cabe is annoying-Expensive Have you got a solar charger yet? Although traditionally seen as an expensive, large and a somewhat specialist item, products like the Goal Zero Nomad 20 are quickly going mainstream. However, while consumer-grade solar panels for off-grid living are popular in some parts of the world, small, travel-friendly products like the Nomad 20 that are most suited for short trips with a smartphone.The Nomad 20 is all about simplicity. A ‘personal’ solar panel that folds up for easy travel, it produces up to a maximum of 20W for recharging small portable power stations, and a little less for recharging everything from smartphones and power banks to cameras and LED lamps. Goal Zero Nomad 20: Specifications(Image credit: Jamie Carter/Digital Camera World)Power: 20WSize: 292x19x32 mm/11.5×7.4×1.25” (folded)/292x553x19 mm/11.5×21.7×0.75” (unfolded)Weight: 1kg/2.28 lbsConnections: 8mm Solar Port, USB-AKey features(Image credit: Jamie Carter/Digital Camera World)The Nomad 20 is effectively three separate solar panels each measuring about 185x292mm. They’re joined up to create a still relatively small solar panel measuring 553x292mm. The central solar panel in that array is backed by a kickstand, a simple aluminum design that can be snapped shut to the back for travel and set in various positions for aligning best with the Sun.Surely solar panels are somewhat brittle and delicate, right? That’s absolutely not the case with the Nomad 20, which is about as durable and outdoorsy a product as we can imagine. The photovoltaic panels are placed behind a sturdy plastic covering, while the four corners of the unfurled solar panel have cut outs so that the entire product can be tied to, or hung from a tent, guy ropes or perhaps the side of a backpack or camera bag.Whether the Nomad 20 can be used to refuel your camera’s battery depends on what model you have; on the rear is a USB 2.0 port that can take any cable you might want to use. It’s rated at 5V/2.1-amps and can send up to 10.5W into anything you attach to it. That could include a camera that allows in-camera charging of the battery as well as a camera charger that uses USB. Another cable back there is an 8mm cable that plugs directly into a portable power station such as the same brand’s Yeti range. That turns the Nomad 20 into a very portable option for using off-grid in camps, but its small size means it’s going to take an awfully long time to fill anything other than small gadgets and batteries. However, another use for the 8mm cable is to daisy-chain it to a second (or third, or fourth) Nomad 20 to create a useful array. Build and handling(Image credit: Jamie Carter/Digital Camera World)The Nomad 20 is rough enough to be used and abused around camp. You could have a couple of these folded-up in the back of a vehicle to unfurl now and again when setting-up a camp in a remote area for, say, a wildlife shoot. We like the way the Nomad 20 folds out into a relatively large solar panel and retains its shape – it doesn’t curl-up at the sides and doesn’t need much propping-up or adjusting. That said, it works best when used on grass, which offers plenty of resistance to it bending out of shape. However, one of the reasons it’s so stable is because it’s so heavy, at least when compared to the competition. For instance, the BioLite 10+ solar panel – which cannot be used with a portable power station, but will put the same 10W into a smartphone or camera battery – weighs about half as much.Performance(Image credit: Jamie Carter/Digital Camera World)The Nomad 20 proves itself to be an exceptionally sturdy and reliable portable solar panel, though there are a few things we don’t like about it. For example, the 8mm cable for attaching it to other solar panels and directly…

NOMAD | Solar Powered Adventures | United Kingdom

NOMAD | Solar Powered Adventuressolar poweredadventuresFrom the award winning team at Solar Technology For Your Adventures!No matter your motorhome, campervan or caravan… we’ve got you covered with a simple solar solution. ​ Solar technology can bring your adventures a new level of freedom, as you harness the power of the sun to travel in style.  ​ NOMAD is part of TRAILAR, the multi-award winning start-up from the world’s largest logistic company DHL. TRAILAR use solar technology on trucks, buses, vans and refuse trucks to reduce fuel and emissions.  This same industry leading expertise and technology is now available for those looking for a simple solar solution to elevate their adventures.  How Our System WorksApply ultra-thin solar mats to the roof your motorhome, campervan or caravan.Connect the solar mats to the  Charge Controller, which regulates the transfer of energy from the solar mats to the existing battery.Away you go, benefiting from clean off-grid solar power, It’s as simple as that! Why Ultra-Thin Flexible Solar Mats?POWERFULWorld leading flexible solar mats, with amazing power efficiency rating of 18.5%LIGHTWEIGHT & FLEXIBLEOnly 2kg per m2, and being 3mm thin they are completely flexibleSHATTERPROOF & DURABLEUltra-strong, so you can travel worry free no matter where you go EXCELLENT SHADE PERFORMANCESuperior shade performance over mono-crystalline panels, making the most of a little sunPEEL & STICK INSTALLATIONSimple installation process meaning anyone can do it, no matter the technical abilityYour next 4 simple stepsSTEP 1Understand Your Energy NeedsSTEP 2Choose The Right Solar SystemSTEP 3We Book A Professional Fitting or You Can Do It Yourself!STEP 4Enjoy Your Adventures On Solar! ​Step 1… Let’s Get Started!NOMAD Kits will provide you the following energy over 24 hours, dependant on which mat size you choose: Summer 440 – 1070 WhWinter50 – 120 WhBelow is a list of standard appliances and their average energy consumption across a day:NOMAD KitsProfessional Fitting ServiceIndustry Leading TechnologyProfessional FittingBattery Care In Down-time3mm Thin Solar PanelsProlongs Battery LifeOff-Grid PowerExpert SupportStrong & DurableWho is                ?NOMAD is part of the multi-award winning solar technology company, TRAILAR. Their mission is to drive the transport industry to a greener, more efficient future, through the use of solar and data driven technologies. Companies like Royal Mail, DHL and Ocado are all customers who have innovated their transport fleets with TRAILAR’s solar technology, to reduce fuel and emissions.  ​ NOMAD was created to help owners of caravans, motorhomes and campervans to benefit from the same industry leading solar technology. CONTACT