Crocodile Creek Solar System Backpack

Beautiful yet practical! This sturdy backpack is just the right size for younger children. Constructed of lasting high quality materials and thoughtfully designed to support keep active kids coordinated and ready to go! Contains a particular storage pocket for notes, furnishes or loose modify and there’s even a clip for a house key. Side mesh pocket holds Crocodile Creek drinking bottle (bottle sold separately). Conforms to or outperforms U.S. and European safety standards. Backpack measures 11.5″W x 14″H. Ages 3 and up.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10412 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Size: One Size
• Brand: Crocodile Creek
• Model: 4657-3
• Dimensions: 1.00″ h x 1.00″ w x 1.00″ l, 1.00 pounds

• high-quality sturdy backpacks
• bold colors and designs
• perfectly sized for younger children
• mesh pocket on the side for extra storage

Crocodile Creek Solar System Backpack Image

Crocodile Creek Solar System Backpack Photo

Crocodile Creek Solar System Backpack Photo

Crocodile Creek Solar System Backpack Picture

Crocodile Creek Solar System Backpack Pic

Crocodile Creek Solar System Backpack Picture

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
Non-Toxic and Adorable
By Eco Mama’s Guide To Living Green
Crocodile Creek products are very pleasing to the eye. Colorful simple images, like a flower or a dinosaur have a sweet look, the way kids stuff should look. There’s a gentle innocence and as fleeting as that is in life, I love seeing this sort of thing around the house while it lasts. They’re not just cute though, they are practical and safe. Crocodile Creek products are PVC and phthalate free, lead safe and meet or exceed US and European safety standards. The only problem I see with Crocodile Creek is trying to figure out what to get amongst so many great choices, I really love this brand.

The backpacks stand out in a sea of Spongebobs and Spidermen. They are bright and colorful (easy to spot your kid), have an organizer pouch inside, padded adjustable straps, easy to use zipper pulls, and a place to put water bottles on the side. My son now has several Crocodile Creek products and loves them all. I recommend having a look at the matching lunch boxes as well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Far out!
By Mama2Rori
My son loves space, so this was the perfect backpack for him when he started Kindergarten. He loves it. I was recently looking for another space backpack for him this year (1st grade)and couldn’t find anything we liked as much. Then I went in his closet and looked over the backpack we have, and to my surprise it still looks almost brand new (and he had used it the whole year!). So this backpack will be used again this year. I’m also going to order a Crocodile Creek girls backpack for my daughter who is starting school this fall. We had a Mickey Mouse backpack for preschool and it just fell apart in comparison to this one. It’s well worth the money. We also had the matching lunch box, and while it’s still in good condition it is a bit stinky on the inside so I’ll buy a new one of those. The water bottles are nice too but don’t be surprised if they get dented. Ours had dents after the first month of use. I imagine any metal bottle would though. I’m sure my son must have dropped it a few times or maybe it fell off the lunch table. It was still usable though. But the backpack is a winner in my book. You won’t be sorry!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
LOVE IT!
By K. Kelly
Excellent quality and the perfect size. Would recommend to anyone. Perfect for a toddler or child kindergarten age. In fact when our kindergarten-age child saw it – we had a battle between the 4 and 5 year olds because the space backpack was so cool. Colors are very true to what is shown.

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Eco Friendly Solar Heating System Ground

Free heat for your Above-Ground Pool! Bring your pool to life with a Solar Heating Module. Get the most out of your pool. Swim in warmer water all season for only a little investment. FREE solar heat keeps you comfortable all season long.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16182 in Lawn & Patio

Eco Friendly Solar Heating System Ground Photo

Eco Friendly Solar Heating System Ground Pic

Eco Friendly Solar Heating System Ground Pic

Eco Friendly Solar Heating System Ground Image

Eco Friendly Solar Heating System Ground Pic

Eco Friendly Solar Heating System Ground Pic

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Gateway Solar System Gregory Vogt

Presents selective information on Venus, including it is volcanoes, arachnoids, and pancake domes, as studied by U.S. and Soviet spacecraft. Includes a glossary and “Venus Quick Facts.”

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8358713 in Books
• Published on: 1996-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Gateway Solar System Gregory Vogt Photo

Gateway Solar System Gregory Vogt Photo

Gateway Solar System Gregory Vogt Image

Gateway Solar System Gregory Vogt Picture

Gateway Solar System Gregory Vogt Image

Gateway Solar System Gregory Vogt Image

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4 50kw Visx Complete Solar System

The all-new Kindle – Lighter, smaller, rapidly and without delay – 30% lighter, less than 6 ounces – 18% littler body, same 6″ screen size – Fits in your pocket – Most innovative E Ink display, reads like paper – Built in Wi-Fi – Get books in 60 seconds – Massive book selection, over 800,000 titles are $9.99 or less – New – Borrow Kindle books from your public library

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3 in Amazon Devices
• Brand: Amazon
• Model: D01100
• Dimensions: .34″ h x 4.50″ w x 6.50″ l, .37 pounds

8545 of 8704 people found the following review helpful.
Fantastic device – pick your Kindle!
By FreeSpirit
Having been a little overwhelmed by the choices between all the new Kindles and which one to get, I ordered this new basic $79 Kindle first to take for a spin. So far, I like what I see. I also own a Kindle 3 so that’s the only device I can really compare it to at this time (I think a comparison between other tablets and this Kindle is meaningless, this device is all about content and delivery):

1. Form-factor – Compared to the Kindle 3, this Kindle feels more compact, lighter and easier to hold. My hands wrap around this better than K3. Reading books for a few hours at a stretch will be easier on this device compared to the K3. It is the lightest such device I have used compared to all previous Kindles and other tablets.

2. Screen – I personally like the fact that there are no keys on the device and that keys come up on the screen when you need them. Delivers a better overall reading experience. However, navigating through the on-screen keyboard with the 5-way controller can be taxing if you need to do a lot of searching, and you might miss the full physical keyboard. I hardly search on the Kindle itself, I search for books on my laptop so this is a non-issue.

3. Price! – At $79, you can’t go wrong. Compared to buying paperback or hardcover editions, you will recover the cost of this in a matter of a few months because most Kindle content is priced cheaper than print editions (and you get it instantly, and can access it wherever you are). Not to mention all the free Kindle downloads available in the catalog.

4. Display – almost the same E-ink display at the K3. No glare no reflection. You can sit in bright sunlight and read it just like a book. Page turns seem a lot faster on this compared to the K3. Screen size of the Kindle 3, this new Kindle, and the Touch is exactly the same in size.

5. Wi-Fi – this can be a pro or a con (no 3G) depending on a user’s personal preference. If you travel often and would like to be able to download content anywhere without worrying about getting a wi-fi connection, you’re better off sticking with the K3 or waiting for the Touch/Fire. For me, 3G is not a major issue.

6. Text to Speech and Audiobooks – These two features are lacking in this device. I personally have never used these features on my K3. If you listen to audiobooks or TTS or music on your Kindle, again the K3/Touch/Fire might be better options.

7. Storage – this device can store 2GB which they claim is approximately 1400 books. For me, that’s a massive storage capacity and it will be years before I get close to that capacity. Again, if you download books occasionally and have a moderate Kindle downloaded content on your device, 2GB is plenty. Of course, think ahead and see how much you would expect to download in the coming 2 years (I am assuming the device will be outdated and replaced within this time-frame).

8. Battery life – too early to tell but Kindle battery life tends to be great. Specs state that the battery life of this device is 1 month compared to 2 months for the Touch or K3. 1 month is plenty (Android phones need to be charged every hour!). At least I know that if I’m going on a long flight, this device won’t need charging if I charge it up in advance.

9. Power adapter – this Kindle does not come with a power adapter, only a USB charging cable. You can either buy it separately for $8-10, or use your existing USB power adapter. Any USB adapter would work with the charging cable (previous Kindle versions, Apple’s portable devices, and most HTC phones, come with a standard USB power adapter that would work for this device). There are also plenty of $2-3 adapters available here if you search for USB chargers.

Bottom line – the choice between this basic Kindle, the K3 Keyboard, the Touch, and the Fire is really a personal preference. This device itself is meant for the minimalist Kindle user who, like me, reads say a 2-3 books a month, wants a device comfortable to hold, and doesn’t need any fancy bells and whistles on the device. I guess it depends on what you use your Kindle for. If it’s just the basics, this is the perfect device to get.

In my humble opinion, the choices:

(i) If you have a DX or an old Kindle version, or if you don’t have a Kindle yet and are an average book-reader, this is definitely the one to get – baseline model that is affordable and is a pure e-reader.

(ii) If you have Kindle 3 and don’t really need an upgrade, I recommend sticking with the K3, it’s a better device than this one in terms of features. If you do need to upgrade, the Touch is probably a better option because of all the additional features, at a small incremental cost.

(iii) If you’re looking for the loaded full-on Amazon content experience with access to all the apps, streaming audio and video, and playing the “strangely therapeutic” Fruit Ninja, wait for the Fire!

I sincerely hope this review helps you decide whether this Kindle is right for you. If you are still unable to make a decision, it may be worthwhile to wait for the Touch and Fire to be released, and see the reviews on those devices before making a final decision.

3419 of 3511 people found the following review helpful.
Facts to Consider when Buying This Kindle Instead of Others
By J. Ts
First off, I received my new Kindle this morning. I previously owned the Kindle Keyboard, but actually really didn’t like the keyboard or the way the buttons were pressed together. I’m not a fan of touch screens so I bought this one.

There are a few things to know about this particular Kindle that can help you decide if it’s right for you…

Here is a list of things to know about this Kindle.

1. You’ll be using an onscreen keyboard with the 5-Way Controller. This is not a problem for setting up WiFi and a little writing but if you are an avid note-taker or do a lot of writing with your Kindle, you might want to opt for the Kindle Keyboard.
2. NO AUDIO – If you are planning on listening to audiobooks, Mp3s, or Text to Speech on your Kindle, this is not the device for you. There is not even a headphone jack, so there is absolutely no audio support.
3. 2GB! This device has 2GB of storage, which is half of all the others… if you seriously need to keep over 1,400 books or so on your Kindle, you should opt for one of the others, all of which have 4GB. I only keep a hundred or so books on mine and the rest are up in the Amazon Cloud waiting for convenient download.
4. There’s no 3G version but the WiFi works just fine.
5. There is a shorter battery life. Amazon reports the battery life is only one month of reading, compared with the others that clock in at two months. If you are going to be away from electricity for over a month, first of all RESPECT!, second of all, you may want a Kindle that has the 2 month battery life.
6. It’s lighter than all the other versions. It weighs in at just under 6oz (170g). The closest competition is the Kindle Touch which is about 7.5oz.
7. It has 5 buttons on the face at the bottom. In the middle is the big 5-Way Controller button as found on other Kindles. There are two small buttons on either side of this. On the left side, from left to right are the “Back” button and the “Keyboard” button. The “Back” button is the same as on other Kindles. The “Keyboard” button calls the onscreen keyboard onto the screen. On the right side of the 5-Way Controller are (again, from left to right) the “Menu” button, and the “Home” button. The “Next Page” and “Previous Page” buttons are the same as on other Kindles.
8. Because of the above 5 buttons, I find it much easier to use than the Kindle Keyboard. On the Kindle Keyboard, the “Back” button was right below the 5-Way Controller, and I accidentally hit it on more than one occasion.
9. On the bottom there is only the mini-USB port, the charging light, and the On-Off Button.
10. There are not a whole lot of covers available for this Kindle yet. (Amazon’s won’t be available until the end of October.)

As for reading, and as a pure reading device. It is awesome… in fact, without the keyboard, audio, and other features I don’t need. This is actually the best one for someone like me who just wants to read.

I’ve already successfully transferred my library, downloaded books over WiFi, and borrowed library books through the Overdrive Library eBooks System. My only small point of dissatisfaction is that there are so few good covers and accessories right now (though there ARE some available that look pretty good).

All in all, I believe this is the BEST of all the Kindles currently available. Only consider others if you:
a. Really want the touch screen version.
b. Need audio.
c. Need 4GB
d. Need a big Kindle DX.
e. Take a lot of notes or do a lot of writing that requires a keyboard.
f. Prefer the design of another version.
g. Need more than a month’s battery power.

Hope this helps someone make a good decision!

(Brief update: I love this Kindle, but right now the scarcity of good, inexpensive covers for it is a little troubling. The Amazon made leather one with light won’t be available until November or so and there are currently no inexpensive ones to use in the interim. I’ll just have to use it gently for a month or so.)

Update on cases:
I mentioned this in the comments section, but I’ll repeat it here for people who can’t yet find a good case -

Checking the specifications for the Kindle, Nook Touch, and Kobo:
Nook Touch
6.5 x 5 x 0.5 inches
Kobo Reader
6.5 X 4.5 inches
Kindle (4th Generation)
6.5 x 4.5 x 0.34 inches

It looks like the Kobo is about exactly the same size and the Nook Touch is slightly longer. If you need a case but can’t find one that you like yet, it may be worth a little hunting to see if a nook or kobo case or cover might fit the bill.

1729 of 1827 people found the following review helpful.
The most compact Kindle yet. Extremely legible display, snappy performance
By M. Erb
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RWG7OQ5NMGUMW I was thrilled to receive my new Kindle. I ordered it Sep 28, chose overnight shipping and it arrived (Sep 29) just a few minutes ago. Usually I use a device for a while before reviewing it. In this case, I felt it was important to do a quick review right away because if it can help you in your purchasing decision, so much the better.

If you are a little perplexed with all the various Kindle models and are wondering if this Is the Kindle for you, here are a few questions for you to consider…

1. Do you need text to speech capability or have the desire to listen to mp3′s on your Kindle? If you can live without that, then proceed. This Kindle does not have a speaker thus is not capable of text to speech or playing sounds of any kind including mp3′s.

2. Is color important to you? This is not a color Kindle, it is gray-scale. If you are mostly wanting to read books then this will work for you exceedingly well. The e-ink screen is gorgeous, sharp and provides the ability to change font size, font face and line spacing. It even displays photos quite nicely, but in gray-scale. And you can even zoom in on images.

3. Is a physical keyboard a necessity for you? If you like to make notes and annotations while reading, you may want to look at another model Kindle that has a physical keyboard. Although this Kindle has a screen-based keyboard, it is tedious to type more than a few words or URL’s. It works very well for minimal typing but it’s not for you if you need more than that.

4. Is compact size important for you? Then this is the one to get. It’s thin, light and diminutive in size. Slips easily into a purse, pocket or inside pocket. It is so light which makes holding and reading with one hand for longer periods of time very easy.

5. Do you want to be able to occasionally use a web browser to access a web site? Well surprise surprise, you can do that on this Kindle. It’s an “experimental” feature but it works quite well. It’s been experimental for years, so I’m not quite sure why it’s still labeled experimental. But in any case you can visit websites, save bookmarks and it works.

I also own the original Kindle with the SD card slot. Compared to the original Kindle, this new one is svelte. Thinner, lighter and notably, the e-ink on this new Kindle is vastly improved. In low interior lighting with gray overcast lighting outside, I’m able to easily read the Kindle. It is amazing how the screen almost glows, as if it were backlit. Of course it is not backlit and in fact will not work in the dark. But if you have a small reading light, that solves that problem. Otherwise in most other situations you will pleased with the excellent sharpness and clarity of the Kindle text.

Page “turning” was very snappy to me especially when compared to my old Kindle. The black page flash that occurs on every page turn on the old Kindle does not occur nearly as frequently with the new Kindle. It now occurs after every 5 page turns.

The fact that there is no physical keyboard means that this Kindle is absolutely the easiest to carry Kindle ever. Fits nicely in the hand and the slightly grippy surface makes you feel secure in holding it… it will not easily slip out of your hand.

Setup was a breeze. The Kindle immediately identified my Wi-Fi network and as soon as I entered my password using the onscreen keyboard, I was good to go. Signal strength indicated very high on the Kindle and I did not notice any degradation in signal no matter how I handled it.

As concerns the onscreen keyboard, it was easy and intuitive to use. I don’t expect to have to use it very often and for me I’d rather have no physical keyboard because that makes the Kindle smaller and easier to pack and go.

You still get the typical Kindle tools, such as Highlighting, Notes, Annotations, Public Notes and a few others. You can upload PDF and TXT files and view them. You can easily transfer prior Kindle purchases to your new Kindle. You have the ability to create “collections” Once you’ve created a collection, you add items to it and this is a great way to organize many books.

I have not had this model long enough to comment on battery life, but I’m sure that based on my previous Kindle and the specifications that it will excel. I believe that reading 1/2 hour a day will let you go a month before needing a charge if Wi-Fi is off. That’s pretty awesome. It is charged via the included USB cable and that can be from your computer or via an AC to USB power adapter, or in-car power port USB adapter.

And don’t worry that the memory has decreased in this Kindle. There is still more than enough memory to hold well over 1000 books. And you archive books too which means they are just a click and a few seconds away from being downloaded back to your Kindle from the Amazon Cloud.

Regarding the ads… they are not objectionable. In fact (don’t tell this to the advertisers) I didn’t even notice that there was an advertisement on the home screen until I deliberately looked for it. It takes up just a small portion of the bottom of the screen and is no taller than an inch in height. I don’t know for sure whether all ads are the same size but the one I’m looking at is very unobtrusive. The screensaver ads are full page and don’t bother me at all. And of course, you may just end up getting a good deal on something. I LIKE the ads. Just today I got a couple from an ad that saves me $5 on a $10 Amazon purchase in addition to my choice of a selected list of Mystery/Thriller books for only $1. Love the deals!

I think Amazon has another winner on its hands with this ad-supported Kindle. You just can’t beat it for reading and I’m so glad I got it.

If you have any questions please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer them.

UPDATE: 10/16/2011 – I had the opportunity to compare the display of my new Kindle with that of a friends who had a Kindle with keyboard. I’m not sure how old his is, but his display actually had a somewhat lighter colored background which made the legibility slightly better in my opinion. I was quite happy with the clarity, sharpness and contrast of my new Kindle until I compared with him. Now I’m a little conflicted. It’s still great, don’t get me wrong, But it’s not an improvement necessarily over the previous generation as far as I can tell. It’s also possible that there are variations in the e-ink display depending on the luck of the draw. I may question Amazon about this and will report back here if I do. I’d still get this in a heartbeat, but just wanted to let you know about the contrast issue.

UPDATE: 10/17/2011 – There is a new firmware update for the Kindle that addresses the page refresh issue. The new version is 4.0.1 If installed, you will see an additional option in the Settings panel on page 3 called “Page Refresh.” This allows you to have the Kindle refresh the page at each page turn (the screen flashes black briefly.) Otherwise the Kindle will not refresh the page until after each 5 page turns.

UPDATE: 10/19/2011 – I called Amazon Kindle Support to discuss the screen darkness issue I mentioned above. They said they’d send a replacement which I’ve just received. I’m happy to say that the screen background is in fact -slightly- lighter in color on the new Kindle I just received. I’m happy and probably would have still been happy had I not replaced it. But at least I am psychologically satisfied now. The difference in background color was extremely subtle so I wouldn’t worry at all about it if you are happy with your newly purchased $79 Kindle. However there do seem to be some circulating that are more obviously darker and if yours is one of those, then contact Amazon.

UPDATE: 12/6/2011 – Wow, the way these specials offers are going, this Kindle is going to end up being free. I just got another $10 Amazon gift card for $5 the other day. Plus a free Audible Audiobook and 50% off a Kindle cover. Loving the special offers.

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• Published on: 1987-04-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .0 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 1036 pages

Central Receiver Solar Thermal System Pic

Central Receiver Solar Thermal System Photo

Central Receiver Solar Thermal System Image

Central Receiver Solar Thermal System Pic

Central Receiver Solar Thermal System Picture

Central Receiver Solar Thermal System Picture

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Travelers Guide System Patricia Barnes Svarney

Travelers Guide System Patricia Barnes Svarney Picture

Travelers Guide System Patricia Barnes Svarney Photo

Travelers Guide System Patricia Barnes Svarney Pic

Travelers Guide System Patricia Barnes Svarney Image

Travelers Guide System Patricia Barnes Svarney Pic

Travelers Guide System Patricia Barnes Svarney Pic

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Earth Solar System Science Alive

Introduces conceptions related to our solar scheme and Earth’s place in it through respective actions and projects.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4569460 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .17″ h x 7.60″ w x 10.94″ l, .42 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Earth Solar System Science Alive Image

Earth Solar System Science Alive Image

Earth Solar System Science Alive Picture

Earth Solar System Science Alive Picture

Earth Solar System Science Alive Photo

Earth Solar System Science Alive Photo

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9 20kw Visp Complete Solar System

VISP are ultra authenti high efficiency modular systems with high performance, lasting brand name constituents and simple installation. VISP are available for residential, mercantile and institutional use. ALL schemes are expandable for greatest or most complete or best possible power output, with no need to replace pricey components. VISP is a top of the line scheme ready to be installed with the ‘plug & play’ technology, which makes the installation simple and very inexpensive.

• Brand: Vanguard

• Black Canadian Polycrystalline Solar Panels-CS6P-230
• Optimized Module Surface Area
• Efficiency Enphase Micro-Inverters-M-190
• Optional Internet Monitoring. Envoy EMU
• Professional Grade UniRac Aluminum Rails. SolarMount

9 20kw Visp Complete Solar System Photo

9 20kw Visp Complete Solar System Pic

9 20kw Visp Complete Solar System Pic

9 20kw Visp Complete Solar System Photo

9 20kw Visp Complete Solar System Pic

9 20kw Visp Complete Solar System Photo

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Watt Solar Panel Weatherproof Warranty

The Sunforce 260-Watt Crystalline Solar Kit comes finish with two 130-Watt solar panels, 30 A digital charger controller, 200W inverter, wiring, brackets, screws, and a voltage tester. The solar panels have aluminum frames for extended outdoor use. The bypass diode minimizes the power drop caused by shade. This kit is idealisti for RVs, homes, boats, back-up and remote power use, 12 volt battery charging, and solar power stations, pumps, and lighting equipment. The solar panels have high-efficiency Crystalline solar cells. This kit is easy to install and totally maintenance-free. The solar panels are totally weatherproof, and come with a 25-year fixed warranty. Connect multiple panels for more power.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51772 in Automotive
• Brand: Sunforce
• Model: 37126

• High efficacy crystalline solar panels
• Ideal for 12 volt battery charging and use in remote location
• Completely weatherproof for adde durability
• Connect multiple kits for more power
• Includes: 2 x 130 watt solar panels, 30 A digital charger contoller, 200 W inverter, wiring, brackets, screws, and a voltage tester

Watt Solar Panel Weatherproof Warranty Picture

Watt Solar Panel Weatherproof Warranty Image

Watt Solar Panel Weatherproof Warranty Picture

Watt Solar Panel Weatherproof Warranty Image

Watt Solar Panel Weatherproof Warranty Photo

Watt Solar Panel Weatherproof Warranty Picture

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful.
Sunforce 37126, 260 watt Solar Kit
By Walt
I bought this kit about 3 months ago. Took some time to peace everything together required to install it. First off,the instructions are useless. The power inverter that comes with the kit is useless. It’s made to use in your car for a laptop or some other small electronic equipment like a small TV and a light? (maybe) I purchased a Xantrex Prowatt SW1000 and the remote switch from Amazon, WORKS GREAT! The battery tester is another useless piece of junk included in the kit. It’s just two diods that light up.(YOU WILL NOT GET WHAT IS PICTURED IN THE KIT). The mounting brackets for the solar panels are really not practical but could be used if you have nothing else and plan on mounting your panels nearly flat on the surface of your roof. But I would not recommend that unless your roof points due South and is at the right pitch for your location. I made a frame out of angle iron that works very well. The charge contoller works,(at least mine did) but it’s not the best. (MINIMAL PROFROMACE AT BEST) I would suggest a MPPT charge controller like a Morningstar, Tristar TS-MPPT-45. The panels seem to work very well so far. They do work in low light conditions. I have been able to fully charge four T105 batteries everyday that have 60%-65% of their charge left. But with the Sunforce charge controller it takes all day long in full sun. I have ordered the Tristar 45 and I’m sure I will be able to charge the battery bank in much less time. Just do your homework and you’ll find the same answers. Also note that Sunforce customer service is a joke. Simon will tell you all kinds of silly things before he will give you an RMA to return product. My friend bought two kits when I bought mine and he had to return both of the charge controllers as defective right out of the box. It’s been over 6 weeks now and nothing. Simon does not answer his emails and they have not returned his charge controllers to date! Also please note that the solar panels IN THIS KIT ARE Polycrystalline and not MONOCRYSTALINE. The discription is really not accurate. It reads “The Sunforce 260 watt crystalline solar kit”. It does not tell you anywhere in the add or on their website if the product is Poly or Mono???? Buyer beware.
Bottom line: Amazon is awesome and very easy to do business with and their customer service is very good. SUNFORCE is not straight forward with their discription in the ad, you will not get what is pictured and customer sevice is terrible!!
I really hope my feedback helps and good luck with your solar project.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
Works with a little tweaking.
By majikwands
Panels worked like a charm. It would have been easier if it had any REAL instructions to build a frame or mounting system.. Had to get my 8 grade geometry books out to figure out how to build a sold frame from angle iron purchased separately.. the tester was not what was displayed in the ad.. just a diod on two wires. But after 5 days of struggles and an additional $200 in parts (and another $200 for batteries), it works like a charm and powers my electric fence and work shed lights. Hopeing to get a larger setup next year to ‘grid tie’ into our electricity. But for now, it’s still working after 2 months of straight use.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful.
Awesome performance
By Blair
I was surprised by the quality of the panels upon arrival. Very well built. The ease of installation and overall performance are great!! Makes supplementing grid power a breeze. My only gripe(s) are the picture on Amazon shows a digital test meter for checking solar performance. But it actually came with a dinky LED light with a wire attached for testing! Also read the operation manual for the charge controller at least TWICE. This unit can be a little confusing to understand the display if you don’t. Overall I am very pleased with its performance but its very pricey.

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Powerfilm F15 1200 Folding Solar Charger

PowerFilm F15-1200Ultra lightweight ultra pact and ultra portable.The Powerfilm 20 Watt Foldable Solar Charger (F15 – 1200) is the middle ground of the Foldable Solar chargers and weighs just underneath 1 lb. It formulates 1.2 Amps at 15.4 Volts and folds up into a 10.5 in. x 6.5 in. rectangle.The F15-1200 Foldable Solar Charger is the next step up in portable power and charging needs fabricating more power and opening up further and added applications. Utilization of the included 12 V Female Barrel accessory makes using the F15-1200 Foldable Solar Charger exceedingly easy and convenient. Essentially replacing a vehicle’s battery for powering small- to medium-sized gadgets such as a book or electric inverter the F15-1200 is a perfective addition to outdoor supplies.Folded Weight: .9 lbsOperating Voltage: 15.4Operating Current: .1.2Folded Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.5 x 0.6Unfolded Dimensions: 30 x 30.5Output Cord & connectorsAll PowerFilm® authorized accessaries include marine-grade ponents with connectors that match the PowerFilm® Series output cord. Product : POWERFILM F15-1200 20W FOLDING SOLAR CHARGER Manufacturer : POWERFILM Manufacturer Part No : F15-1200 UPC : 818040000191

• Color: Black
• Brand: POWERFILM
• Model: F15-1200
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00″ h x 6.50″ w x 11.00″ l, 1.80 pounds

• Ultra Compact
• POWERFILM F15-1200 20W folding solar charger
• Easy to Use
• Includes 12 volt CLA

Powerfilm F15 1200 Folding Solar Charger Pic

Powerfilm F15 1200 Folding Solar Charger Image

Powerfilm F15 1200 Folding Solar Charger Image

Powerfilm F15 1200 Folding Solar Charger Photo

Powerfilm F15 1200 Folding Solar Charger Pic

Powerfilm F15 1200 Folding Solar Charger Image

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful.
Military technology and durability.
By Techhy
First of all, all powerfilm folding panels come with an RA-2 adapter, which connects to the marine connector provided on the panel, this adapter provides a CIG-LITER (AUTO DC JACK). (This is hardly mentioned in most literature.)
This is only one of many powerfilm panels I have purchased. I ALWAYS test them prior to gifting them, both to check that the gift is functional, and to develop a sense for the quality of the flexible PV technology. These panels have produced every single rated watt, and perform gloriously in low sun conditions (20-30% in full cloud cover). There are no other true comparitive competions available. (Brunton, etc which are heavier, bigger, and more expensive, as well as less rugged). I have purchase all of the models available not just the 20w unit, and I find the 20 & 30w to be the most useful, however I find myself never leaving home without the 60w one since it will power my laptop directly (with no adapters!) even in cloudy conditions. And even the 60w is the size of the laptop, not a bad rig. (The 20W here is the size of a typical notepad!) On all of the models, I used a sharpie (silver/black/red depending on panel fabric color) to indicate the “fold lines” otherwise it is a challenge to fold back the way it was manufactured without spending some time figuring it out each time. So I would suggest to Powerfilm company= Put a hint of how to close it up imprinted on the fold lines, and also= offer the marine connector as an accessory so we can make our own ends! And THAT my friend is an EXCELLENT product which prompted my review, normally I only leave reviews for terrible products to warn away buyers, but this time I decided POWERFILM is company I should invest in! (great quality and true ratings!)

Further note: The panel outputs above ratings even when laying on a hot van roof (tested at 157F) in full direct sun exposure on a 111F (not exaggerating) Texas “heat wave” summer day, however even though it achieved decent rating in such conditions, it is still derated from it’s actual ability if the panel is kept cool, so I suggest putting the panel on the grass, a table, or suspending it so that the breeze can cool it underneath during such extreme conditions. (not on hot pavement!) The thermal derating factor is less with this panel than others tested, but it is the difference between the laptop charging properly or cycling (my laptop tested at 20.8Watts MIN requirement). It is similar to the video on YouTube where the output decreases after the panel is SHOT FULL OF HOLES with a pistol several times, but still outputs nicely (Heat has the same effect without the bullet holes!). In my case the borderline is the rated value of 20watts. (In such a case I use either a 30w panel, or a combination totaling 30w or better, but it is something to be aware of that is inherent with ALL solar panels of all kinds…)

Occasionally you will find these panels for around $10/watt on Amazon. YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THE CHANCE TO OWN THEM IF YOU WERE INTERESTED ENOUGH TO READ THIS ENTIRE REVIEW.
Enjoy the great outdoors while we still the “liberty” to do so!

Now a “lesson” in solar power: (not “review” related, but here goes…)
Your device (lets assume a laptop for discussion) will have a WATT rating, there will be a label on the adapter- however that rating is for the AC ADAPTER, your laptop will be lesser in reality. So the best way to find out is to use a DC ADAPTER (Automobile 12volt to PC power voltage – they are as low as $15). The reason for this is because you will not need an inverter (or the extra wattage to power it). You can use a DC AMP METER(google how to do that if you do not know) to determine the ACTUAL current, lets say 1.1amp at 14.5volts for example is what you measure. The voltage printed on the adapter/laptop will not need to be measured. So the WATTAGE is VOLTS x AMPS (14.5×1.1) = 15.95WATTS. Now you know a 20W panel will suffice for this device (with 4 watts “left over” to use a splitter to charge a cellphone or whatever!). The values are taken from a little netbook, not a full sized laptop which consumes nearly exactly 20W. TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION the laptop may not charge AND run at the same time, so it may require charging up while OFF, and RUNNING when the battery is charged up, or RUNNING with the battery removed (pray for no clouds!). The reason for this is that when the battery is charging it will consume “extra watts” – typically around 28W to CHARGE & RUN simultaneously. (You can test for this too by measuring when charging & running!) Charging RADIOS and CELLPHONES are not as complicated since they typically charge at constant rates. Using battery chargers (AA/AAA etc.) offers no real technical challenge- But there is VERY little online help for learning about portable PV systems. I am certain IF powerfilm started a blog for this it would help. I would offer a great many suggestions that will not fit in this Amazon review department. Powerfilm would sell many more of these if people had a way to learn this stuff- I know this because everyone I introduce to this technology buys it for themselves.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Simply awesome!
By J. Masotti
What’s not to like? It’s compact and lightweight, and generates a solid 20W on a sunny day.
Near perfect camping accessory. Worth every penny.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Works great and is very portable.
By S. Leiphart
I bought a Powerfilm F15-1200 20-watt folding solar panel and an RA-9 charge controller to go with it a couple months ago. (Thankfully my purchase preceded the recent $100+ increase in price.) I took them to Haiti with me for a 3 week missions trip the end of June 2011. I needed to charge my little Netbook computer plus a few dozen AA batteries that were in everything I and my accompanying team members used: flashlights, cameras, air mattress pumps, etc. Since the 12 volt 20 watt panel won’t directly run the 19 volt 16 watt Netbook car adapter (I’ll explain why later) I also brought two small 48 amp-hour 12 volt lead acid Gel Cell batteries along. (One would have been plenty.) This 20 watt panel and the RS-9 controller in series charged the 12 volt batteries. (These were 12 volt batteries I had bought for a computer UPS which ended up not needing them.) The charge controller is necessary to prevent the panel, which can produce up to 18 volts if not limited, from continuing to charge the 12 volt battery beyond the 13-14 volts which is the maximum for a 12 volt battery. If the charge continues, the excess voltage will be converted to heat and the battery will literally cook itself to death. The charge controller limits the voltage to the maximum safe voltage for the battery and reduces the current as the battery approaches the fully charged state.

This 20-watt panel and the charge controller worked as they were supposed to work and were extremely reliable. The folding solar panel is small and light weight and is “obviously” intended to be portable. However, the Ra-9 charge controller built specifically for this application and sold supplied by Powerfilm is a “permanent”, “screw it to the wall” design. If you look at the picture of the device, it is about 2 inches by 2 inches on the square top. BUT, it is about 1.5 inches high with two big ears with screw holes in them. Internally, the “potted” resin filled chamber with the electronics is only about 5/8 of an inch. the extra 3/4 inch or so of empty space and the big screw hole ears is just wasted space! Before I left for my trip, I took wire cutters and chopped away all the bottom plastic that was empty space and lopped the ears off with it. Now my “customized” controller is about 1/2 as big as it was when it arrived and is much more of what a portable solar panel should have.

With Powerfilm branded panels, they add what appear to be totally custom / proprietary “marine grade” connectors on everything. These connectors appear to be very high quality and water tight. They are great if you want to buy only their Powerfilm branded or approved devices, but to adapt to any other non-Powerfilm device, you will need to chop those connectors off and improvise some other connector arrangement.

My Powerfilm 20 watt panel combined with the charge controller worked great for the solid 3 weeks of charging I used during my trip to the outer reaches of Haiti well beyond the run of the power lines. I had more power than I knew what to do with since the sun was nearly straight up and blazing every single day!

Oh… the 12 volt 20 watt to 19 volt 16 watt conundrum with my Netbook. The problem isn’t the with the 20 watt panel or the “average” power requirement, it is a problem with the way that charger power is made. To get 19 volts from a 12 volt supply, what is used is called a “charge pump” in the 12 volt adapter. This is a high speed oscillator circuit which charges a tiny capacitor to 12 volts. Then it quickly reverses that capacitor and connects it in series with the original 12 volt power source. This gives 24 volts. This 24 volts is then used to charge yet another capacitor to the needed voltage; in my case for my Netbook it was 19 volts. This 19 volts is then sent out the output to power/charge the Netbook computer. This oscillation of charging the tiny capacitors and flipping their polarity occurs hundreds of thousands of times per second. The problem is that this oscillation causes the power to be drawn from the 12 volt source (i.e. the solar panel) only part of the time. While the tiny capacitors are being charged, the 12 volt power is being used. While the circuit is flipping the capacitors around, it is not being used. Therefore, during the charging time, up to double the “average” draw is being taken and is “made up for” by not drawing anything while the capacitors are being flipped. So, the average power needed is only 16 watts in my case, but about 1/2 the time up to 32 watts are needed and the other half of the time 0 watts are needed. This panel can produce only 20 watts peak even for the tiny fraction of a second that more is needed, no more.

Therefore, this panel cannot power a charge pump “car charger” that is required to produce more than 12 volts on its output. This is not a problem with the panel; it is a problem with the way the power is used in the device’s charge adapter.

Theoretically, though I have not tried this, placing a small capacitor across the panel’s power before the charge pump adapter could solve this problem since it would charge from the 12 volt panel and could supply the tiny pulse of greater current needed by the charge pump. Perhaps I’ll try this soon and add a comment in that regard.

Cheers! Please do something good for someone with the power these solar panels and controllers provide.

See all 5 customer reviews…