This looks cool. Anyone out there have experience with one of these?

Why does everyone think that Meriwether Lewis was so great? We all know that William Clark was the leader of the Clark and Lewis Expedition.

Nothing like adding 13 pounds to your gear to make for an enjoyable camping trip.

It's got Power in it's Pack and It's not afraid to show it,
Show it,
Show it.

It's sexy and you know it!!!


Seriously, it does look pretty.

I know there solar guide 10 is awesome for backpacking, this could be nice for camping

TheBoMan wrote:This looks cool. Anyone out there have experience with one of these?

We have three of these, and paid retail price, and are worth every penny!! My dad uses one to run his c-pap oxygen at night, and the charge lasts all night! We use them when the power goes out at home also. We have several goal zero products namely speakers, lights, battery pack and the solar panels to charge various items. You can charge them up before you go camping, then as we do, use the generator to recharge them, or on a sunny day, use the solar panels (sold separately) to charge.

The real question: Will TSA let you carry it on a plane? :-). (seems like a nice thing to have on trans pacific flights if you want to work on the laptop and don't want to carry extra batteries or pay the cash to sit in 1st class.

No, the TSA should be fine with it. Rechargeable batteries installed in a device and carried in the cabin are allowed. The weight is going to be more of an issue, since you're going to have to lug it through the airport.

Isn't the point of camping to ditch this type of stuff? Seems odd to go camping if your just going to recreate your living room in a tent.

I normally appreciate the humor and creativeness of the descriptions. However, I have NO IDEA what this is, what it does, or why I should want one. Creative descriptions are great, but don't forget that you need to let us know about the product (and why almost everything included in the specifications says ”not included”). I love you woot, and this is the one site I visit EVERY day. Just remember sometimes we would like some actual info on the product.

It has piqued my interest a bit as well. But I'm really not certain where I'd find a use for it. Too heavy to take backpacking--especially if you added the solar panel kit. For camping, it'd be a lot easier to use your car's cigarette lighter socket and an inverter if needed to recharge your gadgets. Same solution while at home during power failures--neither an inverter nor this device will power the refrigerator, washer/dryer, or air conditioner, a large generator or solar panel array would be needed for off the grid living at home.

As another poster said, operating CPAP or other medical equipment while camping is probably the best reason to get one of these.. I have a friend who lugs a marine battery with him for that purpose.. This would be a more elegant and lighter weight solution.

I love my Nomad 7 and Rock Out Speaker!

I've been wanting to add to my Goal Zero collection and this is a amazing deal.

In for three!

magicwiser wrote:Isn't the point of camping to ditch this type of stuff? Seems odd to go camping if your just going to recreate your living room in a tent.

You camp your way, and I'll camp my way, if you don't mind.
;O)

Can this be used as a UPS? i.e.- charge / power devices while it is charging / plugged in so that if the power flicks off the devices attached won't lose their power?

chin4me wrote:Can this be used as a UPS? i.e.- charge / power devices while it is charging / plugged in so that if the power flicks off the devices attached won't lose their power?

No

This looks like it will be awesome for motorcycle trips. Throw it in the saddlebag and charge while riding, then have power for charging phones without worrying about whether or not your bike will start in the morning!

jbrooksj wrote:No

I wouldn't see why it wouldn't be able to. It's not intended for that purpose and would probably use more electricity than one of those devices, but if you plugged your devices into this and kept it constantly plugged in, if the power were to go out, this device wouldn't lose power and the devices that were plugged in would stay on... I'm not speaking from personal experience, but I don't see why that wouldn't be what happened.

ETA: Unless this device only works when not plugged in/charging and is intended to be charged and then used. Which also may be the case.

I carry a portable nebulizer for asthma but don't really see much advantage over a small battery w/inverter. A battery can also charge devices and is easy to carry & recharge. Am I missing something here?

jiggersgreen wrote:I carry a portable nebulizer for asthma but don't really see much advantage over a small battery w/inverter. A battery can also charge devices and is easy to carry & recharge. Am I missing something here?

This is a really big battery.

I bought mine at Costco with the GOAL ZERO Boulder 15 Solar Panel for $250, so this is a pretty good deal. I use it to power my telescope. It can also charge my phone and run my laptop, if I need it. I bought a USB powered light, it comes in handy during a power outage. You can plug in regular, AC powered devices, but it doesn't last as long as DC ones.

alanhwoot wrote:No, the TSA should be fine with it. Rechargeable batteries installed in a device and carried in the cabin are allowed. The weight is going to be more of an issue, since you're going to have to lug it through the airport.

I would check with TSA first. There is a limit on the number/size of batteries you can bring onboard.

I've owned one of these for about two years, and I paid about $129 on sale (new). I've raved about it so much one of my clients just bought one and a set of solar panels to go with it, so he can work all day from the beach.

I've used it to power a netbook and smartphone while camping (lasted a week with careful usage), to help power my power-sucking 17 inch laptop off grid for a couple hours, to power my home stereo in a park on July 4th. It is AWESOME!

Keep in mind three important things. 1: the USB slot will NOT power an iPad or device the requires a high power USB port, unless there's been an update to the device without a model nuber change. 2: It's not lithium - it's heavy but luggable. 3: it will let you plug in a three pronged cord, but it doesn't ground - the ground hole is just a hole.

Product website with reviews:
https://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/16//2:6/

and manual:
http://www.goalzero.com/creative/assets/guides/Escape150.pdf

Informational and informative post. Thanks. Have you tried charging the IPAD with the 12VDC source? I would think that would work. Certainly not as clean as the USB port but workable. Thanks.

xochiluvr wrote:I've owned one of these for about two years, and I paid about $129 on sale (new). I've raved about it so much one of my clients just bought one and a set of solar panels to go with it, so he can work all day from the beach.

I've used it to power a netbook and smartphone while camping (lasted a week with careful usage), to help power my power-sucking 17 inch laptop off grid for a couple hours, to power my home stereo in a park on July 4th. It is AWESOME!

Keep in mind three important things. 1: the USB slot will NOT power an iPad or device the requires a high power USB port, unless there's been an update to the device without a model nuber change. 2: It's not lithium - it's heavy but luggable. 3: it will let you plug in a three pronged cord, but it doesn't ground - the ground hole is just a hole.

alanhwoot wrote:No, the TSA should be fine with it. Rechargeable batteries installed in a device and carried in the cabin are allowed. The weight is going to be more of an issue, since you're going to have to lug it through the airport.

This is incorrect. A lead acid battery is what the TSA considers to be a "spillable" battery. It doesn't matter whether it is sealed or not, it matters that the acid can spill out if the battery is damaged.

From the TSA website (tsa.gov): "Spillable Batteries - except those in wheelchairs - No - No"

The first "No" is a "No" to carry on. The second know is a "No" to checked baggage.

We have a few of these at work for those who go out in the field. From what they say they work really well.

Will this power my 19" TV or my Directv Sat-Go at tailgates? If so, how long? Lightweight option to the deep cycle marine battery I use now.

travisd55 wrote:Informational and informative post. Thanks. Have you tried charging the IPAD with the 12VDC source? I would think that would work. Certainly not as clean as the USB port but workable. Thanks.

should also be able to charge it from the outlet port.
I think what was being stated is that don't count on the USB port for charging, not that you can't charge those devices with this unit, just not through USB. I'm certain that the 12V and outlet would work just fine for them.

For those looking to use with a CPAP/BiPAP/xPAP machine, here's the Resmed Battery Guide. The size of battery you need depends on how high the pressures are and whether or not the humidifier is needed/desired. Most newer Resmed machines will run off most any inverter, but the 12V DC converter will provide slightly longer run time.

I am not an expert and have not purchased this item. Just another user passing on information I have found while looking for a portable battery solution for my xPAP. As always, check with your sleep doctor, sleep therapist, and/or DME provider before making any changes to your equipment.

Edit - And I am only familiar with Resmed. Respironics and other brands may have different requirements. Check their website, etc etc...

ciabelle wrote:It has piqued my interest a bit as well. But I'm really not certain where I'd find a use for it. Too heavy to take backpacking--especially if you added the solar panel kit. For camping, it'd be a lot easier to use your car's cigarette lighter socket and an inverter if needed to recharge your gadgets. Same solution while at home during power failures--neither an inverter nor this device will power the refrigerator, washer/dryer, or air conditioner, a large generator or solar panel array would be needed for off the grid living at home.

As another poster said, operating CPAP or other medical equipment while camping is probably the best reason to get one of these.. I have a friend who lugs a marine battery with him for that purpose.. This would be a more elegant and lighter weight solution.

I wish to use it for a cpap. Does it have the capacity to last 7-8hrs?

If you need pure power and the weight/form factor isn't an issue,
I've had this beast for a year.

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-XP2260-Instant-Portable-Source/dp/B004EIAADG/ref=pd_sbs_auto_7

22 AH, but it weighs 24lbs. The compressor works for minor tire inflation (heats up quickly), the jump starter has worked on a garden tractor as well as an old Dodge 440. Very handy in a power outage.

arismella wrote:Please, somebody, stop me from being "that guy" commenting on the historical inaccuracies of this write-up without even blinking at the anachronistic power pack it's selling. *breathes*

The writers know where your cube is. (That should suffice.)

Does anyone know how long this thing can hold a full charge for? It'd be great to have for emergencies, but not if I have to recharge it every couple of weeks. That would kind of defeat the purpose.

mitchells2003 wrote:Does anyone know how long this thing can hold a full charge for? It'd be great to have for emergencies, but not if I have to recharge it every couple of weeks. That would kind of defeat the purpose.

It says shelf life 2-3 months.

kbsig106 wrote:It says shelf life 2-3 months.

The shelf life is about 6 months. We (GOAL ZERO) recommend that you have it plugged into some type of power source all the time. So, when the power goes out, or you are loading up the car to go camping, you know you have a full battery, and you don't have to worry about the shelf life. If you cannot have it plugged in, we recommend that you recharge it every two to three months to maintain it properly.

srldmd wrote:I wish to use it for a cpap. Does it have the capacity to last 7-8hrs?

This GOAL ZERO Escape 150 is good for CPAP users that do not have to use their humidifier. You can expect 7 to 9 hours on a CPAP machine without the humidifier running.

goalzero wrote:The shelf life is about 6 months. We (GOAL ZERO) recommend that you have it plugged into some type of power source all the time. So, when the power goes out, or you are loading up the car to go camping, you know you have a full battery, and you don't have to worry about the shelf life. If you cannot have it plugged in, we recommend that you recharge it every two to three months to maintain it properly.

If it can be plugged in at all times, is there smart/trickle charging intelligence in it that will not prematurely age the battery? Also, from the product's page (https://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/16//2:6/), there is a broken link
(http://www.goalzero.com/pdf/HowtoReplace.pdf) which implies that the battery is field replaceable. Is the battery field replaceable? If yes, what are the specifications for the replacement battery and the procedure? Thanks and BCNU//jle