Need Goal Zero Extreme 350 Adventure Kit real user review

[basicfish]

I am looking at buying a Goal Zero Extreme 350 Adventure Kit or something like it. After reading the reviews on amazon and the web, I am a little shy about spending $500 plus on a product that the customer service is bordering on subpar. I can’t build a system for much less than the kit costs, and it won't be as plug and play. I would like to use their system but I have had too many poor service after the sale experiences to step off in one again.
So if anyone has dealings with Goal Zero good, bad or ugly or knows of a different vender I would like to hear your experiences.

thanks

Ron

 

[Corey]

I bought the system last year will have a field review later.
I have used it during winter blackouts at home, and it worked great for running five of their led lights and charging two cell phones.

 

[Honu]

I think depending on wants its a great kit
yes I can build it for cheaper but that takes time ? and that time is worth something to me also the nice build and the meter to see battery level etc.. is all nice

biggest thing for me is the lights are bright and nice I can charge up my batteries for my GPS without having to start the truck or generator which I wont be carrying once we sell the trailer
the 350 gives plenty of time on it for lights and charging yet is not as heavy as a car battery type home made setup with the handle is much easier to use the silly convertor/inverter while a bit more $ is worth it for the ease of one item that attaches to pick up and move around and since many of my things are USB or 12 volt and a few are not my needs are filled for small electronics charging and again GREAT LIGHT !
having 4 of the lights in camp are bright with 2 kids and a dog in a tent its bright enough to see so much more than a regular lamp and headlight setup

have not had to deal with them yet ? have not had it long enough to comment on years down the road ? I think I have had some of my goal zero stuff close to a year though ? in 3-5 years ? who knows if it last 5 years chances are new things will be out

my basic kit is 2 of the 350 packs 5 lights and some cables and two 27 watt solar panels I recently added so cant comment on those yet ?
reasons for the 27 over the 30 is pack size and I got a great deal on them wish I bought 4 at the price I got them for these days we are doing more small 2 -3 night outings rather than long 2 week adventures so usually dont need to recharge them so the solar is more to keep them up than to do a complete recharge
if I was doing hard solar panels I might get another brand and make my own cables
again easy enough to pick up and move to where I want it so kitchen area gets nice light move it to tent at night so kids get great light to go to bed
do we need great light ? nope but its sure nice to have once you have it !

I seriously considered just getting a national luna pack and using that instead and would give that a serious look also as a option again weight and convenience won out
I might do a fridge test for fun ? out trailer has two 120 amp hour AGM killer batteries so never needed to run my fridge off anything else

again cant say but I think the 350 would be pretty weak to run the fridge off if that is a goal I would say more research is needed

 

[basicfish]

Goal Zero

Sound like you are using the the 350 like I would. I am on the Texas gulf coast, I would like have a 12 volt power system that could power a device or two and run 12 volt fans all night. Having solar to charge back up would beat buyin more D cells. For now we are just tenting it with a Springbar Outfitter 3, (me and 11yo son, Mom and Sis don't camp) If time allows this summer I want to build a expo trailer this summer that can support the frig. Having the portable Goal Zero will be nice when we go on the Boy Scout campouts, then it is just me in the Springbar and having more power than a d cell would be nice. ( son is in his 1 man tent with the other Scouts). I am not planning on running my Edgestar 63L frig on it, but it did do very well in a all stock 2wd 2012 Surburan at Big Bend over spring break.

Ron

 

[Honu]

we switched to a Kodiak Canvas 10x14 from our trailer

the D cells are one good example of packing stuff we have a black diamond light and a kelty light both D cells both throw off pattern light the bell kinda lights form goal zero are more like a bulb also they throw down straight really well where the kelty and the black diamond dont go down ! we also have a smaller black diamond light both our black diamond are the kind you pull the globe up on forgot the models ?

while the 350 is heavier than D cells ? its less hassle and superior light and no changing batteries !!!!

funny about the fan we have a large boat fan 12 volt throws out a ton of air is a bit energy hungry but truly can blow air big time ! might have to check how much it draws ? down size is its large !!! meant to sit in a port opening so about 18x18 inches across but again when we had the trailer it really blew air which was so worth it here in AZ
we do want a small tent fan ? or might just keep our super fan
I am going to see how long it powers my fridge (arb 45) as I am curious my plan will be run it till its cold then run it off the goal zero ?

 

[Fireman78]

I am awaiting delivery of my 350 kit. I use my Goal Zero stuff all the time. I plan on using this set up to keep the RV battery charged while it's just sitting , and then also to run my ARB fridge when I'm out in the boonies for weeks at a time. I LOVE the little speaker they sell for the Ipod. I bought it for my daughter at Expo last year but kinda took it over. The little electric coffee mug is sweet too. The customer service is kinda hit or miss on the communication end (leaving a message vrs talking to a person sometimes,)., but for the most part I've been happy with them. What Goal Zero really needs to enhance satisfaction is a live person to answer the phone at customer service. Regardless, I will continue to buy their products.

 

[Honu]

Called them up to ask a question yesterday about the nomad panels I have and their 4 port plugin thing
He said the 4 port panel plugin is for the other small panels that don't have parallel plugs
Got a human and he answered my questions and when asked about when the 4.7 to 8 adapters would be in he said honestly not sure but try radio shack

Figured I would test out the support
He was honest had the answers ? Very happy

Now was I lucky or are they improving ? Who knows just found it interesting might have to call a few more times to see
As people say its hit or miss with support ?

 

[Honu]

Thanks fireman you might cost me trying the speakers out now
Was curious about those


I know they have them at the Costco road show which is coming around again
Wish they had the 350 and 27 panels at the Costco road show

 

[Fireman78]

I just used the small charging panel today in fact. I worked a night shift, then went straight to coach my kiddos soccer match this morning. I plugged my phone into the panel and by the end of the game had at least half a charge. Of course people asked about it. Ive used the Escape 150 at soccer tournaments to let parents charge up video camers and the like. Solar rules!

 

[DesertBoater]

I've got a set of the speakers...bought one at REI on sale, and then another came with a Guide 10 Kit from the Costco roadshow. Nice guy at Costco, it was the end of the day and he threw in a demo usb-powered light-stick-thingy for no charge. The speakers work pretty well. They're definitely small, so don't expect a really thumping base, but they put out a good bit of sound, especially if you chain them together. I haven't been able to tell how long one charge lasts, as they still haven't died on me and I'm probably getting close to the 20 hour battery life claim on the side of the packaging. It's also a good piece of mind that they're somewhat outdoor-proof...leave them outside and it drizzles or a heavy dew falls, and they'll still be alright. Overall, I'm a fan, we'll see how long they last!

OTOH, the Guide 10 power pack claims that it can charge just about anything with a USB cord...I think my phone (Casio Commander) is one of the exceptions. The Nomad 7 panel will charge the phone via the 12 volt socket, but the power pack won't...weird, and kinda a bummer, but other than that, I'm stoked with it!

Cheers,
West

 

[Honu]

I know the forums said phones can be finicky ?

My iPad charges slow on the 350 compared to the puter ? But will have to see how it does overnight ?

 

[Fireman78]

I've got a set of the speakers...bought one at REI on sale, and then another came with a Guide 10 Kit from the Costco roadshow. Nice guy at Costco, it was the end of the day and he threw in a demo usb-powered light-stick-thingy for no charge. The speakers work pretty well. They're definitely small, so don't expect a really thumping base, but they put out a good bit of sound, especially if you chain them together. I haven't been able to tell how long one charge lasts, as they still haven't died on me and I'm probably getting close to the 20 hour battery life claim on the side of the packaging. It's also a good piece of mind that they're somewhat outdoor-proof...leave them outside and it drizzles or a heavy dew falls, and they'll still be alright. Overall, I'm a fan, we'll see how long they last!

OTOH, the Guide 10 power pack claims that it can charge just about anything with a USB cord...I think my phone (Casio Commander) is one of the exceptions. The Nomad 7 panel will charge the phone via the 12 volt socket, but the power pack won't...weird, and kinda a bummer, but other than that, I'm stoked with it!


Cheers,
West

I know this may sound like a silly question, but have you flipped the little on switch on the power pack? I too have the Casio Commando phone and use the battery pack all the time to charge it. The usb only gets power if the switch is on, the middle position. Also, try multiple usb cables! Some work, some wont. Or, the pack may be defective. My first one melted being charged with solar, but they replaced no prob.

 

[basicfish]

CPAP on the ranger 350

Well I have one more reason to buy the ranger kit, looks like I will be on a CPAP machine in the near future. The battery system for the CPAP is a 6 amp hour and for what it costs I could get the Ranger 350. So i have another reason to get a 12v power and solar system going. any sugestions on the best price dealer?

thanks for the advice

Ron

 

[Honu]

I got my stuff on Amazon ? went up a bit since then but the pack itself is still cheapest there ? or was

 

[kellymoe]

I have the Extreme 350 Kit, 4 30W panels, 2 350 power packs, 4 light a life and 2 Extreme Inverters plus all the cords and stuff that goes with it. The power packs are well built and hold a charge just fine. Both my inverters were junk, I plugged in a small radio to one and it struggled to get power to it, tried a small fan in the same inverter to see if that would work, barely turned the blades, swapped the inverter for the other and it ran the fan and the radio no problem. So one inverter needs to be returned, no big deal. The other day I go out to the garage and plug in a small overhead light to the one working inverter and hear a pop and smell burning plastic, second inverter is toast. I called Goal Zero about it and they were very helpful and sent out two replacements, only problem is that inverters they sent were the Sherpa Inverters and not the Extreme. Back on the phone this morning withGoal Zero and they are back ordered on the Extreme Inverter but will send them out ASAP.

Except for the inverter issue I have been very pleased with the product and also very happy with their customer service, the people I have spoke with have been polite and helpful. Getting the wrong inverter was simply someone in the warehouse stuffing boxes and misread the packing paper which clearly said 2 Extreme UI Inverters. I am hoping that when I finally receive the new inverters they will work fine, but the inverters do seem to be the weak link in the chain in this system.