So here are my initial impressions.
Solar Focus SolarMio Pro
Packaging and Product Appearance
The SolarMio Pro comes in a swank, low environmental impact box. No plastic clamshell to offset the "green-ness" of the solar panels. It claims to be made in an eco-friendly, no heavy metal factory, which is nice on paper, but is to be taken with a block of deer salt as is anything from China. The Solar panel itself rests in the box, along with a black nylon bag with a clear plastic window. It also comes with a LOT of charger tips and a USB cable to match. It also has the battery pack and a nicely color printed multi-language booklet.Folded, the panel is 7.5cm x 22cm x ~3cm. The panel unfolds to reveal a row of six flexible panels about 3.5cm wide and 16.5cm long. Not the largest set of cells in terms of area or number. Near each corner of the mat, there are nylon loops for hanging. I would prefer grommets, but they are functional and it's not as if they need to handle a lot of weight. The unit is fairly light and easy to stow. In the center of the 6 cells, there is a male mini B USB cable about 48cm long. The end attached to the panel is epoxied in usual Chinese fashion, but is probably waterproof and hold the cable regardless.
Turn the mat over and you'll find two elastic straps. I was quite impressed with the retention design of the unit. The thinner strap is used when the mat is folded up to keep it closed. I am a bit worried about the force required to use the strap, but it works and it wont come open accidentally, that's for sure. On closer inspection, the sewing around the edge of this strap has me worried, and I most likely will carry around a rubber band or something so as not to rip it off. The second strap works in conjunction with the smaller strap when the waterproof bag is used for the battery pack and is sewn perfectly fine. Again, I was impressed with the foresight of a company in designing a product with so much waterproofing, despite the fact it explicitly states it is not for use in wet weather...
The batter bag uses a thick velcro band that in itself is fairly airtight. The user inserts the pack into the bag with the pigtail attached. Then the velcro at the top is sealed and the top is rolled down to create a waterproof pouch. This then slips into the smaller elastic band on the back and settles inside the thicker band, secure and safe from the elements.
The Battery pack is white and has a switch, LED, two female USB ports (mini B and standard), and a diagram printed on the back with instructions. The instructions were a nice touch. I found myself reaching for the booklet when I remembered the info was on the box itself. The USB mini B port was roughly cut during manufacture and had some gunky residue like rubber cement. Whatever it is, it was easily removed.
Included in the package is a USB LiON battery charger. I haven't used it yet, but I have seen reviews for it.
Function and Deployment
Here is where the honeymoon goes sour. The way the panel is designed, the mini B pigtail makes charging any standard USB device impossible. Moreover, it outputs unregulated 6v at supposed max 600ma. I have no way of verifying that right now. The only way to use it is to attach the battey pack to the panel, let that charge, and then use the pack to charge the device. There is no power pass-through, so you have to wait, a definite issue. This is a real deal breaker because there is no safe and easy way to charge without the pack. Deployment is simple, unfold and leave in the sun. It works in shadow and from reflected light within reason. It is flexible, so damage from dropping and other mishaps are not an issue. You could hang this from a tree and not worry too much when it blows off and lands in the mud.
I'm looking into a female mini B to female standard size adapter so I can test actual output in the sun using a multimeter. I tried hooking it up to my USB charged APC LiON battery packs, but it wouldn't charge. It could be insufficient light, or the panel's unregulated 6v messing with the device.
Final Thoughts
The unit is a mixture of large pros, and large cons. The care and foresight shown by the designers when actually designing the mat is impressive. Waterproofing, retention, and the smorgasbord of charging tips means anyone will be able to use this. Unfortunately, usage is where this solar panel falls flat. If you don't mind using the battery box, the charger works just fine. If you were hoping to charge your phone or gadgets with this straight from the sun's rays, you will be sadly disappointed.With the flexible panels and supposed triple junction cells, it is a shame that the designers couldn't have included a voltage regulator in the panel itself, or at least a pass-through for the battery puck. With that, it would have been the perfect backpacking panel.
Verdict: Skip
Unless you don't mind two step charging.
-edit-
12/6/2012
I finally got around to testing which pins are hot, and it turns out that it uses a non-standard pin-out for the 6v in. Pin 4 is hot, and pin 5 is ground, as opposed to USB spec of pin 1 and 5 respective. No one makes a pin 4-5 bridge, so if I wan to use it for charging devices, I have to fabricate one myself, which isn't actually all that bad, just a pain in the ass to have to do. Also, I'll have to regulate it down or up to 5v nominal if the panel specs are to be believes (6v).
The other alternative, and one that seems much more attractive at the moment, is to cut into the pigtail and splice on a new end. The included battery back is mostly rubbish anyway. It has stopped charging on 5v usb from a computer/wall wart, so it's effectively useless without the panel.
