Technology has infiltrated nearly every aspect of modern-day life, and that includes your time out in nature. When you once relied upon a pocket compass or fold-out paper map, now you turn to GPS, cellphone maps, and digital trackers. However, unlike the methods of the past, these modern conveniences need power to function. Normally, an electrical source is not available in the deep woods, but that changes if you carry the Dark Energy Hiking Bundle Kit.
This lightweight assortment allows you to use the sun to recharge your vital electronics. With all the components on hand, I ventured outdoors to test this bundle’s overall power-generating performance.
Hiking Bundle Charging Kit
What’s Included?
As the word bundle implies, you get multiple components for your next outdoor adventure. Arguably, the most important is the Poseidon Nano power bank. This is what gets charged and then used to distribute power to your electronics. You also get the multi-paneled Spectre 8W Solar Panel. This receives the sun’s energy and converts it to electricity.
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An accessory kit held aluminum stakes and carabiners used for securing the components. A MOLLE-compatible, TPU-coated zippered pouch for carrying the small components completed the assortment. Lastly, a 20-watt wall adapter was also a nice surprise, which would be useful when you’re off the trail needing a quick power up.
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Setting Up the System
The most efficient use of the system would be for the power bank to charge while I continued my hike. I accomplished this with the included carabiners and fold-out solar panel. My pack had numerous attachment points at its top and bottom positions, making it a breeze to secure the solar cell.
I fed the connection cord through one of the pack’s pockets and into the Poseidon Nano power bank, and that was it. Nothing complicated or intricate, just a few connections, and I was charging in minutes. Naturally, this would also charge without being attached to the pack, say while you handle other tasks around your camp.
The multiple attachment points on the panel, along with its self-standing design offers nearly unlimited configurations to absorb the sun’s energy. When I got back home, I plugged in the wall adapter, and it worked just fine. It brought my power level up to full capacity.
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Recharge Time and Efficiency
This bundle wouldn’t be beneficial if it takes far too long to charge or recharge. I timed the unit from its out-of-box charge until it became fully powered. I estimated that it took only ninety minutes for this to happen under partly sunny skies. Knowing that under full midday sun (especially here in South Florida), this time would be much quicker.
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For me, this was a definite plus. Its main and nearly only purpose is to charge the bank for you to distribute its power to your devices. Continuous powering and recharging will keep your cellphone’s battery full or your GPS unit from failing.
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Durability for Rough Adventures
Combining electronics and sensitive gear with the outdoors is always a challenge, and some meet that challenge while others fail even after a short time. As for this bundle, the durability of most of the components were top notch. The Poseidon Nano exuded toughness with its solid outer casing and simple design. Fewer bells and whistles equals less opportunity for failure.
The solar panel was surprisingly rigid when folded up for storage. When unfolded for receiving the sun’s rays, the double-paneled unit held in place firmly with no indications of weak corners where the carabiners attached to my pack.
The included accessory pouch, in my opinion, could have been a bit thicker and used a more secure closure, rather than its pull-string version. However, with me primarily using the MOLLE-compatible pouch, the accessory kit pouch’s construction was not a major issue whatsoever.
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Hitting the Mark?
Buying bundles can be hit or miss, depending on whether the assortment contains relevant and useful gear or non-essential fluff just to push up the price tag. The Hiking Bundle by Dark Energy absolutely fell into the first category. Everything included served its purpose and complemented each other. All components are nicely stored in the included bags and packs.
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Some may question the inclusion of the wall adapter since this is a “Hiking Kit,” but believe me, it was welcome for me and will be for you. It acts as a possible backup when overcast skies linger for days. Overall, this bundle hits the trifecta of success with outdoor gear…functionality, durability, and practicality.
This assortment allows you to stay “on” the grid when you are far off of it!
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