Portable Chargers – Goal Zero Venture 30
The use of electronics in the backcountry is no longer the exception; it’s the norm. With apps like Gaia (GPS) and Avanet (snow study/tour planning/map), a phone becomes a worthy gps and map tool. As we rely more heavily on electronic devices for everything from communication to navigation and weather information, keeping them charged in the backcountry setting is becoming a need that is hard to escape.
On a typical day trip, there’s no need to worry about recharging, but on multi-day tours or in the event of an emergency, being able to recharge your device is critical. The Goal Zero Venture 30 is essentially a lithium storage battery. It’s designed to be charged at home or when you have access to power and used to recharge small electronics like a phone, gps or tablet while in the backcountry. Here’s the scoop:
Goal Zero Venture 30
Goal Zero Venture 30
Size: 4.5 x 3.25 x 1 in
Weight: 8.8 oz / 250 g
Cost: $99
Shop for the Goal Zero Venture 30
The Venture 30 is a 7,800mAh lithium storage battery that can charge multiple small devices or a single larger device. The Venture is designed to be charged via a USB port through a wall outlet, but is also compatible with Goal Zero’s portable solar panels that are available separately. When paired with a Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel (a 7 watt panel), it can be recharged in 8-16 hours.
Charging the unit from a wall outlet takes approximately five hours. It is then set to charge a smartphone or similar device a couple times or a larger device a single time. The Venture 30 includes two USB output ports, so you can charge two devices at once. The shockproof, weather-resistant unit built for rugged outdoor use and withstood two weeks of backcountry abuse without notice.
I have not paired the Venture 30 with a solar panel, but it has served me well for maintaining a charge on my smartphone over the course of a multi-day trip and during an extended flight where no outlet was available. The interface is simple and a series of five LED lights indicate how much power is available or how charged the Venture 30 unit is. It’s a nice clean design for anyone looking to for a simple, portable charging unit for their electronics.
DETAILS
- 7,800MAH recharger
- Weatherproof design
- Solar Ready (charges from any Nomad solar panel or USB port)
- Built-in micro USB tip
- Dual 2.4A USB ports
