Solio Mag Handheld and PDA Charger

I purchased the Solio Mag S224-C37U handheld and PDA Chargerto use on a 9 week mountain bike trip. I own a Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger (Silver) and was pleased at how it kept my Garmin Edge 305 charged during all day training rides. I stepped up to the Solio Mag for more battery charging capacity and for the sturdier magnesium alloy case.Unfortunately it did not work with my Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS GPS. In fact, not only would it not run the GPS, but it drained the batteries in the GPS in less than 8 hours. Normally they lasted about 25 hours. I should add that the older, cheaper, less powerful Solio Hybrid worked fine with this particular GPS. I should also state that both the Solio Mag and the two AA batteries in the GPS were fully charged the night before.Neither the Solio Mag or the Solio Hybrid will charge the batteries on the Garmin eTrek Vista HCx, but they should have enough power to run the the GPS and spare the batteries. The Solio Hybrid worked, but the Solio Mag did not work. I believe the problem was the difference in the connectors between the Mag and the Hybrid. I also knew to not push the button on the Solio Mag until I had connected with Garmin GPS. Occassionally the Solio Hybrid would drain my Garmin Edge 305 for no apparent reason.For a lot more money I only wanted a little more performance. On my trip it was often 5 - 7 days between stops in civilization, and I needed to extend the batteries as long as possible in between AC charges.However, the biggest disappointment of all was in trying to communicate with Better Energy Systems, the maker of the Solio chargers. There was a free tip offer included in the advertisement and in the box. However, I never received the promised free tip that works with the iGo connector. My "case" was closed with a promise of a tip that would fit the GPS, but none ever arrived. After the trip I contacted them again, but after a few days nothing other than an automated email has been received with my new "case" number. Interestingly it is a number several thousand larger than the first "case" number.I purchased connectors to fit the universal connector that was included, but they did not work. I ended up mailing the Solio Mag home, because it was dead weight. After the trip I learned that if I connected it one way then it would work, but not if I turned the cord around. I was connecting from a mini USB to another mini USB. The directions with the Solio are more a disclaimer than a helpful guide.Unless things have changed, the connectors and charging adaptors shown in this advertisement do not come with the unit. You get a mini USB, which plugs into the Solio Mag, to a larger "universal" USB, and also a mini USB to an adaptor for an iGo tip.I love the idea, and if it worked it would be great. However, when it does not work, don't expect any support from Better Energy Systems. You will get a "case" number quickly, but that is pretty much the end of the road. Good luck! Have fun!!

We bought this one because the other one we have is always being used. My kids love it because now they can use their Nintendo DS on long camping trips and I love it cause my cell phone stays charged the whole time. It was easy to use and the customer service department was great. I'll most certainly be giving these as Christmas presents this year! Great product.