Is the Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Worth the Splurge?

[@Rowsey63]

I’m very pleased with all of my Goal Zero products. I have several products that I’ve used for probably 10 years. The solar panels are true to their advertised wattage descriptions too. GZ has something for every situation. Home preparedness or on the trail. I won’t use another solar product.

[@wanderingoutyonder]

There is so many power options out there it can get overwhelming try to figure out what is best - always helpful to see these reviews! We went through so many websites, channels etc trying to make decisions for what would work best for hiking, our van, and other needs

[@allaboutroofing2]

Goal zero isn't it. Look at eco flow and bluetti. Far better cells and current technology. 14 hours vs just over 1 hour charge times.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Hi, thanks for sharing! What kind of power station did you end up getting?

[@allaboutroofing2]

@@AdventureGearTV eco flow, I had to send back my first unit and my second unit requires unplugging and replugging the solar cable every couple days or it doesn't work properly

[@AdventureGearTV]

@@allaboutroofing2 is it a River 2?

[@allaboutroofing2]

Yes, correct. My first unit wouldn't display output watts on AC. Second unit works fine except I keep it hooked up to a bouge rv 100w panel and every day or two the input watts goes from about 80 to zero, over and over until I unplugging the panel and plug it back in, then it works fine for a day or two.

[@markjob6354]

*Be careful ! Not all USB-C Cables are created equal. The fact you are getting different maximum DC voltages should tell you these cables are wired differently. There are so many different USB-C internal wiring specifications now for the Power Delivery various specifications of PD 1, 2,3, and no doubt soon to be 4, which you would do best to use the specific USB-C cable that came with your device. This is especially true for devices which are rated for the PD 3.0 specification. PD 3.0 is 20 Volts DC @ 5.0 Amps. Volts times Amps equals total Watts output. 20 Volts multiplied by 5 Amps = 100 Watts. I think Goal Zero is wise in its design of the 4th Generation of the Sherpa 100 AC Power Bank in going beyond just putting in a standard auto USB-C cable detect circuit. With the plethora of differently wired USB-C cables now circulating out there, it is possible that by plugging in some cables one could actually get an instance of both DC power heading in the wrong direction between devices, as well as the wrong maximum voltage reaching a particular device. By manually being able to tell the Sherpa where to send its power, this discrepancy could be overcome. You would not necessarily damage a device used with the wrong USB-C cable, but the Sherpa may not be able to give the attached device the maximum charge rate possible if the wrong USB-C wired cable is used with the wrong device you want to charge up. I would also think there is a safety detect circuit within the Sherpa, which would protect both the Sherpa and the attached USB-C device from a cable short circuit due to a non spec wired cable being used with the device to charge. Apple Computer has a tech paper on this subject, and they think damaging a device by using the wrong USB-C cable with the wrong device is possible. P.S. If you only go for the SHERPA 100 PD version, you don't just lose the AC socket. Be advised you also lose the 60 Watt Solar Charging feature and the PD 3.0 100 Watt USB-C Output capability.*

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thank you so much for this information. It makes a lot of sense, and is very helpful in understanding the possible differences in cables.

[@jgg204]

Basically add $25 for a charging block so you can charge the damn thing. It's incredible they didn't include a charging block. To answer your question......yes it's a cable issue. The cable they include is 60W max. Ankler 100W cable WILL get 100W output.

[@PeterLenk-f6q]

I live in Europe and bought one of these at REI in the US. After only one month it packed it in. No useful warranty support from them. They obviously care nothing for their customers and do not stand behind their product. I will never buy anything made by these guys ever again.

[@bparkm]

Just bought the PD for a trip to Europe next week. Excited to see how it performs.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Congrats! Make sure to turn off all of the outlets when you’re not using it. I noticed that it loses power quickly if anything is on, even if nothing is plugged in.

[@jgg204]

All in all, I'm really not sure the use case for this device. They've stripped away the camping aspects (ie the 6mm port for Light-A-Life 350 lantern), and then they eliminated the individual Light-A-Life USB lantern from their line-up all together, instead making you buy (4) stringed together ones. In addition, they didn't even include a charging block with this. For camping it seems the Yeti 200X is the way to go, cheaper, and almost double the power capacity. And way cheaper actually....you can use a 20% off coupon on the already discounted $219 price. This Sherpa 100AC would only be good I guess if you are backpack hiking and camping. But then, you would just want to save the weight and get the Sherpa 100PD b/c you wouldn't be bringing AC devices. Again, I am kind of perplexed.

[@710Chri]

I bought the PD thinking it was the AC. Don’t go on Amazon while buzzed… so now I own both lol

[@AdventureGearTV]

Do you have a preference? Also, have you noticed any power drainage issues with either? My 100AC loses more power in storage than expected.

[@710Chri]

@@AdventureGearTV I just got the PD 3 days ago and the AC last night. So far I only charged small things like my phone to test it out. I’ve the the AC charging with my Nomad 50 solar panel I got along with it. It’s taking a while. I haven’t noticed any issues so far. But they are still brand new

[@KevinNordstrom]

@@710Chri any updates?

[@musicfashionstyle9269]

How long to take a charge phone.

[@dianethoroughman9541]

So after you review the products, do you return them to the store if you don't like the product?

[@AdventureGearTV]

No, I would feel bad doing that. I keep them, and sometimes give them to people I know.

[@dianethoroughman9541]

@Off Grid Adventure That is good that you have great ethics!

[@2WR467]

hype

[@rjbfreelander2]

Global leader, I beg to differ. Over priced and piss poor solar input specs compared to the competition.

[@jaredwhite489]

Gotta kill off the backround porn music. Can’t hear you

[@AdventureGearTV]

Ha! That’s a first.

[@marcovieira2032]

Rubbish I prefer tha trusti power oak k2

[@Caoimhin7-4]

5 pound.😂😂 just under 2 is the right answer.👍

[@allaboutroofing2]

$3 per Watt hour is way too expensive. Especially with regular lithium cells. LiFePo⁴ has become the modern standard with 2-3x the charge cycles, and much faster charge times. Goal zero used to be great and I'd pay extra for the name, but not when they have fallen behind technology and still charge an arm and a leg for their stuff.

[@AdventureGearTV]

The best feature of this one is that it’s the max size for air travel. Other than that, it’s very expensive.

[@tristancolliflower9885]

Milwaukee battery with their inverter adaptor is a good one. Cost you like $150@@AdventureGearTV

[@stevewoods8116]

This was something I was looking at so glad you reviewed it!

[@AdventureGearTV]

Hi, I think that if you don't need the AC inverter, the 100PD is a better deal. They have small USB fans you can run off of this.

[@DoritosResidue]

299!? I can understand if you are taking this on a plane or you want to fit this in a backpack. But geez if you are going camping /glamping you are far better off with the eb3a or river 2 . Goal zero and jackery are getting left behind. Especially because they are pricing themselves out

[@allaboutroofing2]

I couldn't agree more. GOAL Zero still uses regular litium cells and a 14 hour charge time. Uh, no.

[@Liimpy]

​@@allaboutroofing2 mine charged in 2 hours from 0% using the 100w C port on my bluetti eb3a.. 🤷‍♂️

[@jgg204]

They should have included a 6mm output for the Light A Life 350. So stupid

[@Liimpy]

They make an adapter

[@jamiew4824]

A PLASTIC PLUG SOCKET, SOME PLASTIC WIRES, SOME COPPER WIRE, SOME MAGNETS, A FEW SMALL NAILS, TINY TINY PIECE OF WOOD! NOW YOU HAVE A PORTABLE, FREE ENERGY, 110V, OR, 240V, POWER SUPPLY, THAT COSTS PEANUTS, TO MAKE, THATS, NOT, RELIANT, ON THE SUN, OR WIND!! SMALLER IN SIZE, THAN YOUR AVERAGE, LAPTOP!! BOOM!!

[@AdventureGearTV]

Sounds like you know exactly how to put something together! Thanks for stopping by.

[@mylo2619]

Great product review AND you drive a “Swagger Wagon!” Thank you.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Lol. Thanks for watching. This was a fun project.

[@samanthadodd8112]

I just got a 1500 watt solar generator for $600. Won't pay that for that little.

[@Koolala75]

What did you get and how do u like it?

[@samanthadodd8112]

@@Koolala75 I got a pecron 1500. It's on amazon for $899 with a $340 coupon. Only issue with it is u must have a 36 volt solar panel (not a regular solar panel). It has worked great on anything I used it for this week. Only had it this week so not much use yet.

[@Koolala75]

@@samanthadodd8112 thank you!

[@allaboutroofing2]

​@@samanthadodd8112 does the pecron use LiFePo4 advanced cells or regular lithium cells? Thats dirt cheap for 1500wh and 1500 watts.

[@samanthadodd8112]

@@allaboutroofing2 lithium ion battery. Hobo tech did an excellent video about it last year. If u look up 1500 watt pecron his video is usually 1st.

[@jgg204]

they don't even include a charging block lol

[@AdventureGearTV]

Very true…