What’s it?
HUBi 10k Photo voltaic Hub lighting & energy system
RRP £215
Stockists
Technical specification
- 20w Photo voltaic Panel
- Photo voltaic Panel Stand
- 2 x LUMi 12v lights and mounting hooks
- Foremost HUBi 10A unit
- All connecting cables
- Two yr worldwide guarantee
- We examined the HUBi 10k priced at round £200
The Lowdown
First impressions on unboxing, is that the HUBi 10k is a severe little bit of equipment, however It’s intuitive and simple to arrange and use; simply plug the hub into the massive sturdy photo voltaic panel, place the photo voltaic panel in the very best location to catch the solar and also you’re able to go.
I’ve lengthy been a fan of solar energy as we by no means camp with an electrical hook up, so I’ve a plethora of photo voltaic fairy lights and lanterns, and I even have a Freeloader iSiS solar energy charger. The HUBi nevertheless is in a totally completely different league.
In contrast to my present charger which can present roughly 2 full costs of my cellphone and 1 full cost of my iPod, the HUBi guarantees to ship 15 full smartphone costs and as much as 8 full costs of a pill. Fairly spectacular stuff.
There are a variety of various energy output sockets on the entrance of the hub, together with a 12v and a pair of USB sockets, all of which we discovered extremely helpful because the overwhelming majority of our gadgets are powered by USB.
The hub itself, which comprises the battery, will be linked to as much as 2 extra hubs, offering probably triple the ability, although with the flexibility to cost a smartphone as much as 15 occasions on a full cost (it takes between 7 and 10 hours to cost in regular climate circumstances), for our wants, the HUBi 10k delivered loads of energy.
We initially examined the HUBi over 5 days tenting on the finish of April within the UK. We’ve since used it on each single tenting journey we’ve taken since getting it in 2015, and our verdict stays the identical. It’s a brilliant little bit of equipment should you like to remain linked and need dependable gentle in your tent and energy in your smartphone and pill.
Professionals
- We love the truth that you possibly can add expansions to extend the capability additional by daisy-chaining hubs to one another.
- Nice vary of equipment, we significantly like the brilliant, LUMi lights that include it, it was very novel having such good lighting within the tent and never feeling like we would have liked to rush alongside our night studying with a purpose to save energy.
- There are two completely different kits to select from, relying in your finances and necessities, the HUBi 2k at £99 and the HUBi 10k at £179.
- The photo voltaic panel comes with an adjustable stand so it’s simple to angle the panel to benefit from obtainable daylight.
- 2 USB sockets and a 12v socket make the HUBi versatile, and excellent for charging all of our home equipment (iPod, cellphone, pill and audio system).
- We didn’t have to fret about utilizing our electrical gadgets as we often do, and will spend as a lot time as we needed utilizing our telephones, pill and iPod.
- The facility by no means dipped beneath 3 bars, and it in a short time went again as much as 4 (full energy).
- Fees comparatively shortly from flat in a few day and even costs nicely on shiny however cloudy days.
Cons
- A carry case would make life a lot simpler for campers needing to often transport it and I believe it’s loopy that 3 years on, it nonetheless doesn’t include and even have an non-obligatory carry case.
- We have been upset that our present 12v air pump wouldn’t run off the HUBi.
- The sockets that join the LUMi lights into the hub are fairly flimsy, and may fall out with ease should you occur to brush previous it.
- Having had my HUBi 10k since 2015, I’ve lately came upon that the battery sometimes lasts round 3 years, although in some circumstances it could actually last more. Changing the battery prices £60.
The decision
We are able to’t advocate the HUBi 10k sufficient, for longer tenting journeys it’s extremely sensible and delivers reliable energy, which was greater than ample for our reasonable utilization wants. It’s simple to make use of, sturdy and delivers.
On account of me not studying the directions correctly, I made the unit lower out. It confused me and I didn’t know what I’d performed till I truly learn the directions (ahem), so as soon as I’d stopped attempting to plug in a 12v pump that was too highly effective for the HUBi 10k to deal with, it labored like a dream and meant we didn’t have to fret in any respect about utilizing any of our gadgets while we have been away.
After 3 years of use, my battery takes slightly longer to cost, however continues to be in full working order
It’s an excellent little bit of equipment with some minor niggles however for the previous 3 years we’ve used ours on each single tenting journey and it’s been invaluable. We’ve a whole lot of buddies who camp and a number of other have since bought the HUBi 10k and have reported again at how completely satisfied they’re with their buy.
Even when contemplating the common battery life of three years, we nonetheless assume that is the last word tenting gadget and we merely wouldn’t be with out ours.
Thanks to solartechnology.co.uk who provided the HUBi for us to assessment.
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