Goal Zero: Venture 30 Review

Model: Venture 30

Year: 2015

Areas Tested: All across the country and in Europe

Days Tested: 7 months

 

 

Product Features;

• Built-In Micro USB Tip –Tangle-free charging for phones and tablets. Certified cables for efficient charging.
• Solar Ready™ –Built-in Charging Tip. No extra cables to lose. Charge up in 4 hours from USB – in 9 hours of full sun from the Nomad 7.
• Waterproof in Use –Dunk it, spray it, use it in the rain. Power that handles whatever Mother Nature can throw at you. No rubber plugs needed.
• 30 Wh, 7,800mAh Power Pack –Power phones (2-3x), tablets (1x) and more. Lightweight and packable from the airport to the trail.
• High-speed USB 4.8A across dual ports –Two high-speed ports capable of dishing out the fastest charge possible, at the same time. Power two devices at once or share with a buddy. Integrated Flood Charge optimizes your charging time.

*from Goal Zero

Familiarity with other similar products;

Solio Personal Solar charger(remember that thing?)

Goal Zero Nomad 7 Panel

Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus

Goal Zero Escape 150 Power Pack

Various Brunton Solar Panels and other products

The Goal Zero Venture 30 has some serious power and sports significant upgrades from the Guide 10 Plus. The unit is rugged and has both USB and Micro USB plugs to suit almost any charging need. The cable also tucks neatly into the body of the unit.

After charging this up for the first time in the wall I was instantly impressed with how many charges I could get on my iphone: about three full ones! When I used it for my Ipad Mini it almost gave almost two full charges. The blue charge indicators kept me up to date on how much battery life was remaining and how much was left to go when I was charging the unit. It also has an LED light feature that was great to help find charging ports on phones or other devices in the dark.

When I took the unit out to charge it with the Nomad 7 I noticed it took intense direct sun to really get the unit to charge well. Reading through the literature from Goal Zero they are very up front about charging times from the Nomad 7. If you want to get the Venture 30 fully charged from the sun be ready to leave it out all day to get topped up. Also make sure the panel is in direct sun as it will not charge the unit well in partially shaded areas or on cloudy days.

The bottom line for me is the Venture 30 packs a punch for its size and is a useful battery backup for charging phones or rechargeable headlamps and steri-pens in the field. In modern guiding we rely more and more on our electronics for navigation, communication and information. The Venture 30 is a way to keep all the important tools up and running when you are away from an outlet.

– Geoff Unger, IFMGA/ American Mountain Guide