Just received it today and;-The solar panel can detach from the case, which is a relief, because I don't intend to use the case itself. Note however that the screw caps are made of plastic and are easily damaged.
-The solar panel by itself is small enough to fit in a back pack, and attached screws lend it to being fixed to other objects.
-The solar panel can also detach from the little LED light on the case (which seems dumb anyway).
-There are a number of included adapters which allow you to link devices from the battery or directly from the panel. The battery is a little heavy, so if your device can charge directly from the panel then it's a good peice of weight to consider leaving behind.
-The battery came fully charged and so far I've used it to charge my IPhone and a professional camera, no problems. It's also a very nice looking battery.
-(NEGATIVE) I haven't found any connector included with this kit that allows the solar panel to directly connect to USB devices. So far it seems, you have to connect USB devices from the battery. I don't understand how the panel can directly support much larger loads than USB but they don't include a way to directly connect USB. As a work around, the panel can directly connect a 12v car cigarette style outlet which is included with the kit and there are USB cigarette adapters which you can buy separately, so it is possible, if maybe a little bulky. I sent Voltaic a question about the issue and will update when they respond.
-(ALSO NEGATIVE) The device doesn't come with much of an owner's manual. There are some basic instructions, which are probably okay for starters, but nothing to really read into or stimulate the mind. I'm a big fan of solar, and I imagine others who spend the kind of buckage on this probably are to, or at least they want to enlighten their minds with the expensive new toy, but sadly all that's included is a little folding paper with very basic instructions written in half a dozen languages.
-(POTENTIALLY NEGATIVE) This will probably never be an issue for users who leave the panel attached to the case as advertised, but on detaching the panel, it becomes apparent that the power line leading from the panel which connects to the battery/ other devices does not look like it's held on to the panel by very much and looks like it could easily snag on something and break, so if you are detaching the panel from the case like me you will need to use caution or get good at soldering..
(POTENTIALLY NEGATIVE FOR ANYONE WHO USES THIS AS INTENDED) The instructions advise to open the case when charging to keep temperatures inside the case to reasonable levels. I'm not a computer smart guy, but I know they don't like heat and opening the case to charge the computer every time would become a bit of a nuisance.
On other notes, Voltaic almost seems to be more proud of their battery than their solar panel. The battery is nice, however I don't think it is absolutely necessary. One of the reasons I bought a large panel is so I can charge smaller devices under more conditions. But I was also able to slightly charge a smaller Anker (10,000mAh) battery using one of the included adapters directly from the panel before the sun totally disappeared, so you can charge batteries from other companies, or at least it's probably worth a try if you already own a battery and want to save $100+. I'll have to play with it more tomorrow and update again, but probably don't feel obligated to buy the whole kit or the battery if you don't want to. Voltaic also offers the panel, batteries, adapters al-a-cart on it's website, for considerably cheaper assuming you don't need the whole kit.
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