Solar panel

[Florida_Native]

So I have been employed by my company for five years now. One of the nice things they do is gifts for milestone anniversaries. So far I have narrowed my choices down to a $50 pair of bushnell falcon 10x50 binoculars, a deep fryer and a 7 watt solar panel.

I'm leaning towards the solar panel. I'm interested I. Doing some boat in camping and backpacking. The solar panel comes with alligator clips so I would need a battery. I just so happen to have a small deep cycle battery for my old trolling motor. This would be too heavy for backpacking but nice for ther camping applications. I also have an inverter so I could run lights and other items to keep my wife and kids entertained.

I just wanted everyone's opinion. Anyone have one? How often do you use it?

Thanks

[smdave]

7 watt solar panel is not very much.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Solar-Charger-Reviews/buying-advice

[Florida_Native]

Not even with a 12v deep cycle battery. I know out would be all day or charge the battery but my thought is if the other items have batteries: iPads, cellphones, etc. It should be plenty of power. The only thing I plant on powering without these is some Christmas lights for camp and a pump for the air mattress.

[akirkland]

Seems like a 7 watt is just gonna charge a phone.

[kerrdog]

I'd go for the set of steak knives.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Seems like the binocs might be better in he end.

[lookin4thekillshot]

I bought a Goal Zero 7 watt solar panel in a kit with a 4AA battery pack.  It says it will charge a cell phone in full sunlight in a bout an hour.  I bought it to power my Steri pen and never have to buy batteries again.  You can buy the 4AA battery pack separately and it may work with your solar panel??