They say first impressions are important. Sometimes that’s true, but long term impressions are usually more accurate and therefore more valuable. That is the case with Tim’s experience with the Dokio 200 Watt folding solar panel.
Tim was originally enthusiastic as the Dokio panels supplied enough energy for him to use his CPAP machine overnight. Asked if he would spend his own money on a Dokio folding solar panel, Tim originally replied, “Absolutely. If these burned up in front of me, I would definitely replace them.”
But that was two years ago.
Now Tim says, “I really did have trouble with the sun tearing the panels up. They became unreliable due to the connectors and just the material around them coming apart.
“If I spend $320 for this panel I expect it to last a couple years not just nine months, you know, and that’s the most I’ve gotten out of one of these so far. This is my third one and Dokio has warranted it for me, but the sun really just tears them apart.
“The whole point is to put this out in the sun
and obviously the sun is destroying it.”
“I had these panels individually drop out one by one. It kept on dropping down 25 percent of total output until I got down to just one panel. I called up Dokio and they said, ‘Okay we’ll send you another one.’ That happened twice so far. Now I keep this one away for an emergency.
“We found initially, too, that the solar controller that comes with it is crap. Now they’ve updated them.
“Although to be fair, their customer service was good. The product just is not. Absolutely the customer service was really good, and they bent over backwards to get me new panels.”
So someone’s out there they’re thinking, “Boy, the Dokios are such a good deal, I’m gonna buy them,” would you, after your experience, say yes go ahead?
“No. I really can’t recommend them. I mean if you’re gonna spend money, and a lot of us nomads are on set budgets, we really need our money to go far. I know people need them in their van because they’re small and light, but if they’re going to stop working on you, what’s the use of having them?”
In summary, we are not saying none of the folding panels are any good. We’re saying our experience with the Dokio has been bad and you probably should not buy one.
Thank you for sharing your honest opinion and assessment of this product.
Thanks for the heads up Tim & Bob. I had to give up my Nomad calling 10 years ago due to bad health. I had a three 80 Watt panels on my van that quickly charged my 100Ah AGM glass mat house battery. I used it heavily running 2 fans all night in the summer but never went below 50% on the battery. I sold that van to a guy in Arizona and write to him frequently. Those ‘permanent’ panels are still working perfectly for him 18 years after I installed them. — With the world going mad I have been considering buying a new battery and folding panels strictly for back up for Ham Radio and lighting as electric failure happens very frequently in northern Indiana. Your article will be very helpful in choosing a new folding array. Thanks to you both for the heads up!
Doug,
What was the name of the panels, or did they come with the battery?
Thank you.
Excellent article, do you have information on panels you recommend that have been tested with time?
Bob’s working on it.
Thanks for the useful information excellent article
Thank you so much Bob and Tim. Those of us new to all of these ideas are so blessed by your wise and honest updates. You opened the door on this wisdom. Barb
Great review AFTER use. Definitely more valuable information to me than an excited “just got these last week and they are wonderful.”
Thank you both!
Thank you.
Yes, and though I have 2 different Jackery power boxes; 500 and 240, I have not put them through the rugged out door test yet! So, I wouldn’t comment on them, other than say I am ready when the power goes out at home.
Thanks for the review! Very useful.
Should these items be removed from your Amazon store? I have one of these in my “cart” because of your recommendation.
Good point. I’ll pass it along to the keeper of the store.