Is this panel durable? I don't want it to crack, chip, or whatever on my camping trips.
487293
Well, I am not sure I can answer this as we only move it when we remove it from the boat and put it in our vehicle when the boat is being used. As long as you wrap in a towel or something soft like that, it should be fine. It works great!
487294
Yes, it's pretty tough. I leave it hooked up to my boat battery, and it's always in good shape when I return. I haven't used it on a camping trip, but it can maintain a boat battery on the Maine coast for a summer. I leave the regulator in the battery compartment.
487295
Yeah, I mean, it's tempered glass, if your worried, make a case so you can drop it, get pipe foam from hardware store and black gorilla tape. I'm not going to lie to you and say if you drop it dead center on the glass on rock that it's not gonna shatter. Think IPad glass.
2077970
I would say its very water resistant not waterproof. I have it mounted under my back bumper for camping. Its been there a year and works fine. The inside of the unit shows little sign of corrosion. The spring lid snaps shut and holds tight.
1474532
I'm not sure. We've only used ours at home. Never taken it camping. At home it's been pretty durable but that's based on not taking it down much.
833926
very durable. The side panel is made of matte steel. front and top panel is made from plastic with a touch of rubbery feel to it. Just be careful with the harddrive caddy. It tends to break easily. Overall it an awesome case
198193
If you're good to your electronics then you shouldn't have an issue. The frame is a flexible plastic and could probably be broke intentionally fairly easy but if you're not just tossing them around or mistreating them they should last. I've had mine for quite a while with no problems.
901848
I sank my little fishing boat in the ocean after a bad storm and a leaking live well hose. Bilged it out and got it back. The panel was fine! The wiring connectors going to it were all corroded. This panel is still functioning a year after the sinking, even the rubber switch covers held up, no cracks, not nothing!
1940832
It easily scratched with salt and sand blowing in microscopic particles in the air on the beach, but it didn't affect it's operation. I would say it's pretty durable. Actually, I was extremely happy when I bought it. It not only sounded great, but it was able to charge up my iPhone and radio.
410406
Glen, This would hold up just fine, provided sunlight isn't cast directly on the panel - that would make it difficult to see. If you want to avoid that, mount the TV a little higher than normal, and then tilt the TV downwards. That will deflect some of the ambient light. The viewing angles are pretty wide, especially horizontally. Thanks for your interest in Samsung products. --Mr. S
982327
Hi, Sharon. It seems to me that a camper would utilize a solar panel that is permanently mounted. A "hard" panel, as opposed to this folding unit would be cheaper. Perhaps 1/3rd of the cost for the same wattage. You're paying quite a bit more to have the folding/soft and light style. This unit is more for having in a car or boat, or even a backpack, and put into action only when needed-- and not permanently affixed to the top of a parked RV or camper, during the week, charging the batteries for the next excursion IMHO. But to answer your question, my controller inputs take two bare wires from the panel. So I modified the adapter (that has alligator clips) that the panel came with by cutting the clips off so that the terminal ends are bare. The controller then locked them in with screws. You could actually just cut the plug off from the terminal end of the wire coming out of the panel, but I feel better about chopping up an adapter than cutting the plug off of the panel. Anyway, I hope I answered your question without rambling too much. -Scott
50292
I've had mine for a year and haven't had a problem. Gone camping multiple times in it.
2237550
Several months of accidently sitting on it several times, mowing my lawn with it, running with it, and falling asleep with it on listening to audio books (I have accidentally put holes in walls while asleep) so yes it is durable within reason. I wouldn't recommend washing it or running it over.
2189584
The panels would stay intact. They're not easily snapped apart because you have to align them just right and really push down hard when you connect them.
564140
Thanks for your inquiry. No, it is not recommended that you walk on this panel. It can break.
888201
That is an excellent question. Truth be told, I wouldn't know precisely. My switch 8 out lived my solar panel in the durability. I have yet to find out why my panel stopped working. Anyways, I suggest to browse around and weigh your options. This is great for cell phones or as a rechargeable flash light. (Once you get the light for it) I hope this helps.
976705
Yes, it is durable. However we put on wall because too wide for the bedroom door. Also we have panels on the door that would not allow it to stick appropriately. It looks awesome, easy to put up, not delicate.
1784135
If you're asking whether it withstands frequent and repeated plugging and unplugging, I can't offer direct experience, since I've left mine plugged in for the several months I've owned it. But I was pleasantly surprised by the material quality, if that helps. It seems to be similarly constructed to, and equally durable with, the sync cables for iPhones, for instance--which in my case do get fairly heavy manipulation. The flexibility allowed me to do a long run with bends without straining the cable. And I'm extremely happy with both the audio and video performance (from an Oppo BDP-105 to a recent 40" Samsung DTV).
554910
The housing and flange are of decent gauge metal, painted to resist weather. Solidly built, although on appearance, the metal looks thin. Is thick enough to be rigid, but just enough thin to be flexed lightly into the roof cut out. Solar panel braces are strong and durable, no issues there and the panel is tough glass covered w/ a metal frame. Well built and durable. Just inspected this past July, 2013, 3 yrs on roof and no wx marks of any kind, no rust and paint not even faded! It's durable, John, I recommend to all my friends and a couple have bought and satisfied... Best roof solar vent on market. Buy the thermistor to auto turn on & off - it hangs in the attic and is worth the extra cost. The housing and flange are of decent gauge metal, painted to resist weather. Solidly built, although on appearance, the metal looks thin. Is thick enough to be rigid, but just enough thin to be flexed lightly into the roof cut out. Solar panel braces are strong and durable, no issues there and the panel is tough glass covered w/ a metal frame. Well built and durable. Just inspected this past July, 2013, 3 yrs on roof and no wx marks of any kind, no rust and paint not even faded! It's durable, John, I recommend to all my friends and a couple have bought and satisfied... Best roof solar vent... » Read More The housing and flange are of decent gauge metal, painted to resist weather. Solidly built, although on appearance, the metal looks thin. Is thick enough to be rigid, but just enough thin to be flexed lightly into the roof cut out. Solar panel braces are strong and durable, no issues there and the panel is tough glass covered w/ a metal frame. Well built and durable. Just inspected this past July, 2013, 3 yrs on roof and no wx marks of any kind, no rust and paint not even faded! It's durable, John, I recommend to all my friends and a couple have bought and satisfied... Best roof solar vent on market. Buy the thermistor to auto turn on & off - it hangs in the attic and is worth the extra cost. « Show Less