ProView – Dark Energy Backcountry Bundle Review
After using the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro on many scouting, hunting, and camping trips, the entire Backcountry Bundle was a highly anticipated product for me. I took the whole thing with me on a recent Colorado scouting trip to test it all!
My recent scouting trip in Colorado was quick, but the perfect way to test out the Backcountry Bundle. The conditions were actually nicer than I expected, and there wasn’t any rain or snow during the day, just very cold and windy. That being said, I intentionally abused the products a bit to see if they would hold up to what I might put them through in an entire hunting season. I dumped the Poseidon Pro and the Spectre 18W in the snow and running water and they held up great. I also have previously owned a Poseidon Pro and put it through many different trips. It survived lots of rain, snow, and repeated drops on rocks and hard ground.
Durability and Reliability
In my experience, Dark Energy has been the most durable and reliable charging system that I’ve used. The power banks are rock solid and have held up through plenty of abuse on my previous trips and my testing.
Even the Spectre 18W, which I was initially skeptical of, proved to be super tough. I even strapped it to the back of my pack and repeatedly dropped it on the ground, sometimes landing directly on the panel.
It’s flexible so it can handle some bending, and still looks brand new after all of this.
So far, everything Dark Energy claims about durability and reliability has proven to be true for me.
Looks/Style
Style isn’t a must for me for this type of product, but I always love blaze orange gear on my trips because I’ve become quite good at dropping things and leaving them behind, only to come back searching. The solar panel also serves as a great indicator strapped to a pack during rifle hunting seasons.
Features
The main features are on the solar panel. It features a tri-fold design and comes with adjustable/removable kickstands and two locking carabiners. I also loved having the sun efficiency meter for optimal charging.
The carabiners are super tough and the locking feature is great. The kickstands are a great idea to optimize direct sunlight on the panels. That being said, the kickstands are something that might not make it on my trips. They’re a great feature, but they aren’t the sturdiest, and when I’m counting ounces, it’s just one more thing to pack that isn’t necessary to me. I think setting the panel on the ground and adjusting it with rocks or something else is just fine.
Weight/Packability
For all the power this gives you, it’s extremely lightweight. At 9.6 ounces, the Poseidon Pro isn’t the lightest power bank ever, but the added durability more than justifies an extra ounce or two.
The Spectre 18W comes in at 20.5 ounces, which is great for a solar panel with this much power. My only complaint is that it isn’t the most packable thing ever. With a large pack, it can be packed inside, but it’s best to strap it to the outside of the pack, which isn’t my favorite as it can get in the way of pockets or get caught on things.
This is by no means a deal breaker though, and on long trips, it’s well worth it, especially when setting up a basecamp.
Function/Charging Efficiency
Dark Energy advertises that the Poseidon Pro will fully charge a phone 2-3 times. I’ve found this to be more than accurate as I have been able to charge my phone 2-3 times while also occasionally charging my headlamp, Garmin inReach Mini, and plugging it in to boot dryers.
The Spectre 18W doesn’t hold a charge, but can easily charge your phone or recharge your power banks within a few hours or less with good sunlight. Even when I didn’t direct the panel in the most optimal direction, it still charged my devices just fine.
What sets the product apart?
What sets this apart is the durability and reliability while combining lightweight solar power. There are tons of power banks and charging solutions out there, some good, some bad. To me, there isn’t anything out there that has accomplished what Dark Energy has with this bundle or their other products.
Who is the product for?
The bundle is awesome, but the entire thing isn’t for everyone. If you’re going on a trip shorter than a week, it’s probably a bit overkill and you’d be better off saving money and just getting the Poseidon Pro, the Poseidon Nano, or some combination of the two.
However, if you’re going on a long trip in the backcountry, this is a game changer. When I’m hunting, I’m on my phone a ton for onX, messaging, or wind/weather apps on top of other gear I need to charge. So on my longer hunting trips, this is a new staple for me.
The Final Word
The Dark Energy Backcountry Bundle is the best power solution I’ve found for extended trips in the backcountry. It’s extremely durable, lightweight, reliable, and efficient, and does everything as advertised.
The kickstands could be improved, and it’s not the solution for everyone, especially if you’re going on shorter trips, but there isn’t much to complain about with this at all.
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About the Gear Tester
Joshua Bachicha
I've spent my whole life in Colorado, where I gained my love for the outdoors. I have a deep passion for the mountains, wildlife, and hunting, and I'll be the first to admit that I'm still learning, but that's what I love about it. My favorite place to be is in the high country, chasing deer, elk, and anything else the mountain has to offer, just taking it all in. Time spent on the mountain is my form of therapy, and I'm constantly trying to sharpen my hunting skills while continuing to find my place in the industry.