Belkin Dual USB Auto
Charger and Micro Auto Charger – Never go "low power" again!
Reviewed by Robert L.
Pritchett
Belkin
Dual USB Auto
Charger
Released: April 20, 2009
$30 USD
Requirements: A working "Accessory" adapter in the vehicle. An iPhone or
other device that needs recharging.
Comes With: Two 3-foot charge and sync cables for iPod
and iPhone and 12-volt Auto adapter. 3-year warranty.
Works With: Any mobile phone or GPS device with
mini-USB connection. iPhone. iPod.
Strengths: Works out of the box. 3-year warranty.
Smooth solid surfaces. One QuickCharge port.
Weaknesses: None found.
Other Reviews: Apple Store
Micro Auto Charger
Released: May 2009
$20 USD
Comes With: Flush-mount Auto Charger, 3-foot synch
cable for iPod and iPhone. 1-year limited warranty.
Strengths: Solid. Flush mount.
Weaknesses: None found. |
|
Introduction
Keep your iPod and iPhone playing while you drive. Just plug the Belkin Dual Auto Charger into
your accessory socket and it will charge both devices while in use, providing
unlimited play, call, and stand-by time.
Features
- Charges two devices simultaneously via
USB, 1 amp (QuickCharge) and 500 milliamps.
- Quick-charge port to minimize iPhone
charging time
- Compatible with most cases that offer
dock access
- iPod/iPhone charging cable and mini-USB
cable
Or use the Micro Auto
Charger instead, for single port (1 amp) use.
What I Learned
I have two accessory
ports on my old Ford Diesel E-350 dash. One is dead and I guess I need to find
the bad fuse. The other is fine and the Belkin Auto Charger worked great in
keeping my iPhone charged.
Curiously enough,
nobody in our home currently has a device that uses the mini-USB adapter. If
you do not need the mini-USB adapter, the Micro Auto Charger is also available
with a 1 amp charge.
The black iPod/iPhone
charge/synch cable seems to be better built than the white interface cable that
came with the iPhone 3G.
While driving around,
the low battery message kicked in on the iPhone and I thought, "I need to
recharge, rather than "dismiss" and reached into my computer bag (I
did remember to pack it) and pulled out the Belkin Dual Auto Charger, connected
the cable and iPhone and I was back in business. Sweet!
I've used other cheap
"accessory" auto chargers before. This one looks and feels solid in
comparison. The round, smooth surfaces actually feel good to the touch. The
cables are also solidly built.
I am very impressed
with the fact that the iPhone really did recharge quickly off the 500 milliamp
USB port (instead of the QuickCharge port) compared to either charging off the
Macbook Pro or the Apple-supplied wall adapter for the iPhone.
I wish they made one
for the MacBook Pro. (See the other hardware article by Mike Gyver for this
month {June 2009}).
Conclusion
From what I've read,
heard and experienced firsthand, this is an excellent charger for small
USB-enabled portable devices.
