05-03-2010, 11:47 AM | #1 |
Reader of Books
Posts: 1,632
Karma: 2697
Join Date: Oct 2009
Device: none
|
Griffin PowerDuo for iPad/iPhone/iPod
Just a mini-review on the Griffin Technology PowerDuo that I received today. $40 for a combo pack wall and car charger that works with the iPad (supplying 5v @ 2.1Amps for a fast charge), iPhone, iPod or any other USB device if you supply your own cable.
Both the car and plug chargers are made of thick black plastic. The prongs on the wall charger fold flat for easier storage and travel. The car charger is one solid piece and does not have any sort of fuse that other car chargers have. I don't know if it has a self-sealing fuse inside or just doesn't have anything, no specs on the web site say. Both units have green lights that let you know power is being supplied to your device. Both are small and relatively lightweight without extra casing. The outlet charger is more rectangle vs. Apple's squarer design and has some slightly sharp plastic edges. Inside the minimal packaging (no blister pack!) is the car charger, the outlet charge, a 3' (1m) cable and a "Griffintechnology.com" sticker similar to Apple stickers included with their products. There is no documentation, warranty papers, etc. in the box. Product specifications are printed on the outside of the cardboard packaging. The included cable is black and seems to be quality made with thick cabling and good stress relief points at the connectors. There is no marking on the top of the iDevice plug, unusual, so if it's upside-down you won't know until you try to plug it in. It is locking with two buttons on the side to squeeze to release the cable from your iDevice. Specs: PowerBlock (wall charger)
PowerJolt (car charger)
The PowerBlock sells for $30 and the PowerJolt $25 individually, or $40 for both. Individually they each come with a USB-to-30pin iDevice cable, the combo pack only comes with a single cable. Guess individual cables go for $15 each. For $10 more than Apple's 10W USB Power Adapater you get a car charger as well, although Apple's does include a longer cable and is white. These chargers have been blessed by Apple to work with their products, no error messages about "Not designed for this device" when plugging them in. I would have liked a longer cord, and rounded edges on the PowerBlock, but these are well made chargers from a reputable company. If you're looking for an extra charger for your iDevice you might want to consider picking this up. Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5. |
05-11-2010, 09:57 PM | #4 |
Reader of Books
Posts: 1,632
Karma: 2697
Join Date: Oct 2009
Device: none
|
gizmodo did some testing on charging your ipad..
|
05-13-2010, 11:09 AM | #5 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,449
Karma: 58383
Join Date: Jul 2009
Device: Kindle, iPad
|
Thanks for this info, Scott. Off to buy a Griffin....
|
05-21-2010, 11:28 PM | #6 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,449
Karma: 58383
Join Date: Jul 2009
Device: Kindle, iPad
|
My charger arrived and works as promised. I did one full charge after running down the battery. Thanks again for mentioning this, Scott. I'm going to order another. I wish it came with two cords, but I guess I'll buy 'em at Griffin if they sell 'em.
|
05-21-2010, 11:45 PM | #7 |
Reader of Books
Posts: 1,632
Karma: 2697
Join Date: Oct 2009
Device: none
|
yeah. kinda silly it doesn't come with two cords. but shop around. any old generic iphone cord will work, it's the charger that has to have the higher rating to power the ipad. i've picked up cheap cords for $3-5.
|
05-21-2010, 11:55 PM | #8 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,449
Karma: 58383
Join Date: Jul 2009
Device: Kindle, iPad
|
Sounds good. I probably have a spare one somewhere. My husband has amassed a scary tangle of cords from years of electronics. I call it his electronic tumbleweed.
|
06-02-2010, 08:30 PM | #9 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 8,501
Karma: 64095689
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Harrisburg outskirts
Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1
|
I'm not sure if it is available yet, but this Combo Charger by inCase looks cool. It only requires one gadget, not two. (Although there are times when you don't want to remove the car device to bring it into the house, so two gadgets can be handy, too).
http://www.goincase.com/products/det...rger-ec20024/3 |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
iPhone Freebie Griffin case for iPhone 4 arrives | HarryT | Apple Devices | 10 | 09-27-2010 10:11 AM |
iPad Whic iPhone/iPod App are you missing on iPad? | lukasfikr | Apple Devices | 3 | 07-24-2010 09:02 AM |
iPad Dictionary functionality on iPad / iPhone / iPod touch | kool | Apple Devices | 6 | 03-13-2010 07:42 PM |