This is a great dual port car charger.
Unlike a lot of dual USB chargers out there, it puts out a good 5v 2A current out of the top jack, and an above average 5v 1A current out of the bottom jack.
If you use a car dock (especially the Google/HTC Nexus One Car Dock) you can charge your phone and run your dock with a regular high quality Micro USB 2 cable. This saves a lot of headache if you are using a single Car DC jack for multiple devices. So, you can run a GPS Android Phone Dock, along with a standard iPod/iPhone USB 2 cable with no extra adapters or dongles. Mega space savings and clutter prevention.
The charger juts out about 1 1/2 inches from your standard sized DC jack surface. I can see why they needed to do this versus making it more flush to the car panel. The thing gets warm with full load and needs the extra space. I believe they made the Powerbolt Duo as small as they could for the price.
Speaking of price, this adapter uses high quality plastics and seems more expensive than its MSRP price. Although the metal contact pieces are not of a high conductivity metal, I expect that it would not corrode even with the occasional car style beverage spills and drips. The 30-pin Dock cable that comes with the unit is the standard Kensington iPod cable quality. The cable itself is flimsier, but it's reinforced where it counts. Apple cables usually become separated where the cable jacket meets the connector. The included Kensington cable will probably last a few months longer with heavy use because of its reinforced areas.
Here are my experiences:
2A Jack:
Fast Charge Barnes & Noble Nook
Fast Charge Nexus One (and probably all HTC devices)
Fast Charge and safely run Nexus One Car Dock using standard HTC or other premium Micro USB 2 cable
Fast Charge iPhone 4
Fast Charge iPad
Standard Charge iPhone/iPod (all)
1A Jack
Standard charge all devices, but not enough current to fast charge or run dock + phone combo by itself.
The only way this could be better if it were smaller, and both ports were 2A.
I highly recommend this adapter to all roadwarriors and mobile device users! Kensington K33497US PowerBolt Duo Car Charger Compatible with iPhone 4, iPad 1 and 2
I second the other five-star reviews. This device outputs the power it states from both ports, and, consequently, can charge anything up to and including the iPad and iPad 2. It also runs cool even under load; it's a very well-engineered piece of gear.
Critically for Ford owners and other car owners whose cigarette lighter jacks are powered even when the ignition is off, this device has VERY low standby power draw. While this is not listed in the specs on the box, I asked Kensington tech support for the draw when the charger is plugged in but nothing is charging from either of the USB ports. The response: "We are sorry for the delay in the responce. We would like to inform you that the product(K33497US) draws approxmitely 5mA in stand by mode."
(I had another iPad charger that would drain my car battery in a few days when left plugged in but with nothing charging. The Kensington seems not to have the same problem.)
In short, of all the high-powered car chargers out there for iPads and similar devices, this is the one to get.
As far as the construction and features built into this relatively small USB adapter go, I am very pleased. With two USB ports I have greatly improved my car's functionality. Although I am unable to comment yet about the lasting durability, the device seems solid enough to last with frequent use.
Compared to the other two-port USB adapters on the market at this time I am not sure you will find one that is smaller and more flush to your vehicle's cigarette lighter. Yes, the marketing photos provided by Kensington are misleading (and likely photoshopped) about the size of the adapter, but I give them credit for packaging two high-powered ports into the device--about the diameter and just a little longer than a C-cell battery.
As far as features go the PowerBolt Duo probably deserves 5 stars. However, because the actual size is an inch or so larger than the size suggested by product photos, and somewhat mis-described by "Ultra-small size", I am knocking a star off my rating. All-in-all though, if you are okay with the additional size, I happily recommend this product.
I bought two of these, thinking that the picture showed a flush item, however, it does stick out of your car's lighter plug about an inch or so. I like the idea that two people can charge their iPhone's at the same time while in the car- great for travel, or for using the GPS without draining your phone's battery. Can't wait til I get an iPad and can use this to charge it in my car while on the road! One thing I didn't like was that the black cable that comes with it, does not fit an iPhone4 with a bumper on it. You have to remove the bumper in order to charge it. I would also have liked it if two cables came with the charger since it is a "duo". However, only one cable comes with it. This car charger will work out nicely for my family of iPhone4 users, we just have to remove our bumpers to enjoy. - Ipad Charger - Droid Charger - Iphone 4 - Gps Charger'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
