Griffin Technology PowerJolt for iPhone and iPod
Basic Information
| Price as Reviewed: | $20 |
| Company: | Griffin Technology |
| Rating: |
Review
Griffin's PowerJolt for iPhone and iPod is the same product, at the same $20 price, as the "2006" PowerJolt -- just renamed to emphasize compatibility with the iPhone. A modified version of our review of that product appears here.
We liked Griffin's original PowerJolt, which included both a car charger and USB dock-connector cable for $25. The current version offers more functionality at a lower price of only $20.
The PowerJolt's adapter plugs into your car's accessory ("cigarette lighter") jack and provides power to any device connected to the the PowerJolt's USB port: You can charge an iPod shuffle by plugging it directly into the USB port, or you can charge an iPhone, a fourth-generation (4G) or later full-size iPod, an iPod mini, or an iPod nano using the included 4-foot USB-to-dock-connector cable. In addition, the PowerJolt includes a USB-to-mini-USB cable; this cable can be used to charge an iPod connected to one of Griffin's dock-connector iTrip FM transmitters, which provide a mini-USB pass-through port. The mini-USB cable can also be used to charge third-party electronic devices, such as a mobile phone or Sony PSP, with a mini-USB charging port.
A status light on the adapter indicates charging status: yellow-orange when your iPod or iPhone is charging, green when fully charged. A nice touch is an accessible 2-Amp fuse that protects your iPod or iPhone from surges and can be easily replaced if necessary.
In our review of the original PowerJolt, we suggested that its $25 price was justified by the inclusion of a dock-connector cable similar to the one Apple sells for $19. With a better design, lower price, and an additional cable, the current $20 PowerJolt is that much better a bargain.
--Dan Frakes
We liked Griffin's original PowerJolt, which included both a car charger and USB dock-connector cable for $25. The current version offers more functionality at a lower price of only $20.
The PowerJolt's adapter plugs into your car's accessory ("cigarette lighter") jack and provides power to any device connected to the the PowerJolt's USB port: You can charge an iPod shuffle by plugging it directly into the USB port, or you can charge an iPhone, a fourth-generation (4G) or later full-size iPod, an iPod mini, or an iPod nano using the included 4-foot USB-to-dock-connector cable. In addition, the PowerJolt includes a USB-to-mini-USB cable; this cable can be used to charge an iPod connected to one of Griffin's dock-connector iTrip FM transmitters, which provide a mini-USB pass-through port. The mini-USB cable can also be used to charge third-party electronic devices, such as a mobile phone or Sony PSP, with a mini-USB charging port.
A status light on the adapter indicates charging status: yellow-orange when your iPod or iPhone is charging, green when fully charged. A nice touch is an accessible 2-Amp fuse that protects your iPod or iPhone from surges and can be easily replaced if necessary.
In our review of the original PowerJolt, we suggested that its $25 price was justified by the inclusion of a dock-connector cable similar to the one Apple sells for $19. With a better design, lower price, and an additional cable, the current $20 PowerJolt is that much better a bargain.
--Dan Frakes
Specs
| iPod Models Supported | 4G (Click Wheel or IPP), 5G (Video), Mini, Photo, 1G Shuffle (White Plastic Stick), 1G Nano (Chrome Back), 2G Nano (Aluminum Body), iPhone |
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