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lbendlin
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: 02/11/2002 22:41:59
Posts: 11878
Location: Massachusetts, USA
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 Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:29 am Post subject: Car charger Dual Socket USB adapter review |
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Most of our GPS gadgets come with a car charger adapter nowadays, and expect to be plugged in into the charging socket in the dashboard. That's all very nice as long as you have only one device.
Yes, you are right, those times are over. Nowadays multiple devices fight for the one socket. The solution - a multiplier. I have had the chance to review a particularly nifty version, courtesy of www.buygpsnow.com .
This little box plugs in to your existing car charger and will give you two sockets. Nothing special so far. What it also provides is a straight USB-A connector. This means you can use a standard USB-A to Mini-USB cable to directly power your devices that have the now very common Mini-USB port. (I prefer to use a retractable cable which has both Mini-USB and iPAQ style round plug - seems to be a PS2 accessory.)
Together with the adapter you will receive some adhesive tape to fasten the box to the dashboard if needed.
I have been using this for a few weeks now, and am very happy with the setup. No more hasty unplugging and replugging of devices, and I now have greater variety in the devices I can power through that.
Plus:
- cheap
- USB connector
- can be switched off (if your car charger is permanently powered)
Minus
- For 12 V cars only (not for trucks)
- the downconverter (from the car voltage to 5V) does emit some faint noise when under load. You will hear this hissing when the car is standing still and/or if your hearing is good.
Overall, I would recommend this little accessory. It has certainly made my testing a whole lot easier.
You can get it here.
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Lutz
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mfraser
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Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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| I've made a protype of something similar to this. Hopefully the next version will be more compact. Then all I'll need is someone to manufacture it. |
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lbendlin
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: 02/11/2002 22:41:59
Posts: 11878
Location: Massachusetts, USA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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Can you show pictures? How does your version differ?
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Lutz
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geraint
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Joined: Jun 20, 2004
Posts: 194
Location: Dorset, UK.
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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Is this available from any UK-based suppliers yet?
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Geraint
TomTom for iPhone v1.9
App version: 8.300 (777309)
Map: Western Europe v875.3668 |
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Space_Cowby
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Joined: Dec 26, 2006
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Space_Cowby
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Joined: Dec 26, 2006
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Meant to add to my post above that those items linked are for multi socket adapters ONLY. |
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MaFt
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 15388
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
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| Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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the usb is the selling point really. otherwise it's just a bog-standard adaptor!
MaFt |
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mfraser
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Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:58 am Post subject: |
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| lbendlin wrote: | | Can you show pictures? How does your version differ? |
Can't say much about it right now, but it will have more USB ports and now cigarette lighter socketes. |
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alix776
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: 03/05/2003 14:45:49
Posts: 3999
Location: leyland lancs ENGLAND
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| Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:31 am Post subject: |
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Mfraser how about a 24v drop down for us hgv/psv users please if this is possible 
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currently using aponia truck navigation on windows phone. Good bye IOS don't let the door hit you on the way out .
Oh the joys of being a courier.
device Lumia 950 xl |
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Tim Buxton
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: 14/09/2002 20:56:18
Posts: 5231
Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
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| Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:31 am Post subject: |
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| MaFt wrote: | the usb is the selling point really. otherwise it's just a bog-standard adaptor!
MaFt |
I use something like this in my 4 way charger. Yes, it takes one of the slots and is another piece of kit, but it works.
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resuj
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Joined: Oct 07, 2004
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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| geraint wrote: | | Is this available from any UK-based suppliers yet? |
I found a similar unit in www.mobilefun.co.uk. Shame I already bought a gomadic car charger for my samsung yp-z5, I could've had this, yp-z5's usb and my navman all connected up. |
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lbendlin
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: 02/11/2002 22:41:59
Posts: 11878
Location: Massachusetts, USA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:32 am Post subject: |
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| MaFt wrote: | the usb is the selling point really. otherwise it's just a bog-standard adaptor!
MaFt |
Not sure. It is more the overall convenience. As luck has it all ports are filled, and I no longer need to unplug/replug my test gear each time. I needed both, a dual ciggy socket AND the USB. A single USB socket wouldn't have done it.
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Lutz
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MaFt
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 15388
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:40 am Post subject: |
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| lbendlin wrote: | | MaFt wrote: | the usb is the selling point really. otherwise it's just a bog-standard adaptor!
MaFt |
Not sure. It is more the overall convenience. As luck has it all ports are filled, and I no longer need to unplug/replug my test gear each time. I needed both, a dual ciggy socket AND the USB. A single USB socket wouldn't have done it. |
sorry, lutz, i was meaning the addition of the usb port in the one you reviewed was the main selling point compared to just the normal power splitter from maplin that was given in the links. not that it would suffice to have ONLY the usb...
MaFt |
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travisb
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Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 111
Location: North Wales
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mcjones56
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Joined: Oct 14, 2003
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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Bought one of these from www.mobilefun.co.uk as mentioned by resuj, GBP 12.45 inc VAT and P&P (arrived withinh 48 hours of ordering).
Seeing the review was a clincher for me as I'm just about to get a newer car, one where the power to the cigar lighter doesn't switch off with the ignition so an adapter with a switch is what I was looking for.
Thanks Lutz. |
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