Kensington Mini Battery Extender and Charger for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G (Black)
by Kensington
|
List Price: Our Price: $23.30 You Save: $26.69 (53%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $7.99 (click here) Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Kensington Mini Battery Extender and Charger for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G (Black)
Customer Review: Works okay, but there are show stopper issues
Summary: 2 Stars
While this battery is conveniently small, and easy to use, there are some show stopper issues for iPod Touch users.
1. When it's plugged in, you don't have access to the audio port. If you're just surfing or checking your e-mail, this isn't an issue. If you want to use this pack while watching a movie, or listening to music...you're out of luck.
2. It takes over 1 hour to recharge the internal iPod Touch battery with this pack. So, if you exhaust the internal battery watching movies (say on a coast-to-coast, or international flight), you'll be on the ground before you can watch any more if you're using this pack to recharge the iPod.
3. It's a small pack. You get one recharge of the iPod Touch, and then not to 100%. This pack petered out at about 90-95% of the recharge.
I see no issue using this pack with an iPhone for telephone usage, but the same problems will arise for music and/or movies.
Customer Review: perfect for everyday use
Summary: 5 Stars
With my morning 30 minute conference calls, I barely get by each day without needing to recharge my iPhone.
What drew me to this was the all in one style design. No cables or mess to deal with. Here's the low down:
Cons:
- Simultaneous charging (connected to my Macbook Pro) took a little longer than preferred, but I guess it was because my iPhone was completely dead.
Pros:
- Tiny battery pack was able to charge my iPhone to about 65% from dead which was impressive in a relatively short period of time
- Battery indicator was extremely helpful
- Small enough to keep in my pocket without the weight and bulk
- The smartest thing about this battery pack is that it leaves about a 1.5mm gap on the bottom of the iPhone so the microphone isn't blocked. Genius.
- Oh yeah, it comes with a plastic cap to protect the connector if you toss it in your work bag or something.
Customer Review: Buyer Beware-Doesn't work with iPhone 2.1 or 2.2
Summary: 1 Stars
I had a problem with my mini battery extender, so I contacted support via email. All I got was nonsensical responses, except for one gem of information. THE PRODUCT ONLY WORKS WITH 2.0 FIRMWARE, NOT 2.1 OR 2.2!!!
They also will not answer any further inquiries when I have tried to find out when or if they will resolve this issue. Since I didn't know this, and I had the product more than 30 days, and didn't keep the original packaging, Kensington, and my original vendor, will not accept a return, and also will not replace it (although replacing it will not do any good anyway).
Without 2.1 or 2.2 support, this device is useless. Buyers should be aware of this before they buy, not after. Kensington support refuses to respond any further. They did state, in writing, that it doesn't work with iPhone running 2.1 or 2.2. Unfortunately, it's a total waste of money, and is useless. Customer support is no help whatsoever.
Customer Review: A very handy accessory for the iPhone 3GS
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very nice little accessory. I would go so far to say that is almost an essential for trips. Plug it into your iPhone 3GS and it will charge it all the way back to 100%. At least that is my experience. Sometimes it is just not possible to plug in a charger, and when that is the case this little accessory is the answer. It gives you an extra full charge for your iPhone.
A couple of nits deprive this excellent accessory of the fifth star. Firstly, it does not fit real snappily onto the iPhone. It fits OK, but you want to be careful not to bend it. Secondly, they should have designed it so that the plastic cap that protects the connector to the iPhone snaps onto the opposite end of the battery extender when in use. Not a big deal, but I am surprised that Kensington did not think of this. Kensington makes good products.
Overall a very good product.
Customer Review: Get the BIGGER Kensington battery...
Summary: 4 Stars
I owned this product for four days, then returned it soon after. It is not because the product did not work, I just did not like the fact that when I put the battery in my pocket attached to my iPhone, I was afraid to break the connector/connection in my pocket and have no battery anymore. I upgraded to the larger version of the Kensington Battery Pack and Charger...which uses the USB/iPhone/iPod connection cable. And plus the battery with ac/usb adapter is only $10 more on Amazon.
This product worked like a charm...I discharged my iPhone till it gave me the 20% battery warning and it would take a little over an hour for my iPhone to be battery full or until I depleted the Kensington battery. It was only good for the single charge on a busy day on an iPhone.
Just consider your use before you purchase with either kensington product.