Exspect triple USB travel charger

The Exspect Triple USB Travel Charger is available for £20 from Amazon.co.uk and other gadget retailers.

So what did I think of it? Continue reading to find out:

My review sample turned up days before I had a trip to the USA with a detour to Berlin via Gatwick on my way home. My intention was to travel as light as possible with hand luggage only for the Gatwick to Berlin section of the trip. I would be taking my T-Mobile Android phone, my iPod Touch and my iPhone along with my netbook and huge Sony HDV-V1 camera. In the USA I also had my TomTom 720 which made for a range of devices that I needed to charge. As I was travelling to 3 different countries I also needed to take 3 different power plugs with me, though I cheated and used the US one in Gatwick whilst waiting for my flight…

Exspect triple USB travel charger

Exspect triple USB travel charger

In action the charger has managed to power all the devices that I have connected to it. In particular it charges both my iPhone 3GS and my wife’s iPhone 3G at the same time as my Android G2, TomTom GPS, Garmin Edge or Garmin Oregon. Though only 3 a a time…

Exspect triple USB travel charger

Griffin PowerDock for iPhone and iPod

Have you got more than 1 iPhone or iPod? I have, and keeping them all charged is a nightmare. The number of times I have grabbed my iPod and found that the battery is dead is too many to count. Griffin have solved all my charge problems with the PowerDock.

The Griffin PowerDock comes in two different models: The PowerDock 2 ($39.99 or £24.97) and the PowerDock 4 ($69.99 or £31.54).  Not surprisingly the PowerDock 2 has 2 charging bases whilst the PowerDock 4 has 4.

Griffin PowerDock

The PowerDock is compatible with just about all of the current and previous range of Apple iPhone and iPod products, with the exception of the iPod Shuffles. Click here to see the PowerDock compatibility on the Griffin web site.

As with the Griffin Simplifi (click here for our review) the PowerDoc comes with a brushed aluminium style that matches the Apple MacBook Pro, and the Mac Pro.  I am not much of a style guru, but I do like my technology to match.  I am surprised Apple don’t produce a metal iPhone…

Griffin PowerDock mains connector

Getting back on track… The Griffin PowerDock comes with a number of inserts for various iPhones and iPods all of mine were catered for including the iPhone 3G (which means the iPhone 3GS will be OK too). I must admit that in general I tend not to use the inserts to allow my devices to be placed in any available slot.  I have never had any problems, but I assume this must place extra stress on the connector.  I am behaving myself now and have fitted them to the PowerDock.

As you can see in the picture to the left there is just a single connector to the PowerDock: a mains socket.  The PowerDock is dual voltage so can be used with any power system worldwide.  Mine came with a US plug, but I have plenty of compatible power cords for use in the UK and Europe.

The one thing that is really missing from the PowerDock is a USB connector.  It would have been really neat to just drop all my devices into the PowerDock and have them sync to my Mac, but I suppose you cant have everything…

The Griffin PowerDock sits next to the Griffin Simplifi and my GDrive Mini on my desktop and is in daily use.  I always have a powered iPod to take to the gym, to sync I just swap it to the Simplifi…  Easy!  Click here for more information on the Griffin web site.

Griffin Simplifi dock

The Griffin Simplifi is a desktop dock for your iPhone or iPod, but it is not just a dock it is far more…

The Griffin Simplifi is a triple function gadget and not only sports an iPhone dock but has a multi-function card reader and a USB hub as well.

The design of the Simplifi follows the Apple metallic theme and matches the Apple Macbook Pro, Air Book and Mac Pros very nicely.

Griffin Simplifi iPhone dock

The iPhone dock uses the dock inserts to enable a wide range of iPhones and iPods to be used.  Six inserts allow the use of iPod Classics, iPod Nano (2G,3G), iPhone (Classic, 3G) and iPod Touch.  In fact the only iPod not supported by the dock inserts is the iPod Shuffle.  This can be charged using the USB hub.

Griffin Simplifi USB hub

The USB hub provides 2 additional USB ports at the back of the device which can be used to power low powered devices.  I have used it for a memory stick and my Griffin AirCurve (review coming shortly).  

If  you need to attach devices that need more power then the Simplifi can be connected to a 5v power supply (or should that be power suppli??) which is included in the box.  I prefer not to use this as it makes it less portable.

Griffin Simplifi card reader

The final aspect of the Griffin Simplifi is the multi-function card reader.  This has two slots, one for Compact Flash and one for Memory Stick, SD cards and XD cards.  The Memory Stick Duo is not supported directly, it can only be used with an adapter.   

In use I find that this is great paired with my MacBook Pro as I can use it for both my cameras and video cameras without having to scrabble around for adapters or cables.  At home it is a perfect match for my MacPro, and of course it charges all of my Apple iPhone/iPod devices.  One other important point is that unlike the Apple Dock the Simplifi also charges my TruePower iV Battery extender as well as my iPhone.

The Griffin Simplifi is in the stores at $69.99.  For more information on the Griffin Simplifi: Charge and Sync dock, media card reader, and USB hub click here.