The perfect iPod car companion, Belkin's Auto Kit DC charger.
Written: Oct 27 '04 (Updated Jan 30 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Ridiculously simple to use, easy to expand with other Belkin products, worry free operation.
Cons: None at all, nearly perfect.
The Bottom Line: If you need a car charger for your dock-compatible iPod, the Belkin Auto Kit is a great solution.
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| openroad's Full Review: Belkin Auto Kit for iPod w/ Dock Connector |
----- Overview -----
In the search for the perfect portable media player, I found the Apple iPod to the best choice for portability and functionality. It looks great, is very easy to use, manages songs with the excellent iTunes software, and can hold up to 10,000 songs (depending on the model). The only downside was on long car trips it would only last about 5 hours on a full charge. This was fine for most trips, but on a long weekend you’ll have an iPod with full compliment of songs and dead battery for your return trip.
To further compound this condition I always use my Griffin Technology iTrip FM Transmitter in the car. This accessory allows you to select any FM station and broadcast whatever your iPod is playing at the moment. While it doesn’t take very much power, it reduces the battery life by another 30 minutes or so. I naturally began to look for a way to charge my iPod while in the car, and stumbled on the perfect solution with the Belkin Auto Kit.
---- Using the Auto Kit -----
This product is the perfect picture of simplicity and the inclusion of instructions in the box is completely unnecessary. To use the Auto Kit simply plug the large plug into the dock connector port on the bottom of your iPod. Plug the 12v DC end into the cigarette lighter (or accessory power source if you prefer to call it that). The green LED light on the end of the adaptor plug lets you know it’s receiving power and sending it to the iPod. You’ll also see a flashing battery appear on your iPod’s screen to let you know the system is charging.
That’s all there is to using the Belkin Auto Kit, unless you also own a Belkin Tunecast FM Transmitter or Belkin Cassette Adapter. In that case you’ll become familiar with the 3.5mm audio output jack located on the left side of the 12v plug. I can’t comment on the Belkin Tunecast unit since I own its competitor, Griffin Technologies iTrip. I will say the cassette adapter works very well, and with the built-in preamp to control the volume without reaching for your iPod. The quality of audio with the cassette adaptor is quite good, but does depend on the quality of your cassette player.
For reliability there is a replaceable fuse in case of a voltage spike or power surge. Instead of damaging your Auto Kit or even worse damaging your iPod, the fuse blows and saves your hardware.
----- Is it worth $40 -----
I’ve put more than 18 hours of driving on my Belkin charger so far and I’ve come to count on its reliable charging and plug-n-forget simplicity. When you do as much nighttime freeway driving as I do, you’ll appreciate the ability to leave the iPod’s backlight on without fear of draining your battery very quickly.
A very thoughtful feature is the inclusion of a small retention strap to keep excess lengths of cord out of the way. My SUV has a power point mounted very close a storage pocket where I keep my iPod while driving, Thanks to the cord tether I keep about 24” of cord in a tidy bundle instead of spilling all over like a plate of spaghetti. I’ve never had the dock connector pop off by accident since it’s secured with two locking clips that keep it firmly attached.
I guess what I’m trying to say is if you use your iPod in the car, travel very often, or use your iPod for working out, the Belkin Auto Kit charger is a must buy. From my experience this charger will take an iPod from 50% battery remaining to a complete charge in about one hour. Once charging is complete the Belkin charger keeps the battery topped off, so no matter how long you use it your iPod will have a fully charged battery.
If you’re in the market for an FM transmitter or cassette adaptor the Belkin Auto Kit is a great place to start from. That way if you want to add on future accessories they will work in harmony with your DC adaptor. I can’t really add anything else worthwhile, except to say this has made my iPod the ultimate portable music solution, no exceptions. If you want a car charger look no further than Belkin’s Auto Kit.
Related links:
Apple iPod 20GB
Apple iPod Photo 40GB
iSkin EVO for 3rd Generation iPods
Belkin Cassette Adapter
Griffin Technology iTrip FM Transmitter
Apple Powerbook G4 17"
Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!
Openroad
Recommended:
Yes
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