- Two USB ports to fast charge your iPad and iPhone simultaneously
- USB port placement allows easy access to plug in iPad/iPhone cables
- Interchangeable adapter accommodates various international plugs
- Swiveling plug base allows flexibility
- Input AC: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz
The iLuv RockWall Dual USB charger is too clever by half, and I feel like there was not enough time spent creating a well-engineered device.
The iLuv is very simple in appearance. It is made of a combination of white and gray plastic. One the top are two charging ports (one for iPhones/iPods, the other for iPads), while the outlet prongs fold out of the back. There's also a charging indicator light on the front (which is pretty bright, so if you're sensitive to light when sleeping, the iLuv won't be a great idea for the bedroom), and small green cord clip on the side. It's nicely constructed and the materials are of high quality. When it's all folded up it's fairly compact, and travels well, however when it's plugged in it's just big enough to make it difficult to use the outlet adjacent to it.
The feature that is supposed to set the iLuv apart is its swiveling wall plug. There are two large silver buttons on both sides of the iLuv that release the plug and allow it swing down at a 90ยบ angle. This is useful when plugging the iLuv into a power strip on the floor; it makes it easier to access the USB ports. While it's a nice idea the problem is that when using the iLuv in the traditional wall mounted position, you have to grasp and pull by the top of the iLuv to unplug it, which puts undue stress on the swivel mechanism's lock. Additionally, it's very easy to accidentally grab the silver release buttons when pulling it out of the wall causing it to swivel down. Even though I am very gentle with the iLuv, I worry about its longevity.
As far as its actual charging performance is concerned, the iLuv works great. It will charge an iPhone or iPod on either USB port. I used the iLuv to charge an iPhone 4 and 4s simultaneously, and they both charged quickly and without hiccups. I also charged an iPod Nano and iPod Classic simultaneously. Lastly, I charged a Sony TX30 digital camera using the iPhone/iPod USB port (it would not charge on the other port). I do not own an iPad so I can't comment on the iLuv's ability to charge that.
All in all... a charger that needs more design thought.I got this charger to put behind our couch to power our various Idevices. Up to now we had an ugly extension cord with multiple adapters plugged into it. The problem with this setup is that the adapters sometimes get caught in the couch and heat up a lot. This could present a problem so I went looking for another solution.
I have this device connected with a couple of long USB cables I got from Amazon RND Apple Certified Lightning to USB cable (6 feet/white) made for iPhone, iPad, iPod. After using this charger for a couple of days it seems to do the job as well as the original power adapters from Apple. I have seen no degradation of time it takes to change and IPAD mini or an Iphone 4S. Also it doesn't seem to get very hot since it is out in the open, and is great for tight spaces since it folds flat.
I would recommend this adapter for tight spaces like out couch or for usage when you travel, it is small and multiple people can charge at the same time.Often, we tech folks (and even those who would not use that term to describe themselves) tend to associate white accessories with Apple products. Years ago, this was actually nearly always the case but now, other companies make their products in white in a probably deliberate effort to trigger that association for iUsers. iLuv has done it here and in a way that is, in fact, worthy and functional.
It performs exactly as advertised. I charge my iPhone5 and iPad2 at the same time and both charge as fully and as quickly as they do with the Apple-branded charging plugs. It surprises me that Apple has yet to produce on of its own multi-device AC chargers and has left the entire market of growing need to the growing range of 'after market' product manufacturers. Kensington, Belkin along with iLuv and several others have stepped up to meet this crying iConsumer need.
The international adapter (for European use) is helpful for world travelers. I just use the good ol' US-AC plug. As has been pointed out by another reviewed, the user needs to be deliberate about the placing of this device because it CAN block access to adjoining outlets. Often, though, this issue can be easily mitigated by selecting the plug position for the device more carefully. I especially like the narrower profile and use it behind a couch that no longer needs to be conspicuously pulled out from the wall.
There are other dual USB-port AC wall chargers out there and at least a few others offer enough amperage to charge two iDevices concurrently. This one is at least as good as the others and the narrow profile makes it a favored choice for both travel and home use.
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I travel a lot, with an iPad, an iPhone and other USB-powered devices, so a portable charger that has two outlets, one of which will supply the 2.1A for an iPad, is a good thing. Functionally, the iLuv RockWall charger serves that purpose, but it is much larger than it needs to be and is awkwardly designed so that it tends to block other outlets and is difficult to safely remove from an outlet.I've uploaded two photos comparing the iLuv charger to the PowerGen Dual Port USB 2.1A 10W AC Travel Wall Charger which I've had for about six months. Both have a 2.1A and .5A USB port, but the PowerGen is much smaller and doesn't block outlets the way the iLuv does. Removing the iLuv from an outlet is problematic if you follow the instructions on the charger by grasping it above the buttons (that need to be pushed in to release the swivel), you're pulling at an angle and putting strain on the hinge and prongs. If you do the natural thing and grasp closer to the prongs, you put yourself at risk of shock.
I don't know why iLuv makes a big deal about the interchangeable plug, since they provide only one and I see no offer to sell additional plugs. It doesn't help that the iLuv's price is much higher than the PowerGen's either. I see that PowerGen now has a 15W version with a swivel plug, if that's what you want. It is still smaller and cheaper than the iLuv. The iLuv says it is a 15W charger (the PowerGen I have claims to be 10W), yet the iLuv's power consumption rating is lower.
Lastly, I want to gripe about the overpackaging of the iLuv. There are three plastic pieces inside the cardboard box, none of which are coded for recycling (two of them appear to be PET.) The package could have been half the size and still adequate.
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