I'd rather give this product 0 stars, but since it has to have one, I'll say it's for the effort that someone even tried to make an iPad friendly charger. :) Too bad I've been waiting MONTHS for Macally to release this... Anyway, first off, the instructions say you CANNOT charge an iPad AND something else at the same time. That is frustrating because I have MANY apple devices and was trying to alleviate carrying multiple chargers. The product description here says: "Offers 10 watt two USB ports to charge multiple devices simultaneously". VERY misleading in my opinion, and I wouldn't have purchased it if I knew this information beforehand.Now for the real bad news and the main reason for the low rating; it's obvious to me that the power coming out of this thing is VERY DIRTY! When I plug either my iPhone 4 or iPad into it (just one device not both) I'm barely able to use them as the touch sensitive screen goes completely bonkers when powered by this unit. My screen "jitters" when I touch it, random buttons on the screen are pushed, the screen resizes and shrinks sporadically, and any number of other random things happen all with just the faintest touch of one finger anywhere on the screen! This renders both of my devices completely unusable when plugged into this thing. The moment I pull the cord out, my device is back to normal, plug it back in and it instantly starts flipping out again. I've tried with both official Apple and 3rd party dock cables, and I even brought it to work and used it in different outlets, and unfortunately, the behavior is always the same.
For anyone who is concerned with not toasting their rather expensive electronic devices into oblivion, then steer FAR FAR AWAY from this charger!!! I for one, will be returning this less than adequate charger for my devices, I just hope it hasn't done any lasting damage... :(
The days of trying to remember to pack and then digging through your bags/briefcase/ backpack for the right device are over. Like me you have been looking high low for a mulitiport USB charger. However, when you read the reviews you find that they work very slowly with more than one device** or not at all. Macally actually had an someone involved that understood the gap in the market place. This delivers 10.5W (5V/2.1A) providing the electrons to fast charge your gizmos (even non-Apple devices). Every thing else that I found only provides a total of 5W.
**One Negative: The directions do state "Due to the high charging current required by iPad, please do not use the 2nd USB port to charge other devices while charging the iPad. The reason for 4 and not 5 stars. The upside it will charge an iPad. I have read plenty of reviews of even single port devices that will not handle the iPad.
Like many out there I typically carry some combination of an iTouch, GPS (Garmin Nuvi), Cell Phone (Motorola), Bluetooth headset (Samsung HM3500)and Kindle when away from the house for business or vacation. Likely to add an iPad into the mix some time into the next year. List obviously grows when the whole family is along. You know the petty arguments and conflicts that erupt for having access to a charger as someone typically forgets some electrical appartus.
Perfect space and wieght saver. About the size and thickness of two match boxes.
Prongs fold into body of charger. Can pivot at multiple angles.
No blinking/glowing/flashing lights to keep you awake in the hotel room. Why would you need it almost every gadget has some way to let you know that it is charging properly.
Recommendation to further lower you clutter: Buy at least two retractable usb cables that come with multiple tips
(ie. Famtel Universal USB Charger Kit CCHA-UNUSB5C). Cost is about $7/each. Combined with the Macally DUALUSB10 you will have the swiss army knife of charging.
Note: For Garmin GPS stick with the USB cable that it came with it. My Garmin (nuvi 760) is very tempermental when it comes to the cable well result in a charge. This is a Garmin issue not a Macally one.
Now if only laptops could get by on a usb charger. Not holding my breath on that as they typically require 120W or more.
They do make a cigerette lighter version as well. Luckily we have a Pontiac Vibe with built in outlet.
Negative: It's not a four port device. Personally most like will need to buy a total of two these gems to quench the whole family. But a reasonable proposition considering that a single Apple OEM plug costs the same or more.
10/04/10 Update:
After reading another review that reported a "Dirty Power" experience while using iPhone/iPad while plugged in. Essentailly the GUI behaved eradictly for the owner. I went back and double checked my experience using the DUALUSB10 in a similar fashion with my iTouch (3rd Gen. no Jail Break mod.) and did not encounter any negative GUI behavior. Operated just fine. As a result left four stars in place.I had the same experience as another in that the charger affected both my iPhone and iPad. When they were plugged in the touch screen did not work reliably. A colleague also had his phone respond similarly. I hope the charger didn't fry anything. The first one I had lasted one day then died. The second one started to affect my devices after using it several times.I purchased one in June of 2012. In Oct. of 2012 my unit began smoking and burning. I was charging my iPad 3 and my iPhone 4. I contacted the manufacturer and they said that the units couldn't handle two ipads. In informed them I wasn't charging 2 ipads. Regardless, their website still indicates the charger can handle two ipads at once. DO NOT PURCHASE this unit. They are dangerous and should be pulled from the market immediately.The product worked fine for 6 months and suddenly stopped working. The only reason I bought this was because it was cheaper than the Apple branded charger. I guess I should have shelled the money and bought the quality product. I won't make the mistake of buying from this company again.
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