Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter

Manufacturer: Belkin International Part number: F8Z145

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$18.99 - $25.99 at 4 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
4.0 stars Excellent
Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 1 review

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: The Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter is a great accessory for those with numerous USB-powered devices.

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CNET editors' review

Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter

price range: $18.99 - $25.99

The Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter is a great accessory for those with numerous USB-powered devices.

The good: Charges two USB devices simultaneously; compact design; easy to carry; includes iPod and standard mini-USB cables.

The bad: Two ports are great, but more would've been even better; distractingly bright LED indicator light.

The bottom line: The Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter is a great accessory for those with numerous USB-powered devices.

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Despite the dream of an "ultimate handheld," it's really hard to get down to fewer than two portable devices. A Treo may do it all, but you still want an iPod; an iPhone is great, but you still need a BlackBerry for work; you like to listen to your iPod while playing your PSP or DS; and so on. Even those who do manage to get down to one super smartphone often have a Bluetooth headset to go along with it. And traveling with two devices means taking two power adapters along. Or at least it did--until the Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter came along.

Like a gaggle of other brands (Apple included), Belkin makes an iPod power adapter--basically just an AC transformer with a USB port on it. The company's Dual USB Power Adapter is essentially the same thing, but with a second USB port. As such, it can charge two USB-powered devices simultaneously. Belkin throws in an iPod-charging cable (with the standard 30-pin connector) as well as a second cable that terminates with a mini-USB jack. The latter one will work with a large range of smartphones--including most BlackBerry models--and other devices. For instance, we had no problems charging an iPod Nano along with a BlackBerry Pearl, Sprint Mogul, and Motorola H500 Bluetooth headset using both of Belkin's cables. Any 5-volt USB-powered device should work just as well, but it's up to you to provide your own cables if it doesn't have a mini-USB input. We were able to charge a Sprint VM-A680, Palm Treo 650, Sony PSP, and Nintendo DS Lite--two at a time--with a variety of third-party cables.

The Dual USB Power Adapter is about 1.5 times the size of the tiny Apple iPod USB adapter (MB051LL/A). It has the same folding power prongs as the familiar Apple model and weighs just 2.5 ounces, so it travels well in a suitcase or backpack. The Belkin is rated for international voltage standards (100-240v, 50-60Hz input), so it should work anywhere in the world--with the proper plug adapter, of course. About the only real problem with it is the blue indicator light--it's bright enough to double as a night-light in a darkened bedroom or hotel room. But that's easily corrected with a small bit of electrical tape.

Otherwise, the worst thing to be said about this power adapter is that it only has two USB ports--three, four, or even more would've been even better. To prove the point, we also used a standard Belkin USB hub as a dedicated charger for up to seven products. But two ports is still twice as many as you'll find on any other dedicated AC adapter, and that makes the Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter a great buy--especially when you consider that it's widely available below its already modest $30 list price.

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Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 1 review

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3 stars

better competting devices

by roadlife on November 2, 2007

Pros: gets 1/2 the job done

Cons: competing devices have support for proprietary 5v devices

Summary: Most devices with a 5v mini-b input for charging will not charge with this charger.

It is not about the voltage, or the the amperage. makers nowadays have unique and

...

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Summary: Most devices with a 5v mini-b input for charging will not charge with this charger.

It is not about the voltage, or the the amperage. makers nowadays have unique and non standard wiring at the head of the mini-b US end of their chargers. This is especially true of any device that also uses US for data transfer.

that is why cometitors (e.g. Igo and syncharge) who make chargers like the belkins offer muliple usb mini-b heads fir thier charges with databases of which ones work with which device. Belkin does not.

For example the Motorola Razr charges from a usb mini b connection. If you plug this belkin charger into it with a standard mini b cable you will get no charge. The same is true for Garmin, Sony, Mio, HTC and in fact most devices.

Again other makers of universal usb chargers recognize this issue and have a wide variety of charger heads.

Contrary to what one would think USB wiring is NOT standardized with chargers! Get a charger from a company that recognizes this.

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Belkin International
Part number: F8Z145

General
Product Type Power adapter
Compatible Players Apple iPod Mini, Apple iPod with video (5G) 30GB, Apple iPod with color display, Apple iPod with video (5G) 80GB, Apple iPod 5G, Apple iPod 4G, Apple iPod nano (aluminum) (2G), Apple iPod with video (5G) 60GB, Apple iPod nano
Power Device
Input Connector(s) 1
output connector(s) 2 x 4 pin USB Type A

Miscellaneous
Cables Included 2 x USB cable - 6 ft
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 3 years warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years

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Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter

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