Simplifying Charging: The iGo Way
Posted on June 23, 2010 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Simplification
Wednesdays are simplicity days at SimpleProductivity blog.
We have a lot of electronic devices. And they all seem to run out of juice frequently. While I keep chargers at both home and office desks for my iPod and my phone. But on the go, it would be nice not to lug around chargers.
The iGo Car Charging System
I stumbled across the iGo system when I was looking for a car charging system. A single charger with multiple tips allows me to charge different devices just by changing out the tips. It has come in handy on long trips. I keep the one charger plugged into my “outlet” in the car, and by changing out the tips, we can have the power we need.
Travel Charger Needed
When we took our last big trip, I brought along my batter power for the iPod, and a wall-to-USB charger with cords for both our phones. Unfortunately, the wall unit died the first day we were there. I knew we needed something different without having to lug around the big bag of chargers we took on the previous vacation.
Looking at the iGo site, I saw that they had both wall and battery chargers that worked with the tips I already had. The wall charger’s prongs fold flat and the cord is long. The battery charger takes 2 AA batteries – fewer by half than the iPod charger I have.
Charging Multiples
The only problem I could foresee is needing to charge more than one device at a time. iGo also offered an extension which allows you to charge two devices at the same time. I haven’t tested this out yet, but I suspect it will work best with the car charger and the wall charger. The battery charger doesn’t seem like it would support multiples.
Simplifying On-The-Go
This charger system, which I originally bought for travel, is actually simplifying my regular non-travel life. I keep the splitter in the car with the iPod tip and my phone tip connected, and I charge as I am driving around.
Have you run across any other systems that simplify charging? Leave a comment below.
Photo by westy48
If you enjoyed this post, please buy me a cup of coffee!
Comments (4)
I use the extension for two tips in the car, I can charge both my iPhone and my bluetooth at the same time. It works well for us.
I was so excited to find that extension! With two “outlets” in the car, this means we can keep the tunes playing and charge one of the phones while my daughter watches DVDs. No more shuffling and deciding what can go the longest without charging!
This is an interesting system. I use a DC-AC converter in the car, that way we don’t have to buy any extra chargers, and we can also use a laptop on longer trips when the battery would normally run out. Works well for us, and keeps us from doubling up on the chargers!
I like the idea of using chargers you already have. Great suggestion!