The QuadCharge Universal Charging Station from Gomadic

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.gomadic.com/chargingstation.html' target='_blank'>http://www.gomadic.com/chargingstation.html</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/gomadic-quad-charger-press.gif" /><br /><br />As soon as I saw a picture of <a href="http://www.gomadic.com/chargingstation.html">Gomadic's QuadCharge Universal Charging Station</a> posted <a href="http://site.gomadic.com/blog1/2007/05/gomadic_sneak_peak_new_chargin.html">on their blog</a>, I shot them off an email and said "Guys, I have to check that out!". I've always got at least a few devices that need charging, and I dislike having bulky power adaptors kicking around. I've tended to use my Zune USB AC adaptor (the one from the <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/zunethoughts-20/detail/B000IXP946/104-5494781-3858369">Home A/V Kit</a> [Affiliate]) with a <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/main~unit~T-Mobile_Dash-772~area~accessories-T%2DMobile+Dash+Lil%27+Sync%AE+Pro+Retractable+Sync%2DN%2DCharge+Cables.htm">PPC Techs miniUSB cable</a>. It worked, but it was never very elegant or organized. Here's what things have looked like over the past few months:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/gomadic-quad-charger-before-big.jpg"><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/gomadic-quad-charger-before-small.jpg" /></a><br /><i>[click image for the bigger view]</i><br /><!><br />After tearing out all my cables and setting up my devices with the Gomadic QuadCharge, here's what I ended up with:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/gomadic-quad-charger-after-big.jpg"><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/gomadic-quad-charger-after-small.jpg" /></a><br /><i>[click image for the bigger view]</i><br /><br />Now that's what I call a big improvement! From left to right I have a GPS charging using miniUSB, my Zune charging using the Zune tip, and the HTC Touch and T-Mobile Dash charging using miniUSB tips. Unfortunately they don't make a tip for my wife's iPod 2G Shuffle, so I have to keep the iPod cradle around, along with the Zune USB AC adaptor. When I asked why Gomadic didn't make a Shuffle tip, they told me it was because they were afraid people would damage their iPod by jamming the wrong end into the iPod headphone jack. The connector for the Gomadic tips is a 3.5mm head that looks exactly like a headphone jack, so I think they have a point - though I'm sure there's some creative way around this.<br /><br />As expected, once I connected the single AC adaptor from the QuadCharge to my power strip, then connected all the devices, they all began to recharge. There's not much to this product - it just works, but it allows me to be more organized. The QuadCharge station itself sells for $49.95 USD, and you can expect to spend another $24 or so buying four tips - so about $75 will get you the whole thing. That's quite reasonable in my opinion - especially because if you want to recharge a new device all it takes is a $5.95 tip.<br /><br />About the only way I'd improve this product would be to have a pull-out container for keeping extra tips in. You wouldn't need this if you only had four items, but Gomadic sent me a tip for my Zen Vision:M and another generic charging tip, but I have no place to keep them in relation to the charging station. Other than that, I'm thrilled with this product and would recommend it highly to anyone.<br /><br /><i>Jason Dunn owns and operates <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com">Thoughts Media Inc.</a>, a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys mobile devices, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, and his sometimes obedient dog. He likes things that need electricity.</i>

[choyboy]

Jason,

Can you tell me if this comes with a 110V or a universal 110-240V adaptor? I am keen to get one but we're 240V in Australia and I don't want to have to buy a voltage switcher as well. I can deal with just changing the plug to an Australian - US plug adaptor.


Choyboy

[Jason Dunn]

Can you tell me if this comes with a 110V or a universal 110-240V adaptor?

Excellent question. Looking at the power adaptor, it says it's a 100-240vac, so I think you're good to go!

[Mark Kenepp]

These charging stations are quite appealing for us multi-gadget folks.

This is the first one I have seen that utilizes its own AC adapter. The others I have seen are just a glorified power strip where you would plug in your own AC adapters, one for each device.

The only problem I see with the approach of using a universal AC adapter for all the devices for the system is that you are limited by the tips the manufacture makes available. Looking at the tip list, there is only one of the four or five device I own that has a tip available. I guess that there is probably tips in there that are compatible but I would need to do some research to figure it out.

One thing I wonder is, if your devices all have different charging requirements, can you still plug them into this one AC adapter?

[Jason Dunn]

One thing I wonder is, if your devices all have different charging requirements, can you still plug them into this one AC adapter?

I'm quite certain that you can, but you'd probably want to email Gomadic just to be on the safe side.

[Sven Johannsen]

Keep in mind that this is designed for things that typically can be charged from a PC USB port. That means you are dealing with 5v. The current delivered can be due to one of two factors. How much the device will draw and/or how much the charger can deliver. A device will not draw more current then it can handle, though it can draw more current than a charger can deliver. That can damage a poorly designed charger. A charger that regulates current low, just means longer charge times.

[whoster69]

Thanks for the review!

I don't see what the advantage of this device would be over something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Charging-Valet-Handheld-Electronic-Devices/dp/B000JG7AOE/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-0727737-7573458?ie=UTF8&amp;s=home-garden&amp;qid=1188951416&amp;sr=1-2

Yes, it uses a powerstrip, but so what? Once you get it setup, it's good to go and there are cheaper alternative out there (like around $20).

[bkerrins]

I think rather than multiple gadgets I'm going the other way. HW6945, has a PDA, has a phone, has GPS, plays MP3...One thing to carry and only one to charge. Okay, I admit it's as big as a brick and doesn't use a standard USB charger like it should, but it's still better than carrying three or four things around.

[tthiel]

You sure have a lot of crappy devices. Get an iPhone. They are only $399 now.

[whoster69]

You sure have a lot of crappy devices. Get an iPhone. They are only $399 now.

$399 for pretty? Sorry but it's still overpriced. No thanks! :lol:

[Sven Johannsen]

Thanks for the review!

I don't see what the advantage of this device would be over something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Charging-Valet-Handheld-Electronic-Devices/dp/B000JG7AOE/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-0727737-7573458?ie=UTF8&amp;s=home-garden&amp;qid=1188951416&amp;sr=1-2

Yes, it uses a powerstrip, but so what? Once you get it setup, it's good to go and there are cheaper alternative out there (like around $20).

Two things in my view. First the powerstrip in a shoe box requires your dedicated use of the charger that came with your device. That means you have to take it out to travel, or buy a second charger. That's an expense for each device. granted many use the same type of charger and you might get away with buying just one or two travel ones, but that is an expense on top of the powerstrip and shoebox.

Second the tip replacement concept is very convenient. To change what I can charge on this is just a matter of switching the tip, rather than having to pull out and replace a whole wall wart. The tips are pretty cheap and many can be used on a lot of devices.

I actually have a unit like the one you linked, and the Gomadic one. I had to get some power extenders to even get the wall warts to all plug into the power strip and fit inside the valet.

[whoster69]

Thanks for the review!

I don't see what the advantage of this device would be over something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Charging-Valet-Handheld-Electronic-Devices/dp/B000JG7AOE/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-0727737-7573458?ie=UTF8&amp;s=home-garden&amp;qid=1188951416&amp;sr=1-2

Yes, it uses a powerstrip, but so what? Once you get it setup, it's good to go and there are cheaper alternative out there (like around $20).

Two things in my view. First the powerstrip in a shoe box requires your dedicated use of the charger that came with your device. That means you have to take it out to travel, or buy a second charger. That's an expense for each device. granted many use the same type of charger and you might get away with buying just one or two travel ones, but that is an expense on top of the powerstrip and shoebox.

Second the tip replacement concept is very convenient. To change what I can charge on this is just a matter of switching the tip, rather than having to pull out and replace a whole wall wart. The tips are pretty cheap and many can be used on a lot of devices.

I actually have a unit like the one you linked, and the Gomadic one. I had to get some power extenders to even get the wall warts to all plug into the power strip and fit inside the valet.

Thanks for the info. Good to know.