BlackBerry and mobile device charging while traveling solution

Posted
by
Simon L
on March 23, 2009, at 3:48 PM
in Reviews
. Tags: belkin, charger.
Comments: 17 responses
17 Comments

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I have recently found a good solution for a BlackBerry USB charging that I’d like to share with the community. A while back I purchased a Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger and I’m very satisfied with my purchase.

The Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger is a small, 3 outlet surge protector with 2 USB ports on one end. It plugs into any standard North American wall socket, and gives you 2 additional outlets (a total of 4 instead of 2), and 2 powered USB ports. More succinctly, it’s awesome.

I’ve traveled quite a bit over the past few years, much of which has been relatively short skiing-related trips between class and/or work, lasting a week at most. But when you’ve still got to take care of business during that short trip, you’ve got a ton of electronic riff-raff to pack with you. In my case, that meant a phone charger, iPod charger, camera charger, and MacBook power adapter. The charger helps me stay organized and charged even though I am overburdened by such a wide array of devices.

It’s not the smallest thing ever made, but Belkin has done a decent job of keeping the unit manageable. The prongs don’t fold into the unit, something that would have made it nicely compact. The unit does come with a plastic prong cover that can be attached to the unit when not needed. And in what is probably the coolest twist, the prongs themselves rotate 360 degrees, giving you 4 different orientations for the surge protector itself.

The powered USB ports provide enough power to charge an iPod along with most mini-USB charged phones. Not all phones are compatible, but Blackberrys are well supported. Also, being a surge protector it will keep your devices safe from fluctuating power and nasty electrical issues.

The Belkin USB Powerstrip delivers exactly what it promises, does it well, and is well thought out. It’s convenient and easy no hassle device charging, and it’s cheap too. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who either wants to simplify traveling with electronics or needs a new home charger.

To purchase the Blkin Mini Surge Protector, go here.
Price $19.95

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  • http://www.TheModernDayNomad.com/ MDNomad

    I have one of these and its great. I used to fly a LOT for business and partook in what has become the Business Traveler’s national past time of searching for power outlets in the airports. If I found one, it was usually being used. But when I showed this handy lil gadget to the user they never had a problem with me unplugging them to share. Most of the time they would ask where I got it. My ipod, and my blackberry would be powered by the usb ports and I would plug my laptop into an outlet. It was a great way to meet people too… I would always offer a plug to fellow players of find the airport outlet.
    Most hotels still haven’t figured out to put outlets out where people can use them. Instead they opt for a lamp with 2 plugs in the base. This thing centralizes everything in the room and you dont need to move furniture to get to a free plug.
    You can pair this up with the Pelican 1020 micro case… Fits PERFECTY, and I also can fit retractable usb ipod charger cable, retractable usb blackberry cable, and retractable headphones. All my power needs in one place.

  • http://www.TheModernDayNomad.com MDNomad

    I have one of these and its great. I used to fly a LOT for business and partook in what has become the Business Traveler’s national past time of searching for power outlets in the airports. If I found one, it was usually being used. But when I showed this handy lil gadget to the user they never had a problem with me unplugging them to share. Most of the time they would ask where I got it. My ipod, and my blackberry would be powered by the usb ports and I would plug my laptop into an outlet. It was a great way to meet people too… I would always offer a plug to fellow players of find the airport outlet.
    Most hotels still haven’t figured out to put outlets out where people can use them. Instead they opt for a lamp with 2 plugs in the base. This thing centralizes everything in the room and you dont need to move furniture to get to a free plug.
    You can pair this up with the Pelican 1020 micro case… Fits PERFECTY, and I also can fit retractable usb ipod charger cable, retractable usb blackberry cable, and retractable headphones. All my power needs in one place.

  • Adam

    If you are speaking about Blackberrys (as I assume looking at the webpage this is posted on) you could just bring the small Blackberry travel charger that came with your unit and you wouldn’t have to lug around a USB cable and the Belkin brick that you are reviewing.

  • Adam

    If you are speaking about Blackberrys (as I assume looking at the webpage this is posted on) you could just bring the small Blackberry travel charger that came with your unit and you wouldn’t have to lug around a USB cable and the Belkin brick that you are reviewing.

  • Meanoch

    Where can I buy one?

  • Meanoch

    Where can I buy one?

  • http://www.avalanchegroup.ca/ Avalanche

    Re: Adam, this unit is actually perfect just in case you have multiple USB accessories and sometimes having those extra slots does wonders on the road. has sure saved me lots of hassle when i need to charge mutliple units at once.

    I know you can get these things at Home Depot of all places! but it is worth the $$$

  • http://www.avalanchegroup.ca/ Avalanche

    Re: Adam, this unit is actually perfect just in case you have multiple USB accessories and sometimes having those extra slots does wonders on the road. has sure saved me lots of hassle when i need to charge mutliple units at once.

    I know you can get these things at Home Depot of all places! but it is worth the $$$

  • http://www.avalanchegroup.ca Avalanche

    Re: Adam, this unit is actually perfect just in case you have multiple USB accessories and sometimes having those extra slots does wonders on the road. has sure saved me lots of hassle when i need to charge mutliple units at once.

    I know you can get these things at Home Depot of all places! but it is worth the $$$

  • Alex

    I’ve had 2 of these since they first came out a while ago. Its great, but be aware that not all USB devices are compatible. It may be the cable used, but some phones won’t charge with it.

    I travel a lot and used to carry a power strip and 2 phone chargers (1 Blackberry charger & 1 for my backup phone). Plugging in a laptop, printer, phone charger, iPod charger & camera battery charger at the same time can be a pain is so many hotels. Its like having a 5 outlet power strip that takes up the space of a 3 outlet one.

    I was happy to see them at Home Depot now. They seem to carry all of Belkin’s latest stuff.

  • Alex

    I’ve had 2 of these since they first came out a while ago. Its great, but be aware that not all USB devices are compatible. It may be the cable used, but some phones won’t charge with it.

    I travel a lot and used to carry a power strip and 2 phone chargers (1 Blackberry charger & 1 for my backup phone). Plugging in a laptop, printer, phone charger, iPod charger & camera battery charger at the same time can be a pain is so many hotels. Its like having a 5 outlet power strip that takes up the space of a 3 outlet one.

    I was happy to see them at Home Depot now. They seem to carry all of Belkin’s latest stuff.

  • http://www.TheModernDayNomad.com/ MDNomad

    The USB cable I use for my berry works with my camera as well… its a dual purpose. And I hate loose wires… These cables are retractable and wind up themselves. Much neater than hand winding. They always undo themselves and tangle up. Heres what I’m talkin about: http://tr.im/hJDY

  • http://www.TheModernDayNomad.com MDNomad

    The USB cable I use for my berry works with my camera as well… its a dual purpose. And I hate loose wires… These cables are retractable and wind up themselves. Much neater than hand winding. They always undo themselves and tangle up. Heres what I’m talkin about: http://tr.im/hJDY

  • Rhyalus

    Thanks for the review, and guys, this is not just about finding a place to plug in your BB. If you are not a traveler, you have never searched for a damned outlet. Hotels are starting to get it now, even providing VGA in for the LCD TV in the room, but it is still a general hassle.

    My question is whether the .5A is really enough. Does it take longer with a .5A USB charge than the standard .7A for the Bold, for example? Heck, I use a 1A mobile charger in the car…

    Rhyalus

  • Rhyalus

    Thanks for the review, and guys, this is not just about finding a place to plug in your BB. If you are not a traveler, you have never searched for a damned outlet. Hotels are starting to get it now, even providing VGA in for the LCD TV in the room, but it is still a general hassle.

    My question is whether the .5A is really enough. Does it take longer with a .5A USB charge than the standard .7A for the Bold, for example? Heck, I use a 1A mobile charger in the car…

    Rhyalus

  • http://www.newbatterycharger.co.uk/ battery charger

    I travel a lot and used to carry a power strip and 2 phone chargers

  • http://www.marblepolishing.net Polishing Marble

    This really helped. Thanks for sharing.

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