Review: iGo everywhere

The propaganda

Despite the fact that nearly every modern gadget runs off some sort of Li-ion battery, it is alarming just how many power adaptors you need to keep even a modest number of devices juiced up. It is really daft, but sadly there must be a fair bit of cash involved in the sale of power adaptors because companies (I’m thinking of mobile phones manufacturers especially) aren’t exactly falling over themselves in their attempts to make things easier.

Fortunately, iGo recently launched its ‘everywhere’ power adaptor which is making a noble effort to solve all your power problems with a single device. Basically it is a single power cable that fits both the accompanying mains plug and the in-car cigarette lighter plug. You then buy the appropriate tips to match your gadget – be it a mobile, handheld games console, MP3 player, Bluetooth headset, or basically anything, with only a few exceptions. There’s even a Splitter available which let’s you charge two devices at the same time.

The good

Despite the fact that nearly every modern gadget runs off some sort of Li-ion battery, it is alarming just how many power adaptors you need to keep even a modest number of devices juiced up. It is really daft, but sadly there must be a fair bit of cash involved in the sale of power adaptors because companies (I’m thinking of mobile phones manufacturers especially) aren’t exactly falling over themselves in their attempts to make things easier.

Fortunately, iGo recently launched its ‘everywhere’ power adaptor which is making a noble effort to solve all your power problems with a single device. Basically it is a single power cable that fits both the accompanying mains plug and the in-car cigarette lighter plug. You then buy the appropriate tips to match your gadget – be it a mobile, handheld games console, MP3 player, Bluetooth headset, or basically anything, with only a few exceptions. There’s even a Splitter available which let’s you charge two devices at the same time.

The bad

Honestly, there isn’t really anything to complain about. Once you’ve got all your appropriate tips, that’s it really. It is worth noting that there are a few devices that can’t be charged using the iGo everywhere so unfortunately you can’t expect it to solve every single one of your power issues in one. Because digital cameras and laptops use a different voltage from things like mobile phones, they won’t be able to be charged from the same system. It’s a bit of a shame, but I believe iGo is working on a solution to this problem.

Geek Sheet

iGo everywhere package contents:
AC unit, In-car unit, Retractable cable, Travel bag

Tips available separately: fit pretty much every brand of mobile phone, PDA, GPS unit, handheld games console, Bluetooth headset, MP3 player that you can think of.

Also available: Splitter for charging two devices at once

Overview

Every self respecting geek should seriously consider getting an iGo everywhere – even if you only carry a couple of gadgets with you at any one time, the basic unit alone, with a couple of tips, is far more practical for taking on your travels than a couple of normal power adaptors. And when you get something new you can just spend a couple of quid on a tip rather than coughing up for some extortionately priced, official branded adaptor.

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Related sites: iGo