NuPower Charge & Sync Review — One Solution for Multiple Devices

So last month I noticed another portable device charger in the Newer Technologies NuPower Charge & Sync. I’ve been using a review unit for the past week and I’m generally impressed by this $39.95 solution. The device itself is fairly light at just over three ounces, so it’s easy to pack and carry. There a slide-out lever on the back that exposes prongs to plug the device in — that’s the method used to charge the 1400 mAh Lithium Ion battery inside. A power button ensures that you’re not leaking any energy when not in use.

 

Most innovative about the NuPower Charge & Sync is the support for a wide range of mobile devices, which is something I place a high value on. I’m not one to buy a single solution for one device when I can purchase a solution that works for multiple devices. The NuPower manages this through three included cables: a 30-pin iPod/iPhone connector, micro-USB and mini-USB. Each of these little cables are only eight inches long, but I find that to be a benefit. When not in use, they wrap around the battery pack in a little cutout channel, keeping the sides of the unit flush. It’s easy to swap out the cables, although I’d like to see a small carry pouch included to carry them. That small nit aside, with the cables this one charger works with my iPhone 3GS, my Palm Pre, a T-Mobile G1 and the Nokia N900 I have on loan. Due to the plastic on the connectors, I found a minor challenge using the cable with devices that have covers for their USB power ports — it took a little finagling to make this work with my Pre, for example.

This charger should work with most mobile devices using these connectors, provided that the device is compatible with the power output of the NuPower Charge & Sync. The unit’s output voltage is a fairly generic 5.1V to 5.5V and provides 650 mA through the USB cables. The Newer Technologies folks tell me that portable cameras with micro-USB or mini-USB are supported as well, but I don’t have one to test with.

When I first saw the NuPower Charge & Sync, I wondered what the “sync” part of the title meant. That’s where the USB cables come into play. The device itself is simply a battery, but the cables can be used to connect any compatible device with the USB port of a computer. So essentially, you’ve got some spare USB connections if you carry the NuPower Charge & Sync. With that kind of flexibility, I’d say this is a winner for anyone that carries multiple handsets or digital audio players.

loading

Comments have been disabled for this post