Macally PowerLink Emergency Battery Pack with 2 GB Pen Drive for iPod and iPhone (Black)
by Macally
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Category: Network Media Player
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: MacallyBrand: Macally
Edition: Electronics
Format: CD
Model: PowerLink
Color: Black
Publisher: Macally
Studio: Macally
Music Label: Macally
Product features:
- Compatibility: iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G; iPod classic 3G, 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G; iPhone 1G, 3G
- 270mAh Lithium-Ion battery provides emergency power for your iPhone or iPod
- Works as a data sync cable between iPhone/iPod and computer
- 2 GB flash drive for file storage
- Battery level indicator lets you know how much power is left
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Macally PowerLink Emergency Battery Pack with 2 GB Pen Drive for iPod and iPhone (Black)
Customer Review: Not for iPods Only
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
"Macally PowerLink 3-1n-1 Battery Pack/Data Sync/Flash Drive."
UPDATE: OK, to keep it honest, I have been using this little gizmo more than I expected, and while most of my comments still stand, it is proving to be quite handy. I still fear losing the caps, and ultimately the thing itself, but it in the meantime it has been rather helpful after all.
And I now give it a 5-star upgrade because today it went through the dreaded Washing Machine Torture Test (and a few minutes in the dryer), and after a few hours in the sun, seems to be working fine!
Whenever I hear the phrase "Three In One" I only think of one thing: oil. Before WD-40 became the ubiquitous King of Squeak, there was the little tin can with the red cap found on everybody's repair shelf. As everyone knows "WD" stands for "water displacement". How WD managed to also displace 3-in-1 is a mystery.
It's also a mystery just exactly what niche this product is supposed to fill. I must confess I am an iPod user only at this time, and evaluate the product strictly from that perspective- I feel if I were using this with a phone I would be writing a different review.
It is an attractive little thing, better looking than the photos. About the size of a pack of gum, it has an on/off switch for the battery, four tiny function LED's, and a cap at each end to protect the connector when not in use, and to be promptly and permanently lost the first time of use.
Having newly entered the iPod universe, at first this seemed like a handy little gadget to have around. And I am compelled to say I am only a recreational user of the device, so my comments are a bit biased. After a few days use with this device, I am hard pressed to predict where it what the primary role would be.
As a flash drive, OK. A data sync connector- won't a simple cable take care of that? And a battery backup? I can see why this would be terrific for an iPhone user, but I would have to really think hard to imagine a situation where the trauma of a dead Pod battery would be soothed by an emergency battery infusion. Or, to be actually in that situation of need, but have had the foresight to also carry along this little thing. At 6/10 of an ounce, and slick looking it's hardly inconvenient, but is also hardly necessary. And like a multi-function office machine, if you lose one device, you lose all three.
For charging and flash drive use, I first tried it on my main workstation, a Win98 relic. The battery charge light went to full, so that seemed to work. No connectivity to the flash drive, which did not surprise me. I emailed Macally to ask about a driver, and received a prompt response:
"Thank you for contacting us.
I am sorry that we do not have the Win98 driver, and we don't know whether it need or not, because the 98 has been face out from Microsoft."
I have always felt I had a "face out" relationship with Microsoft, too. But, it did recognize the device and seemed to charge it fully.
On the XP machine, it worked fine. Immediately shows up as a new drive, and for some reason contained a "New Microsoft Word Document", blank.
It was interesting to notice the sparse instructions "Specifications" section, the "talk time" had been stickered over to read "one hour". Diligent scraping reveals the original time was "25 Min". Upgrades are good.
Connecting it to a partially discharged Pod, the level immediately jumps to Full. So, in the name of an accurate review, I ran my Pod down to flat, and had a go.
Plugged it in and got the very dim "Charging, Please Wait" screen. The Macally's charge LED dropped down one point. Four minutes later the iPod woke up and the battery icon showed full. I resumed the play-test and saw that not surprisingly, lost the shuffle mix. I decided to work it a little with the cover flow and playing some games. I expected a run time of maybe 90 minutes, so almost three hours later when it finally gave up I was pleasantly surprised. I tried to keep the drive active, but mostly was only listening to tunes with the backlight on. I expect for phone usage, the battery life will be significantly shorter.
-I must at least comment on the packaging: is so nice to see something that comes in a simple cardboard box, protected by design and simple shapes instead of the hated hard plastic clamshell cases. This may seem an unusual point to make in a review, but I actually find myself directing my purchases away from those horridly wasteful plastic monstrosities whenever possible.
Considering a 4 GB flash drive can be had for under ten dollars, a wall/car charger about the same, and iPods come with a cable, I can't see this as a high priority purchase. The idea of having a flash drive slaved to an iPod has potential- though obscure- possibilities, maybe transferring artwork and music from a different location. I haven't thought of another so far, I will be sure to update this when I do. Battery life for the iPod was great, but as I mentioned earlier, it would take planning to have an emergency that it could resolve.
But for the gadget geek who must have it all, it is definitely a well made, as-advertised little device - it's no doubt a great stocking stuffer to be purchased by the unaware for the unappreciative.
More Macally PowerLink Emergency Battery Pack with 2 GB Pen Drive for iPod and iPhone (Black) reviews:
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Description of Macally PowerLink Emergency Battery Pack with 2 GB Pen Drive for iPod and iPhone (Black)
Macally Memory Stick with a built-in rechargeable battery with 30 pin connector - 2GBThe new PowerLink USB Adapter for iPhone is a convenient three-in-one device that most any iPhone or iPod user would find handy. The PowerLink combines a USB memory stick for storing files, a 30-pin cable for syncing your iPhone/iPod, and a charger with a built-in rechargeable battery.
Get Extra Power Away from Home
Take PowerLink with you for emergency power for your iPhone or iPod with 30-pin dock connector. It's easy to use: Just connect PowerLink to your iPhone/iPod, and switch on PowerLink's power. PowerLink boasts a 270mAh Lithium-Ion battery that provides 500mA powering current to the iPhone or iPod. That's equal to about 25 minutes of talk time on an iPhone. (Note: The PowerLink does not actually charge the iPhone or iPod; it powers the devices as an external battery pack.)
When it's time to recharge, PowerLink's internal battery can be charged from any computer with a USB port or through a USB power adapter. During charging, each LED takes approximately one hour to light up. It takes approximately three hours to fully charge the PowerLink's battery.
Use as Flash Drive
See that USB connector? PowerLink works just like any other USB flash drive--simply plug it into any computer's USB port and use it to take your files with you. It provides 2 GB, but it's also available in other capacities.
Use as Sync Cable Adapter
While connected to your device, PowerLink works just like a regular iPhone/iPod data sync cable to transfer files and data through iTunes, or to charge the iPhone/iPod through a computer. A USB extension cable is included for use with a desktop computer.
What's in the Box
PowerLink, USB female extension cable, User's Guide
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