High Quality Car Charger?

[Paul8716]

I just want a dual-USB car charger that can simultaneously charge two Android phones at AC speeds (whatever amperage that is - 850 mA to 1A?) and doesn't have to be modded to do it. Does such a thing exist? I find it ******ed that Apple has screwed up this whole market making it almost impossible to find a charger that just follows standard USB specs.

Thanks!

Please help this guy out. I am wondering the same thing.

 

[skiflyer]

Generally helpful community here. I think the lack of such a simple response is telling you that you might be out of luck for the time being.

I agree it sucks, sucks even more that you can't tell from the packaging before you purchase, but not much to be done about it.

 

[PhilosoRaptor]

Please help this guy out. I am wondering the same thing.

Generally helpful community here. I think the lack of such a simple response is telling you that you might be out of luck for the time being.

I agree it sucks, sucks even more that you can't tell from the packaging before you purchase, but not much to be done about it.

Thanks. I just buckled and ordered this Griffin charger and these charging cables that were mentioned earlier in the thread. If I can find my soldering iron and some solder lying around, I guess I'll just mod it. But I have those cables in the mean time. My Motorola charger just crapped out on me (connecter seems to have worn out) and I need a replacement ASAP. That was a good charger for the last year or so I've had it though.

Now watch me discover the perfect car charger the immediately after receiving shipment .

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

I have the same type of car charger that has the two USB ports, and you plug your USB cable into it to charge your phone. I used it with my Droid X, both directly and through the car dock. I'm not sure if it came with the car dock or if I bought it separately.

But anyway, no matter what cable I use, including the one that came with the G'Nex, it won't charge the phone. I checked the same cable(s) with my Droid X in the car and also with the G'Nex on my computer and the cable works. But if I pull the USB cable out about halfway on the car charger side, there's a small range that will make the G'Nex charge. If that doesn't make sense, I can take a picture.

I found that pretty weird. Is it typical for this phone? Should I go ahead with the Griffin charger and be able to use it with the Samsung cable that it came with (or other micro USB cables)?

 

[GrandMasterB]

I have the same type of car charger that has the two USB ports, and you plug your USB cable into it to charge your phone. I used it with my Droid X, both directly and through the car dock. I'm not sure if it came with the car dock or if I bought it separately.

But anyway, no matter what cable I use, including the one that came with the G'Nex, it won't charge the phone. I checked the same cable(s) with my Droid X in the car and also with the G'Nex on my computer and the cable works. But if I pull the USB cable out about halfway on the car charger side, there's a small range that will make the G'Nex charge. If that doesn't make sense, I can take a picture.

I found that pretty weird. Is it typical for this phone? Should I go ahead with the Griffin charger and be able to use it with the Samsung cable that it came with (or other micro USB cables)?

I have 4 different USB cables including the one that came with the Gnex and they all charge as AC in the top port of the Griffin charger that I received. I haven't had any problems but I don't use it often either. Its more of a peace of mind thing.

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

I have 4 different USB cables including the one that came with the Gnex and they all charge as AC in the top port of the Griffin charger that I received. I haven't had any problems but I don't use it often either. Its more of a piece of mind thing

Ok, just bought it! Thanks!

 

[DavidC]

I'd just like to say that my verizon charger I got with my original droid has stopped charging the nexus. not sure why

 

[PhilosoRaptor]

I'd just like to say that my verizon charger I got with my original droid has stopped charging the nexus. not sure why

Probably just the connector wearing out. Seems to be the death of every charger I've had after a year or two. Me and my wife are still using the chargers that came with our OG Droids though. It's my main charger that's used every night. You switch the cables out?

 

[DavidC]

oops I meant the verizon car charger.

the one that came with the original droid from motorola is still working.

 

[PhilosoRaptor]

I have 4 different USB cables including the one that came with the Gnex and they all charge as AC in the top port of the Griffin charger that I received. I haven't had any problems but I don't use it often either. Its more of a peace of mind thing.

Was that with this Griffin charger? I just got that one today and went to test it out. With the Samsung USB cable that came with my Nexus, both ports charged at USB speeds. With the Naztech charging cables, both ports charged at AC speeds even with both ports occupied by my Kindle Fire and Galaxy Nexus (couldn't tell if the Kindle was getting AC speeds, but I switched the ports around and the Nexus pulled AC speeds on both ports with the Kindle plugged into the other port).

I'm happy with the charger so far though. I really like how tiny it is and it's really clean looking. Hopefully it lasts a long time because I'm tired of chargers crapping out on me every 6 months to a year.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/r...product/B003VYBCAY/ref=oh_o00_s01_i00_details

 

[Jedi54]

How long is the cable?

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

I just got the Griffin and mine works as expected. The top port gave me AC, while using a Blackberry cable. Car was off and it still worked.

 

[jamor]

I got the OEM Samsung Galaxy Nexus Rapid Car Charger for $7.49 free shipping on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Samsung ECA-U20CBEGSTA Verizon Galaxy Nexus Car Charger - Retail Packaging - Black: Cell Phones & Accessories

Came in retail packaging unused unopened with very long cable.

It also detaches to be used as a USB DATA cable!

Here is the OEM page:

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones-accessories/ECA-U20CBEGSTA

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

I just got the Griffin and mine works as expected. The top port gave me AC, while using a Blackberry cable. Car was off and it still worked.

Ok, so like I said, it worked great the first time I used it. I didn't keep the phone plugged in any length of time then. So then the first time I went to actually use the charger, it didn't work. I've tried a combination of a different phone, different cables, and plugging it into another car. The phones didn't charge with any combination, meaning the charger itself is the problem.

Has anyone else had issues? I kept it plugged in with a cable in it while not in use, but that's the typical thing that everyone does, so it must have been made to take that. Do you guys think it may have just shorted out?

I guess I'll try returning it for a replacement. PUT Group is who fulfilled the order from the link above.

Edit: from the reviews, I'm guessing I got one of the counterfeit (or otherwise eff'ed up) ones. It didn't come in any kind of retail packaging, just plastic. It was $15.57 with shipping. I guess I'll just have to eat that and probably end up buying the same product from a legit retail store.

Honestly, the more I use Amazon, the harder it is for me to tell the difference b/t buying on it versus "Buy It Now" on an ebay store.