Customer Reviews

Griffin PowerBlock AC Wall Charger for iPod, iPhone 1G, and Other USB Devices (White)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Griffin Power Block review for Griffin P/N: 9772-PWRBLKW

The Griffin Power Block carries a retail price of approximately the same as Apple's AC (Alternating Current) to USB charging adapter, but if you look around you will find the Power Block available for much less than the retail price. I will have to admit that I considered buying Apple's charging adapter because of its extremely compact size (about the same dimensions as a child's wooden playing block), but I decided to buy the Griffin Power Block since it comes with an extra iPod data-sync cable. This cable is not just for charging the batteries of all iPods, but is a fully functional data cable that you can use to sync your iPods. Many modern portable devices are powered by the +5 VDC regulated through the USB bus, so the Griffin's AC adapter can also act as a fully functional charger for devices such as GPS units or competing media players.

I evaluated the Power Block using a 2nd generation iPod shuffle, iPod Touch (Firmware 1.1.5), and a Tom Tom One XL GPS unit. The Griffin Power Block is a rapid charger but I did not detect exorbitant amounts of heat generated from either the AC adapter or the device. I used another Griffin FM transmitter that doubles as a USB charging point for use in a car (+12 VDC) and that unit generated a ferocious amount of heat during charging. The Griffin Power Block stays relatively cool throughout the charging process. It charged up the shuffle, Touch, and Tom Tom without any drama or problems. In fact, the Griffin Power Block is even capable of fully charging up a 2nd generation iPod shuffle. The LEDs on the Shuffle and Power Block will turn GREEN once the Shuffle is fully charged, indicating the Griffin has some type of smart charging circuitry.

The Griffin AC adapter is compatible with 120 VAC and 240 VAC systems, so you can take it with you on your international travels without worrying about compatibility with foreign outlets. The two prongs fold away, giving the AC adapter a compact profile that is easy to store in your pocket or bag. The prongs are supposedly non-polarized, so you can plug it "upside down" in an outlet without having to mess around with finding the correct orientation.

Pros: For the same price of an official Apple adapter, you get an extra data cable. The adapter is light, sleek, and versatile.

Cons: It is slightly larger than the new pint-sized Apple charger, and doesn't carry the Apple branding or logo.

Overall: It works as advertised and was compatible with every USB device I tried. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars!

I bought the Griffin PowerBlock AC Wall Charger for use with my iPod Touch. I resisted buying Apple's own wall charger because I felt it was a bit overpriced at $30. While the Griffin PowerBlock is the same price, at least you get a spare USB-to-dock cable as an extra bonus.

I've been using it for a couple of weeks now, and no problems. It's nice to be able to plug the iPod into a power outlet overnight and wake up the next morning to find a fully-charged unit. I have a notebook computer as my home computer, and I'd rather not keep it on 24/7 just to keep an iPod juiced up.

Also used it on my slightly-older iPod Video, works fine for charging that too. I'm guessing it'll work with just about any dock-input iPod/iPhone without any issues.

Only one minor shortcoming: The display light on the PowerBlock is supposed to stay red while charging, and turn green once charging is complete. In practice, when the iPod gets close (but not quite all the way) to full-charge, the light switches between red and green every couple of minutes, basically giving you a false-positive. Not the most reliable indicator, although it does turn a solid green once charging is fully done. (I suppose you could also check the iPod itself to confirm when it's done.)

Reviewer: Steve Aufrecht, Alaskan Apple Users Group Member
Product: Wall Charger for iPod, iPhone and iPad (on website called Power Block)
Company:Griffin
Contact: [...]
Price: $29.99 at Griffin ($18.65 and less at Amazon)
Pros: Charge iPod w/o compuer. Small, neat, so easy to use there are no instructions. Cons: None I've noticed
Moose: 5

Conflict of interest disclosure: Griffin provided a free copy of the Wall Charger to me through the Alaska Apple User Group for the purposes of the review. I had to review it within 3 weeks so I didn't have much time to try out the product.


This a neat little product that allows you to charge your iDevice without needing a computer. It is so simple that they don't even have any instructions. You just plug the USB connector into the dock, the other end into the device, and the plug into the wall. That's a big plus when you want to travel with it but not take your computer.

Also includes an extra cable.

When I got the charger out of the box it turned out to be smaller than I expected, which is good.

I tend to find things wrong with products, but I can't find any with this one.
I charged my iPod Touch when I got this at the beginning of September and it's still working three weeks later. I guess that could reflect how little I use it too. I lent it to a friend with an iPhone. The first time she used it she got a message saying the device couldn't be used with an iPhone. But then it worked. She's used it a couple of times and it's been fine.

After I discovered, that 3rd gen iPod touch cannot be charged on my older model wall charger, I have spend considerable amount of time looking for safe and effective USB charger.
There are lot of very inexpensive models and versions available on both Amazon and Ebay, but some of the reviewers claim, that their iPods got fried and /or otherwise damaged by using these cheaply made generic chargers.
Definitely not the risk worth taking or even considering, so I was OK paying just a bit more in exchange for quality.
After lot of research and reading many different reviews, I finally decided for this one and so far it looks like it was a great choice.
The size is ideal - very small and compact, so it is great for any traveling, and the fact (as I have read in other reviews) that it works with both 120V and 220V electric systems is a great advantage for any international travel without worrying about compatibility with foreign outlets (a great thing to have for my planned trip to Europe).
Charges quickly (about an hour or so from 20% to a full charge) and works well - I would gladly recommend this as your standard iPod accessory.

So far this is the only product I purchased that charges the iPod nano 4th generation (except for the usb cable). It has a charge indicator light. Very pleased.

This is the best wall charger you could ask for if you are buying any mp3 player or buying an ipod this is for you okay all you do is simple plug it in into a wall outlet use the included cable plug it in your ipod and their you go the light on it will be red which means its charging and then it will turn green once its done charging, if the cable included dosent work if you dont have an ipod then use the cable with the other mp3 player great buy, buy it today!

I just bought this a day ago for my iTouch 2G. Used it twice.

Saves you $10 on buying Apple's power block. It doesn't heat up. The prongs fold in so that it doesn't break and scratch anything that's in a bag. It comes with an additional ipod cable. I don't have to open my computer for 2 hours and 30 minutes just to charge it. I don't even spend that much time on the computer daily. It actually charges for 2 hours.

It doesn't fully charge when the green light is on. The battery on the ipod is still in charging mode. After 2 hours the light starts blinking red-green which freaked me out. But it turns out that it's fully charged at that point. Griffin needs to look into that.

There really isn't much you can say about an ipod charger, but this thing works just like it's supposed to. No problems at all, and has an indicator light to let you know when it is charging, and when it is done.

I can't believe that they actually sent me this! You mean to tell me that you don't test your products before sending them out to your clients? This has a short in it and cuts off so it's unable to hold a charge. I was so disgusted and surprised at this dealer who I thought was legit.