Mobility PS0055-11 iGo Juice Combination AC and Auto/Air Power Adapter Reviews

• The Juice answered my prayers!

  
  By A147KB7ILYD1WL on 2003-09-17
  If you're a frequent business traveler, you will probably benefit greatly from the Juice power adapter.

  The Juice provides power for your laptop for both AC and DC power. You can plug it into the wall, a car outlet, or either style of airplane outlet. And, what's more, is that with the optional Peripheral Power System, you can SIMULTANEOUSLY charge your cell phone or PDA.

  The Juice is like having 4 (or 6) chargers in one. Imagine, instead of bringing two power bricks (your AC Laptop Adapter, your DC/Airplane power adapter), an AC Cell Phone Charger, and a Car Cell Phone Charger, you can now do it with just ONE brick.

  I recently purchased my Juice, and it truly is everything it claims to be.

  Another great feature about the Juice is that it comes with a wide variety of "tips" - you just change the tip and you can plug into a different type of laptop. This is handy when you upgrade to a new laptop, the juice will still work with it. Or, if you have two laptops from different manufacturers, just switch easily between two tips.

  One small concern I have about the tips, however, is that they slip on/off very easily, and do not lock in place on the cord. When unplugging it from my Laptop, for example, the plug came out of the tip, leaving the tip still attached to my computer. Not a big deal, though, but something to be aware of. If you lose the tip, your whole trip will be ruined!

  (If, for some reason the Juice does not come with a tip that is compatible with your laptop, they will send you one free of charge).

  As for the carrying pouch, it's nice that they include the pouch to help hold everything together. Additionally, all of the cables come with velcro ties - a nice touch. The pouch is a little overstuffed, especially when you add the extra cell phone charging cord...that's a total of four cables and a brick in one little pouch. And if you add more than one tip, it's pretty tight. It does all fit, but does not seem like the most efficient organization. I opted to store my cables in a RoadWired Deluxe Cable Stable instead.

  Specifications:
  AC Input: 100-230 V ~2A 50/60 Hz
  DC Input: 11.75-16 VDC ~8A MAX
  Continuous power output: up to 70 watts
  Safety features: over voltage protection, current limit, over temperature protection, short circuit protection
  Unit dimensions: 5.40"L x 2.15"W x 0.85"H
  Unit weight: 7.5 oz.
  Cord lengths:
  AC Input: 3.0'
  DC Input: 3.0'
  DC Output: 6.0'
  Peripheral Powering System power output: 7.5 watts DC max
  Peripheral Powering System cord length: 3.0'
  Warranty: 2 years

  Mobility Electronic's Product Info Page:
  http://www.igo.com/mapfiles/juice.asp
  
  

• Over-priced for what it includes and does

  
  By A5JLAU2ARJ0BO on 2005-10-06
  I have the iGo Juice^70 model PS0055. This is a three-in-one adapter -- AC, vehicle, airplane -- that can power and charge your notebook computer. With an optional accessory, you can also charge another mobile electronics device, such as an MP3 player, a cell phone, or a PDA. In other words, the Juice can charge at most two devices: a notebook, plus one other small gadget. Unlike what some other reviews have said, the Juice cannot power/charge more than two things at a time.
  
  The Juice comes with 10 tips for a variety of notebook computer brands, from Compaq and HP to Fujitsu to Panasonic. Unfortunately and unforgiveably, no tips is included for the popular Sony and Toshiba notebooks. You can call iGo to request a free Sony- or Toshiba-compatible tip; whether they'll actually mail it to you is something I can't verify. (There doesn't seem to be a way to make the request on their website.)
  
  In addition to the heavy brick-style power converter/transformer ("adapter"), you get an AC cord, a vehicle/airplane combination cord, and a notebook input cord. Let me explain. The AC cord and the auto/air cord bring source power to the Juice brick; i.e., you plug one of them into the approriate power outlet and also into the Juice brick. The notebook input cord then goes from the Juice to your notebook, with the correct power tip attached. Be sure to use the correct tip! Not only is it a question of size and fit, but also polarity and probably also voltage control. Unfortunately, iGo's tips are poorly made and there are many reports of poor fits. (Everything in the package is made in China.)
  
  (Tip: even though the Juice comes with an insert of notebook compatibility charts, be sure to go to the iGo website for updated and correct compatibility check! The charts have a number of mistakes. For example, it says my Fujitsu C2210 notebook should use Tip 11, whereas in reality it's Tip 3 that will work, something that's correctly stated on the iGo website.)
  
  On the notebook input cord is a connection point for an optional secondary powering system. You can buy one of these on iGo's website for about $30. With this and an appropriate tip (another $10, not included in the secondary system), you get a secondary adapter, i.e., an adapter for the Juice adapter! This secondary adapter then allows you to charge/power your cell phone or PDA or MP3, one at a time, each with its own corresponding tip. For example, if I were to get a tip for my Sanyo SCP-8100 cell phone, I'd have to buy an A02 tip, in addition to the secondary system (which is called "DualPower Accessory for Mobile Electronic Devices" on iGo's website).
  
  OK, the Juice works as advertised. It can get hot during operation. My gripe regarding its design is it's rather bulky, like a brick, and a bit heavy at 7 oz. without the cords. The traveling weight -- the brick plus the three cords -- weigh at least a whole pound. iGo does give you a cheaply made pouch to store them. Now, if you get the secondary power system in order to charge/power another gadget, the secondary adapter will weigh at least 4 or 5 oz., excluding its own power cord!
  
  Again: out of box the Juice cannot power any cell phones, PDAs or MP3 players. You must purchase an additional secondary adapter and the right power tips. I simply cannot how some reviewers lied about or omitted this important hard fact about the Juice.
  
  My biggest gripe is how expensive this whole thing is. I paid over $100 for the Juice and the special tip for my Sharp Actius MM20 ultralight notebook. Then I found out in order to power my Sanyo cell phone or my HP iPaq Pocket PC PDA, I'd have to buy a secondary adapter plus one tip for each! The additional costs, and weights, can add up quickly. Not to mention the headaches of managing all the power tips.
  
  Let me say this: I regret my purchase of the iGo Juice. The small AC adapter that came with my Sharp Actius MM20 weighs a mere 2 oz. The AC adapter for my Sanyo phone is a mere 1 oz. Together they take up far less space and weigh far less than the Juice brick alone, not to mention I don't even have a secondary iGo adapter yet. Nor do I plan to buy one. (So right now I can only charge one notebook at a time. I still need to carry the Sanyo and iPaq adapters.)
  
  My advice: don't waste your money, seriously. If you need a vehicle adapter, get a cheap one from Radio Shack or direct from your otebook manufacturer. The airplane plug in the Juice package is useless as most modern airplanes accommodate regular power plugs. The Juice package, for its high price, doesn't even include world outlet adapters, so you can only use the AC cord in the U.S.
  
  A very poor value IMHO.
  
  

• Good idea - poor design

  
  By on 2003-12-19
  While the iGo Juice is a great idea and potentially useful for travellers, after 4 uses the end that connects to the PC adapter snapped right off. The design of the tip is far too flimsy especially for travel. (Two of the four uses were at home, two on the road)

  Calling technical support didn't help either - no return call after two attempts.

  Good idea - poor design, not great customer service. If Mobility improve their design, I'd certainly consider trying again. But until then - back to one plug per gadget!
  
  

• Make sure it fits your laptop

  
  By A3GBOJVJX2XTMU on 2004-02-17
  I picked up a Juice at Radio Shack in Nehsaminy Mall, PA. The salesguy assured me it'd fit my Inspiron 5150..since the 5000 is listed. It seems well designed, elegant and I like the idea of getting juice no matter where I am.. the whole bag with cords isn't much bigger than the brick from Dell.

  Wish I'd tried it before leaving the store..it doesn't fit.

  The preceeding review says "If, for some reason the Juice does not come with a tip that is compatible with your laptop, they will send you one free of charge" -- this is WRONG.. they can't support every wacky laptop.

  If if they don't have tip you're -out of luck-. Tech support got back to me quickly to confirm this. So..do your homework, and don't believe everything salespeople tell you!
  
  

• Does not support high wattage Notebooks -> replace desktop

  
  By A30C8SO4G69O7Y on 2004-10-13
  After going throught the igo site I thought that I could buy the igo juice to power my notebook, a cell phone and a personal organizer. I was wrong.
  
  Firstly, although I used their configurator tool, it mistakenly told me that I could buy the juice and use it. E mailing technical support, I found out I need a lot more wattage than this product supplies. Nor would it power my other electronic products that should have been compatible.
  
  My laptop needs about 120W, the best they have tops out at 90W.
  
  Also some of the parts do not connect together.
  
  Be warned that their web site is a horror to navigate around, technical support on the site is extremely limited and the FAQ are a rehash of other pages. If you want a list of the products available you cannot get there without navigating through the configurator again.
  
  
• iGo... these stay - I love that ad (and the product!)
  By A3OAN5BSRP08XF on 2005-06-11
  So I like gadgets, and I believe they make my life easier... whenever I travel, I almost always take all of the following with me:
  
  * PalmOne Treo 600 world phone - this is an unlocked GSM world phone... swap out SIM cards and you get a localized mobile phone anywhere in the world...
  * Sony Playstation Portable - perfect for long flights and settling down before going to sleep in the hotel... beatiful video games in the palms of your hand (also plays music and video if you want). Thanks to Ken for the reco - I love this thing!
  * Dell Jukebox - 4000 songs in one little package
  * HP/Compaq laptop - normally my corporate issue NC4000, but sometimes our personal zt3000 as well.
  * Digital camera - currently a Minolta DiMAGE xT - tiny and takes nice pictures
  
  
  The problem with carrying all of these gadgets around is that everyone has a rechargable battery built in - and all requires their own power supply. The solution I use is the iGo power system. Let me tell you a bit about it...
  
  iGo is distributed by a fairly small company called Mobility Electronics (sometimes products sold under "xtend micro products"). They have focused on the niche market of portable power supplies - and they do this with excellence. There products allow you to power your devices via AC (both 110v & 220v), via airplane in seat power, and in your car / cigarrette power adaptor.
  
  The iGo product offering consists of a power brick with wall-to-brick to cord, and a wall-to-device cord. To make the device work, you connect a "power tip" at the end of the wall-to-device cord. Each notebook computer has a speciallized tip, and sometimes a notebook manufactur will have 2 or 3 different tips... so be sure you have the right one.
  
  If you buy the iGo 7500 (I bought the iGo Juice - but these are pretty much the same products), you get the brick, wall-to-brick cords (both AC and airplane in-seat and car cigarrete lighters), brick-to-device cord, tips for common laptop models.
  
  Here was my overall shopping list:
  
  * PS0055-11 - the base Juice system - includes main power brick, US-standard wall-to-brick cord, auto/air connector, brick to device cord, standard notebook tips (make sure your notebook uses one of those, or buy the necessary one).
  * AC0103-10 - bag of handheld tips - includes one for the Sony Playstation Portable (uses tip B07), the Dell Axim (which I no longer use very often, but uses tip B07), the PalmOne Treoo 600 (uses tip A26), and the Dell Jukebox (generation 1) (uses tip B07)
  * PS0229-10 - DualPower Accessory for Portable Electronics - this lets you charge two devices (laptop + MP3 player simultaneously). Comes with a car cigareete adaptor - so you use just this device + a tip to charge an MP3 player, cell phone, etc. in your car (without the power brick)
  * 6620012 - European power cord for the Juice system - use this instead of the US-standard 110V cord.
  
  I have also purchased a Targus Universal Power Travel Adapter (Model # PA033U) to help me convert plug sizes for the United Kingdom (220v but different pin-out, Switzerland (European standard round pins but smaller in size)... so I am set for anywhere in the world.
  
  All the iGo parts + the Targus adaptor fit into one fairly durable bag that iGo provides to you... I leave this bag packed all the time, and when I depart for a trip, I grab my "iGo" bag... and I know I have all the parts that I need to meet my power needs for all my devices anywhere in the world.
  
  My advice - don't buy individual tips... get the packs of tips / cables / etc. whenever they are available. Much better value. Be careful not to lose the tips... they can come off the ends of the cables...
  
  Before I buy any new portable electronic device, I check to see if it is compatible with my iGo... if it isn't, I don't buy it (my digital camera is not compatible - it was purchased before the iGo - so the camera will probably get replaced soon). I highly recommend this product.
  
  
• Not Compatible with Dell Lattitude D600
  By A3FEUD44N2CYGK on 2004-06-20
  The iGo websitre is wrong, and these people do not have a compatible tip for the dell latitude series notebooks. Customer service was horrible. I pitty people that have to deal with this company. At least I got out early.
  
  
• Very expensive and poor quality, better off with $5 USB charger
  By A1AZ06ZLNARW3P on 2005-11-01
  I travel a lot, especially to Europe, and hate taking lots of cables with me for the Vonage, router, laptop, cellphone and crackberry. The iJuice unit looked like a good idea.
  
  HOWEVER, the unit just failed during my trip, leaving me stranded and badly caught out with no back-up. BAD IDEA
  
  A friend switched me on to charging everything via USB. I just bought a cheap $5.00 USB charger for the Nokia, the crackberry charges via USB anyway, so I just needed to buy an ordinary laptop 110/240v adaptor and I was all set. Laptop and nokia phone all charging away at the same time.
  
  Single point of failure is the laptop. However, Apple does a great universal adaptor (you can get UK./US etc plugs) with USB for charging Ipods for $20, all in one neat unit. You can just stick the USB for the Nokia in the back.
  
  Seriously, don't waste your money, unless you use more than one laptop or really need a particular tip you can't charge via USB. Using USB is far lighter, far more reliable, you don't loose the tips.
  
  
• Stopped working after two months
  By A23RDJFIXJMHP7 on 2005-11-09
  I saw several people state that this product stopped working after a short while, but it seemed like a reputable company, and I liked the idea of a charger that I could continue to use if I got a new laptop, so I went ahead and bought it, taking my chances.
  
  It began flickering in and out of power after two months, and now hardly works at all. I should have bought the IBM product to match my computer.
  
  It might just be the tip which needs to be replaced, but at 15 bucks a pop, I don't want to have to replace these every two months.
  
  Don't buy it.
  
  
• So far, so good
  By A197T2N6RU7K56 on 2004-08-22
  So there I was on a road trip in a small Oklahoma town to attend a family reunion, with my Winbook J1 notebook, my digital camera and the idea I'd take pics and upload them to the notebook to view and share. Till I realized I'd left the Winbook's AC power cord at home and there was no way the battery would last long enough to power the things I wanted to do.
  
  I went to the local Radio Shack and bought the PS00055-11 Juice. It worked fine. The tip I used at first after trying them, turned out not to be the one the manual listed for my J1 so I changed to that one. I haven't tried to use the DC adapter yet or to use the Juice with any other electronic item. Still, it saved my vacation so if it doesn't wreck my PC, and I get a few more uses out of it before it dies, I'm reasonably pleased with it.
  
  A single AC power/recharge solution is an elegant concept. All these "convenient" electronic devices requiring different cords and cables turn travel into an inconvenient proposition.
  
  
• Next Time, iGo To Another Brand
  By A2G935GMRAUIRW on 2004-11-07
  At eighteen months old, my iGo Juice adapter has developed the 'blinking diode' symptom that other iGo Juice owners report on the Internet. It will not power my laptop now, unless warmed up for about two hours, and unless I keep pressing the laptop's power switch. Eventually, it 'catches' and the laptop will come on.
  
  For an adapter that is so costly and is advertised as an all-in-one solution to one's travel power needs, eighteen months does not feel like an acceptable lifespan. It is certainly not acceptable to have a two-hour warmup before the device will work. I'm disappointed, and I'm going back to a dedicated, 'factory' adapter for my laptop.
  
  
• iGo Juice
  By A1KB7WWY4NXF9Q on 2005-05-30
  The Good: It has worked for me in AC wall outlets, with appropriate plug adaptors, in the Ireland and Italy (as well as in the USA and Mexico without plug adaptors) with my Sony R505 and my Apple PowerBook G4.
  
  The Bad: It will not even light up when plugged into the cigarette lighter in my Toyota LandCruiser, nor would it light up when plugged into the laptop ports on Continental 767s and 777s or United 777s or Alitalia 767s or 777s with the same two laptops (Sony R505 and Apple PowerBook G4). Note that Continental and United 757s (and several airlines' 737s, 319s and 320s) that I have flown on do not have the power ports at all, so the Juice was useless on these planes anyway.
  
  On one Continental 777 I asked the flight attendant how to get the Juice to work in the laptop port. She tried it on my laptop, and those of two other passengers on the plane who were using Juice with their laptops - and mine would not work with any of theirs. She tried switch parts out, and my Juice finally worked with THEIR cable. So when I got home I ordered a replacement to the cable section that she had switched it with - and it still has not worked on yet another Continental 767, or in my Toyota's cigarette lighter adapter.
  
  Another passenger on the Alitalia 767 said that he had the same problem with the iGo Juice and instead uses the APC auto/air adapter, and has used it with no problem on various Alitalia and British Airways planes.
  
  I even tried getting another iGo adapter - the iGo Everywhere - and it would light up in the cigarette lighter of another car, but would go out as soon as I attached either of the laptops. So I returned that iGo immediately and am looking now for a battery pad, or maybe to try the APC auto/air adapter.
  
  
• Poor Quality and Bulky but Great Customer Service
  By A2QOO4E0L42B40 on 2005-01-04
  Purchased this as a means to power my laptop (IBM Thinkpad T41) in my car and as a means to have a single power adapter for both my cell phone (Nokia) and laptop on trips.
  
  The adapter to power the cell phone emitted a high-pitched beeping sound, rendering it useless out of the box. The connection from the computer to the power pack went bad in under 6 months. I contacted iGo Customer Service about this and they promptly and cordially (!) replaced the cords to the power pack.
  
  Additionally, the combination of the IGo cell phone adapter with the laptop power adapter was actually bulkier to carry around than the AC Adapters that came with the cell phone and the laptop.
  
  
• Not reliable enough
  By A28HV0B1T6HG1R on 2005-07-20
  My second IGO died. I replaced my first one after the connector to the power unit broke. My second was of moody character and would go on strike every few hours. However I took it along around the world but ultimately the blue light died for good. This is a great concept but the quality of the manufacture is not what heavy users need.
  
  
• Great Tool for Road Warrior
  By AC83ASW7K046F on 2004-07-01
  I've been using the juice iGo system for about 8 months. It is a real space and weight saver for the frequent traveler. I have used is successfully with my Toshiba Portege 3505, my Sony Clie, and Sony T68i cell phone including the bluetooth headset. I can travel with one charger instead of three and it easily plugs in to the adapter outlets on airplanes as well as in automobiles.

  I can keep my laptop and cell phone or PDA charged at the same which is especially helpful in hotels with limited power outlets.

  It has held up well on countless trips and I have had no issues to date (no breakage like some other reviewers for example). If you are looking for a second power adapter for your notebook I would highly recommend this for its flexibility and convenience.
  
  

• Poor Quality Control
  By A1WHOMC1ZVSJTO on 2004-08-25
  What a nifty idea! Too bad their quality control stinks.
  
  The first one was defective, and so was the second (replacement). Never did get to charge my laptop... It looks like the device sets the voltage based on the tip you use, and certain tips require more volts. With both iGo Juice adapters I tried they were unable to properly power certain tips -- presumably the higher voltage ones, such as the one my laptop (a Toshiba) requires. When I called iGo, Customer support promptly declared them "defective" and said to return them. At least they acknowledge the problem...
  
  Amazon.com's support when returning them has been great.
  
  
• Juice will not power simple devices alone, January 5, 200
  By AFZXS5ANBFTSR on 2005-01-08
  This is a quirk of the device and the description is only partially correct. There must be a laptop tip on the cable in order to use the peripheral power system tips. It does *not* need to be connected to a laptop. I got this info direct from the manufacturer and have found it to be true.
  
  
• i don't go juice
  By on 2004-07-08
  I have/had been using the juice since October of last year. Worked great until the AC portion stopped working a couple weeks ago. DC portion still works. I noticed Targus makes a similar unit and user feedback for that unit indicates a similar problem. Contacted Mobility customer service for assistance and they were very helpful. Can't do an exchange though since they need a receipt and I got the unit from work (no receipt).
  
  
• Good in theory. Bad design
  By A2KH0EYUJDK05P on 2005-05-18
  This adapter is a great idea and wonderful when it works. When I put all the cables back into the back I find it's a lot less bulky then my regular adapter. And it is so cool to be on a plane and charging both my computer and phone at the same time.
  
  But the design is bad so they break quickly. With my first one I would occassionally not put it back in its case but instead would just throw all the cables into my backpack if I was in a rush. Eventually the tip of the cable (not the removable tip) broke and it stopped charging.
  
  The replacement that I bought, I treated like antique china. I was always very careful to but the cables back neatly in the back and handled it with kid gloves. But eventually the end of the cable just fell apart as well (and replacement cables can not be purchased separately.)
  
  It's too bad as it is a cool product idea. If you get one you'll love it at first. But don't expect to get more than about 20 uses out of it.
  
  
• Compact versatile travel power
  By A2MCAQX4WYY2V7 on 2005-07-11
  iGo has adapters for car/boat and every in-seat airplane power that I've run across. It comes with a reasonable selection of adapters, but if needed you can get more obscure ones from the company or at Radio Shack.
  
  It is packaged in a compact case and runs cool.
  
  I love this thing.
  
  
• Workhorse
  By A2YJ33KZN1ZNKU on 2005-10-17
  It's a great product. I wore my old one out, so I bought another!
  
  
• iGo Juice &0
  By AOI4O2PK3CGMW on 2006-05-08
  I travel about once a week, and the inevitable finally happened... my adapter got left behind somewhere on my way to a presentation. The only adapter that Brookstone had for my Toshiba Tecra M2 was the iGo... so I bought it along with the dual power adapter and tips for my iPod and Blackberry.
  
  Started by using it on the plane from East to West coast, and it performed like a champ... and I arrived with a fully powered laptop, ipod and cell phone. In fact, it was working so well that I let the guy sitting next to me power HIS blackberry....
  
  I got back to the office... and found my original power cord.... but found that the iGo powers back up my laptop battery quicker - and yes, that worries me a bit but I don't see any immediate side effects. I did create a little bit of a buzz at the office... because all the other road warriors wanted to see the thing and how it worked.
  
  The biggest minus is the cost... between the iGo, the dual power adapter, and the adapter tips for the iPod, blackberry and Dell Axim x50v I will need to power I am beating the heck out of $[...] dollars.
  
  I really want to keep it, but am just not sure I can justify the cost for a replacement to power cords I already own. I could, of course, just use that kind of money to buy a bigger briefcase....
  
  By the way, if you want to find out where the power ports in different carriers planes are, just go to [...]
  
  
• This is JUNK
  By A3Q7MIM7L7S05W on 2006-07-06
  I bought one of these about 3 days ago and it's already broken. I try to charge my ipaq1940 with the suggested tip and the adapter begins to continually reset my PDA. Not only that, but it drains rather than charges the battery. This is an extremely overpriced piece of junk, you'd be better off taking the large amount of money you would invest buying this product and consolidating whatever various devices you're trying to charge into one smart phone/pda/whatever that does everything you want.
  
  
• Doesn't Charge Dell Batteries
  By A3PD7SO1H0ZI5 on 2006-09-03
  One thing that one needs to be aware of is that this does NOT charge Dell batteries, and therefore can't really be used as a replacement for a Dell adapter. I suggest you skip this overpriced item and just purchase a Dell charger (1/3 the price as well). Also, it seems to run quite hot--I've been warned that too much use might fry my motherboard.
  
  
• Works as Promised
  By APP8XWYYV4PAA on 2004-07-04
  The Juice eliminates two adapters on my trips, as I have two cell phones. It works great and is lighter than the adapter that came with my IBM Thinkpad. Haven't had the need to use the air and car adapters but know I have power if I need it.
  
  

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