RichardSolo Dexim Dual Dock Charger for iPhone 3G + iPod – Review

It wasn’t long ago that I was completely perplexed by the concept of a dual iPod charger. Unless a couple each had an iPhone who needs one? Fast forward a bit and the answer is… ME. Yup, with my iPhone, iPod Touch and Nano (for when I want to go super-light), I am the poster-child for needing a dual charger.

Fortunately the new dual-charger from RichardSolo has me covered.

Let’s take a look.

The Hype-

"This is an easy solution for all the iPhone and iPod devices that need a place to recharge every night, or during the day. Two identical docks in one compact-sized accessory that plugs into your wall. Fits every iPhone and iPod (except shuffle), and comes with all the Apple cradles so you can customize it if you want, or just use the larger size for everything.

Easy to use and easy to love, this is a great little product." —Richard

The Reality-

The Dexim Dual Dock Charger for iPhone 3G + iPod is a light, simple piece of gear that serves its purpose well. Aestheticlly it is a mixed bag.

What’s In The Box-

The Dual charger base

Six Apple cradles— one each: iPhone 3G, iPhone 2G, iPod touch, iPod Classic, iPod nano, 5G/U2 iPod

Wall adapter/ Power Cord

The Dual Dock is a low profile, rather unobtrusive unit. It holds two iPods/iPhones securely and, thanks to the universal cradle and inserts, makes it easy to put in and remove the items.

The shiny black plastic is nice-looking enough but is, unsurprisingly, a fingerprint magnet. The base of the unit itself, as well as the ring around each of the cradle adapters, is a light blue plastic. Depending upon your aesthetic sensibilities it is either a nice feature or an unnecessary add-on.

The reason for the blue trim is that, with the flip of a switch, the blue plastic trim glows. This glow will only turn on if there is an iPod in one of the two cradles.  Moreover, regardless of whether there is one iPod or two cradled the intensity of the light remains the same.

While I didn’t find it unpleasant, I wasn’t overly impressed with the blue glow of the light. It wasn’t BAD but it just wasn’t something that would sway me one way or the other.

What I do like, though, is that I can stick any of my three Apple devices into the charger and they… get recharged! (Each dock gets a full 500mA charge.)

And that is the sole purpose of this unit. The dock isn’t for synching with iTunes. It isn’t for audio out. It is first and last, about safely and easily charging two dock-connector-sporting iPods at a time. And it does it just fine at a reasonable price.

What I Like-

Low profile unit
Simple and uncomplicated
Charges two iPods at a time

What I’m Neutral On-

The glowing blue trim that works only when an iPod is in a dock and the switch is turned on

What Needs Improvement-

Glossy black looks nice but is a fingerprint magnet
Blue trim may not be your aesthetic choice

The Dual Dock Charger is sold through RichardSolo.com for $45.