Kensington Car Charger Deluxe for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Interesting that Kensington calls the "Deluxe." I don't think it deserves the name.
First, this is a mount and charger. No audio / speaker connections. You plug a separate wire directly into the iPod/iPhone. Not what I was hoping for in a Deluxe model - I want to plug in the iPhone and use the one plug for everything.
The mount: I tried it on a Toyota Highlander - it only works when the 12V connection is on the dash (it is for the Highlander). The arm is only a few inches long so will be limited on where it works. It wouldn't work when the 12V is somewhere below (like a Prius). It does hold the iPhone very well. EXCEPT that the mount rotates too easily on one of the axis. Press a button on the iPhone, rotate the iPhone. Not great for in the car. (I used a hose clamp to lock it down, then it worked OK.)
It does function with the iPhone 3G - meaning it does charge it.
BUT for my setup, it creates a audio feedback loop between the charger and the audio so a huge buzz when it is in the dock and charging. iPhone alone - no buzz, iPhone in dock - buzz. I'm returning this one - if it didn't have a buzz I would have kept it. It could just be the iPhone 3G and/or a weirdness with the Highlander.

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Keeping your iPhone or iPod within easy reach--and fully charged--is a breeze, thanks to this deluxe center-console mounted kit. The Kensington Car Charger Deluxe is designed primarily to dock and charge your iPhone or iPod, so you can easily view and access your device in your car while powering and charging it. As a supplemental value, Kensington includes a separate auxiliary cable in the box so you can play music through your car's Auxiliary port. If you're looking specifically for a car audio solution, Kensington offers several products with an integrated auxiliary cable, such as the LiquidAUX Auxiliary Car Kit or the LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit. Each provides a streamlined audio solution, charging capabilities, and a remote (as well as a dock, in the case of LiquidAUX Deluxe).

Portable Power Whether playing your favorite music or chatting with a friend, the Car Charger Deluxe keeps your iPhone or iPod charged, usually without having to remove the case.

Hands-Free Conversations With the speakerphone feature, you can have conversations on your iPhone without taking your hands from the wheel.

Flexibility The cradle of the Car Charger Deluxe rotates, enabling you to position the device for either vertical or horizontal viewing, while its adjustable arms wrap around your iPhone or iPod for secure fit.

Compatiblity Kensington's Car Charger Deluxe is compatible with the iPhone; iPod nano (1st and 2nd generation); all iPod generations (1st through 6th); and iPod touch.

Important Note: Sound Effects When using an auxiliary device in the car, you might hear a slight buzzing sound, engine noise, or high-pitched whine. That is because your car model has a grounding issue between the audio system and the power socket, which causes a whining or buzzing sound when you drive. This sound is not caused by your Kensington product; however, Kensington has an easy solution. Simply purchase an automotive ground loop isolator for your car that is compatible with a 3.5-mm jack. This simple tool will enable you to use your music in a safe, hands-free environment.

What's in the BoxKensington's Car Charger Deluxe

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Brand NEW Sony Xplod Cdx-gt630ui Amazing Car Audio Cd/mp3 Receiver with 52x4 Watt Amp and Usb Input and Detachable Face + Ipod Interface Built in + 3 Sets of Pre-amp Outputs *Free $20.00 Mp3/ipod Cable* Review

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(More customer reviews)This increaesd my audio quality superbly. Everyone who comes into my car like the product. what i realy love about it is that i dont have to wory about sratched CD or music skipping when i turn up the base on my epicenter, thanks to the usb imput.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brand NEW Sony Xplod Cdx-gt630ui Amazing Car Audio Cd/mp3 Receiver with 52x4 Watt Amp and Usb Input and Detachable Face + Ipod Interface Built in + 3 Sets of Pre-amp Outputs *Free $20.00 Mp3/ipod Cable*

BRAND NEW SONY XPLOD CDX-GT630UI AMAZING CAR AUDIO CD/MP3 RECEIVER WITH 52x4 WATT AMP AND USB INPUT AND DETACHABLE FACE + IPOD INTERFACE BUILT IN + 3 SETS OF PRE-AMP OUTPUTS*FREE $20.00 MP3/IPOD CABLE*Features: * CD player with built-in amplifier * 17 watts RMS x 4 ch * 52 watts peak x 4 ch * plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs, including discs loaded with MP3 and WMA music files * detachable fold-down face with LCD display * ID3 tag display * Displays artist, song, title names on display * switchable red/blue illumination * remote control * EQ3 (seven preset tone curves and a 3-band parametric equalizer) * DSO2 soundstage organizer * 24-bit digital-to-analog converter * high- and low-pass filters * built-in iPod controls and connection cable - no other equipment needed * front-panel USB input * front-panel auxiliary input * 6-channel preamp outputs (front, rear, subwoofer) * compatible with most factory steering wheel audio controls (adapter required) * CEA-2006 compliant amplifier * Display color: black/white * Key button color: blue/green * 2 volt pre-amps * HD Radio Ready * Free Aux cable included only when purchasing from us!

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Satechi BW-2052 Built-In Bluetooth Car Stereo with Music Streaming, CD Receiver with Front AUX / USB / SD/MMC card CD / MP3 / WMA player with Remote Control Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had an Alpine stereo with the original BT-100 bluetooth module for years. It just has not worked well with my Android phone, and the bluetooth protocols, so I set out to find a new stereo with bluetooth and an Aux input, so that my wife could plug her phone in when she's in the car with me. I scoured models up to $600, and only the top-of-the-line Parrot Car Stereo offered Aux input together with full Bluetooth support. The Panasonics didn't have Bluetooth A2DP streaming, only the headset protocol. The Alpines would only offer iPhone plus bluetooth OR Aux input, but not both. I don't have an iPhone anymore, nor do I plan to go back. As I kept looking, more and more products had Bluetooth headset, but not stereo streaming (A2DP) or no remote control (RCP), or you had to choose between bluetooth, Aux input, or a microphone, because they all used the same jack to make room for a dedicated iPhone cable that can't be used with anything else but an iPhone. The industry is way too iPhone centric right now. (If you have an Android phone, get this stereo and a eye-level phone cradle, and use your phone as the controller.)
Then along comes this little stereo, that seemed to good to be true, but at $100, I took the chance. I have to say that it is worth every penny, and works better than ones selling for $200 and $300. It paired easily with my Evo 4G, and handles everything by auto-switching. I don't have change to bluetooth. If I play something on my phone, it auto-switches over and pumps it through my stereo. When it's done, it switches back to the radio. If I put in a CD, it automatically switches to the CD player, then to my phone when I get a call, then back to the CD player when I hang up. I don't have to even think about it. Good work Satechi. You can switch manually if you want to, but the auto-switching will generally anticipate your needs.
If you haven't noticed already, it also has an internal microphone built right into the unit. Even the Parrot Car Stereo doesn't have that. With this stereo, there's no microphone to run through the dash or install on your visor, and the sound quality for me has been even better than the wired mic I had on my Alpine. On other mics my wife had to keep asking me to repeat what I said. With the Satechi, we've had normal conversations so far, without any repeats! I'm impressed.
Another person who reviewed this said that his wouldn't play the CD, but I am not having that problem. Everything on the radio is working fantastically.

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Satechi BW-2052 contains a high-end Bluetooth hands-free module. For the first time direct start and stop call buttons feature on the front panel for simple operation. The Bluetooth feature not only allows you to hook it up to your mobile phone, make and receive calls and chat to your mates safely and legally while you are at the wheel......it also gives you music streaming ability when paired to any A2DP equipped device. The stereo comes with an internal hands free microphone, 30 RDS radio presets and a remote control. It is MP3, WMA, CD, CD-R, and CD-RW compatible and has a USB, AUX IN port and an MMC/SD card slot, allowing you to play your music from a variety of external sources and devices such as digital MP3 players and memory sticks. A high power 4x 75 watt built-in power amplifier will fill your car with high quality sound from any source. Settle into your seat, twist the volume knob, and enjoy the clean, powerful sound of Satechi BW-2052.

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Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit with Remote for iPod; iPhone 1G, 3G Review

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(More customer reviews)I really wanted to like this product. I actually bought both the LiquidAUX kit and the Deluxe kit. One to use in my car and one on my motorcycle with my iPhone.
I think they worked once or twice with some adjustments. I know people don't like one star reviews and usually mark them as 'not helpful'. Often times they are right because people rate them with one star because the weren't shipped fast enough or some complaint not related to the product. Or they got the one unit that happened to be DOA.
Not the case here. Here's the problems:
When the iPhone firmware was updated recently, it caused problems with the remote operating and the message that the product was not iPhone compatible. Okay, I checked the manufacturer's website and found their workaround. The message did indeed go away, but the remotes still didn't work.
I decided to try my iPod to see if the problem could be caused by the iPhone, but the remotes didn't work with it either. Called Kensington tech support and they told me (in IndiaEnglish) to try replacing the batteries in remote. This after providing them with the serial number (written in illegible microscopic print inside the remote).
To their credit, they told me they would send me two new remotes (or complete units. I really don't understand IndiaEnglish very well). I should have them in 10 to 12 business days. I didn't have to return the old ones, just trash them. This makes me think they probably have had a lot of problems with these products.
My next gripes have to do with the different models:
The standard LiquidAUX kit:
They must be poorly assembled since the first time I used it it would cut out intermittently. If I just touched the wires going into the power plug they would crackle and pop and had to be delicately positioned to work. The extension cable (which you need unless your cigarette lighter is right next to your mini plug socket) has the same problem, but not as bad.
The Deluxe LiquidAUX kit:
This unit relies on a tight fit in your lighter socket, or you won't be able to keep the thing upright. The clamps holding your phone are not very sturdy and difficult to unlatch to get your iPxxxx out. After a short time most of the physical connections loosen up and you need to prop the business end of the adapter against something to keep it from falling.
I bought both units in Lightning Deals so the price wasn't as bad as it could be. But I'd rather pay more and have something that actually works properly. If I was within the 30 day window, I would have returned them buth.
I am not happy with this purchase.

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The Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe delivers pure sound through your vehicle's stereo system while your iPhone and iPod charges. Simply plug your iPhone or iPod into the car kit using a 3.5-mm audio cable, and then insert the kit into your in-dash auxiliary port. Within seconds, digital-quality sound will be pumping through your car's audio system.


Fingertip Control The steering wheel-mounted remote control is designed to be mounted with the controls on the interior of your steering wheel. The remote conveniently lets you play, pause, and skip music files with just your thumb, allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel.

Convenience The dock adjusts to fit the iPhone and most iPod models without removing them from the case, and a smart audio sensor controls the kit's power automatically. Kensington's LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit is compatible with the iPhone (1G and 3G); iPod nano (1G, 2G, and 3G); all iPods (1G through 6G); and iPod touch. Note: An auxiliary port in your car is required for the LiquidAUX Deluxe.

Support Backed by Kensington's two-year warranty, the LiquidAUX also comes with free technical support.

Important Note: Sound Effects When using an auxiliary device in the car, you might hear a slight buzzing sound, engine noise, or high-pitched whine. That is because your car model has a grounding issue between the audio system and the power socket, which causes a whining or buzzing sound when you drive. This sound is not caused by your Kensington product; however, Kensington has an easy solution. Simply purchase an automotive ground loop isolator for your car that is compatible with a 3.5-mm jack. This simple tool will enable you to use your music in a safe, hands-free environment.

Kensington can provide you with a ground loop isolator free of charge by calling Kensington's Technical Support team at 1-800-535-4242. Please provide the serial number of your LiquidAUX product when you call Technical Support, and the company will arrange to ship you the ground loop isolator.What's in the Box Kensington LiquidAUX Deluxe Auxiliary Car Kit, remote control, and 4-foot audio extension cable.

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