Home > Consumer Reviews > Belkin Dock with USB Wall Charger for iPod

I have an excellent Sony component stereo system that's 15 years old, and a few months ago the 5 CD carousel player malfunctioned, so I had to look for an alternative to playing multiple albums, and debated whether to replace the multi-CD player with a new one.

With the advent of MP3 players I just did not see any reason to buy legacy technology that wasn't particularly cheaper, so I decided to purchase an Apple iPod Classic to act as the home jukebox, since I had already ripped all of my CD's to MP3 format.

I began researching iPod docks and a looked at a number of them, including the Apple OEM version. Of course the Apple product was way too expensive for what I was trying to do, so I decided to try the Belkin dock.

At first I was not clear whether or not this dock would work with the Classic, however, I am very happy to say that this dock works great! It is the best way to connect the iPod to my component stereo without resorting to an FM transmitter, as I had been doing before, and it charges the iPod at the same time! The sound is excellent without any distortion... it just works! The volume is controlled from the stereo receiver and not the iPod itself, it simply ignores the volume control on the iPod... a very nice feature.

Keep in mind that the video out does not work on this dock for the Classic (works with previous generations of iPods), as this new iPod requires a special video cable that only Apple sells, so if you are looking for video output from the latest iPod's this is not for you, but if audio is your main purpose, then I highly recommend the Belkin dock. It is easy to set up and use.

I was looking for a small, simple dock so that my wife would be able to keep her new iPod Touch charged at her bedside nightstand, but Apple's Universal Dock with USB charging block costs upwards of $80 together. What a ripoff. Get this one instead if all you want is a charging dock. (It has audio/video output features, but since it's at her bedside, we haven't tried those yet.) There's no remote, but from what I read about the Apple remote on the new Universal Dock, the Apple one doesn't work that great (which is why it gets one star). If you're shopping for this Belkin item, make sure you get the F8Z126 model which comes with the AC adapter, and not the F8Z122 model which *does not* come with the AC adapter. I mistakenly bought the F8Z122 and now have to go buy the AC adapter. Grrrr... Another good thing about this item is that it accepts the dock adapter that came with your iPod Touch (first take out the dock adapter from the dock. There's one that's preinstalled in it.) so her iPod Touch fits snugly in the dock. (The F8Z122 I bought comes with several dock adapters, but not one for the iPod Touch.)

Hope this helps!

The Belkin Dock with USB Wall Charger for the iPod is a great product with a realistic price. The dock makes connecting the iPod with your home entertainment system a breeze. The supplied RCA-type audio and video cables are generous in length and more than adequate in quality while the dock, itself, is quite sturdy and nicely weighted to prevent unwanted movement when attaching your iPod. Equally thoughtful, is the inclusion of various docking trays to allow the dock to accept several models of iPod without the need for further purchases. But perhaps the most useful feature of all is the USB-type AC wall adapter, which provides unlimited play-time power to your iPod, and guarantees no more dead batteries right in the middle of your favorite mix. Best of all, the AC adapter lets you charge your docked iPod when not is use, without involving a computer. As a bonus, the AC adapter can be used without the dock for charging your iPod while traveling, simply use the charging cable supplied with your iPod. Overall, the Belkin Dock with USB Wall Charger for the iPod is a great product and a great value, especially when you consider that it can be purchased for less than the cost of some AC adapters alone.

Works great with both my new iPod Touch 2g AND my old iPod Nano 2g. If you get the F8Z126 version it comes with the dock, a Mini-B to USB cable which works with the dock, several dock inserts (Nano 1g and 2g, iPod 5g (video)), the AC USB Power Adapter, and the 3.5mm to RCA video cable.

The dock insert that came with my iPod Touch 2g fit right in, and my iPod Touch slid right in and looked great. Charges through the AC adapter or by connecting the USB cable to a PC just fine. Just be warned, however, that the RCA cables WILL NOT WORK with any of the new iPod models. Otherwise, it is a great dock and well worth the money.

The Dock is a pretty good buy for the price, however, I bought this to use with a 4th Gen Ipod after the Amazon technical description specifically said, "Includes adapter inserts for iPod nano 1G, 2G; iPod 4G, 5G, 5.5G; iPod mini". Unfortunately once it arrived, I opened the box only to find a statement in the instruction manual that says ipod 4G adapter sold separately, available from [...].
Kind of disappointing that they couldn't have included one more piece that no doubt cost less than a penny to make.