Home > Consumer Reviews > Essential Kit for the Amazon Kindle 2 / DX - includes Car and Wall Charger with Rapid Charge Technology

I purchased the Kindle 2 within a week of its release. I carry it everywhere. The first thing I am concerned with when purchasing any portable electronic tool is having a back up charger - preferably for both home and vehicle. Initially, I went for the iGo Everywhere PS00252-0003 Universal Wall (AC) and Auto (DC) Charger with Retractable Cable (Charger Only, Tips Not Included) which was recommended when I purchased my Kindle 2. However, when it arrived, I tried to purchase a tip for the Kindle 2 and there was none to be found (Kindle 1 yes!) - even the vendor didn't have one available. One of the things that drew me to it was the shared cable. I would only have to carry one tip (wall or car) and share a cable. I returned the iGo - didn't satisfy my needs. Then I purchased the Gomadic Corp. Essential Kit.

When it arrived, I was PLEASANTLY surprised to see that it used detachable USB cables for each charger - vehicle and wall. WOW! I can carry either tip (vehicle/wall) and one detachable USB cable to plug into each. These detachable cables also let me connect my Kindle 2 to my PC for file transfers (like the original USB cable/charger that came with my Kindle 2).

I now have two extra USB cables, so I can keep one at home as a back-up. I am already using the plugs (vehicle/wall) and USB cable (separately) instead of the cable that came with my Kindle 2. Talk about multi-use ... this product is great. Best of all, I do a lot of traveling overseas and this lets me use one product for all my traveling.

The fact that it auto-switches for foreign voltage (240) and the built in circuitry for surge protection and over charging ... makes this product a must have for anyone who does a lot of travel.

One final point - since I needed both a wall and vehicle charger, this product offers both for twice the price of the Amazon Kindle 2 Replacement Power Adapter. But it gives me - TWO detachable USB cables and a way to charge my Kindle 2 in the car.

Comes with two black USB to mini USB cables, a USB to 12vDC (cigarette lighter) adapter, and a USB to 120vAC (US house) adapter. Works as advertised, with one big and important exception. If you're tempted to buy this because it advertises that it has "Rapid Charge Technology," skip it. How fast the Kindle charges is limited by the power control chip inside, not by what comes through the cable. Having tried it on two consecutive days, this charger takes the same amount of time to charge my Kindle DX from empty that Amazon's included charger does. Buy this if you want both a spare charger and a car charger at a discount price. Buy the stand-alone car charger without this if you just need the car charger. Don't buy this if what you wanted was a faster way to recharge your Kindle.

I bought this for the car charger. Nice that there is also a wall charger. Somewhat redundant that there are 2 cords since they are detachable from the charger itself. One cord would suffice since it could easily be plugged into either. The wall charger does the job but it is considerably more bulky than the Amazon charger.

Very useful to have these rapid and car charger. My kindle seems to drain battery very quickly even when not in use. I am glad to have these chargers that I could take with me.

Bought as a gift. Works great for the quick charge you would want, especially when traveling. My son says they work great.