Frequent readers of my reviews know that one of my big pet peeves with mobile devices is the illusion of mobility.  Oh sure, this device is small and skinny and fits right into your pocket.  Nice, right?  Then again, you will also need this USB charger.  Which means you also need a laptop or an AC adaptor.  And your are going on a car trip, which means you will also need a car charging adaptor.  That is three peripherals (AC adaptor, cable, and car adaptor) every time you leave the house with your device, and we have barely gotten started.  That’s portability for you.  But does it have to be?  BoxWave doesn’t think so.  Their MiniSync-VersaCharger Pro Bundle is designed to ensure that your portable device stays…portable.

The BoxWave bundle contains everything you will need to ensure that your device remains fully charged from just about anywhere.  Included in the box are:

• the minisync retractable cable
• the VersaCharger Pro charging adaptor

Let’s start with how to connect your device, which means the minisync retractable cable.  This is a flat cable on a spindle, which allows it to retract completely to slip easily into your gear bag.  No more sorting through a mess of cables in your bag to find the correct one. When retracted, this cable is only a few inches, ready for easy transport. 

One end of the cable ends in a standard USB plug, allowing it to plug directly into your computer’s USB port, or the VersaCharger Pro.  The other end is a proprietary plug designed specifically for your chosen device.  Different versions exist for hundreds of devices.  I was a little disappointed to find that I would still need a separate cable for each device.  Many companies are starting to move toward a more universal approach to the cables, with interchangeable tips.  This allows a single cable to find a myriad of devices.  Nonetheless, since I have plenty of cables for my Sprint Mogul, I opted for the Sandisk Sansa minisync cable in order to use with my Sansa e280R and Sansa View.

Finally, since the cable can connect your device directly to your computer, you can use it to both sync and charge simultaneously.  Of course, this all means that you would have to lug around your laptop with you in order to charge your device.  Which seems pretty ludicrous if the idea is to improve mobility.  To get past this point, we turn to the second half of the BoxWave bundle, the VersaCharger Pro.

The VersaCharger Pro sports a very unique design with a translucent blue case, allowing you to see the innards at work.  The circuits you see are unique in that they can adapt to any power source between 100 and 240 volts, meaning the same unit can be plugged into any AC adaptor throughout North America or Europe.  This means you will never need another adaptor again, even if you travel overseas (optional adaptors will convert the VersaCharger Pro from American outlets to European, Australian, or even airplane adaptors).  A green light on the front will illuminate when the VersaCharger Pro is powering a device. 

There are three important connections on this device: the USB port, AC adaptor, and Car Charger.  The AC adaptor conveniently folds into the back of the charger, meaning the AC prongs will not be in the way or getting damaged when the charger is in your bag. 

Unfolded, the AC adaptor plugs into the wall with the main body of the charger hanging down from the outlet.  This is absolutely perfect, because it means the adaptor can be plugged into the wall without blocking another outlet.  This is a detail which many similar universal adaptors do not seem to consider.  Additionally, I have found that many similar charges which do not secure the AC adaptor pins when they are unfolded.   This can lead to them slipping out of place when charging, causing damage to your battery or your device.  The AC pins on the VersaCharger Pro, on the other hand, snap into place, meaning that they will not slip while charging.The USB plug is located on the front of the adaptor, immediately across from the AC plug.  This ensures that the adaptor is able to charge your device with maximum efficiency and utilizing minimal space. 

The other end of the adaptor tapers into a car charging plug.  A plastic cap protects snaps snugly over this end, protecting it from damage.

I used this adaptor for several months.  Not only did I charge two different Sansa media players with the minisync cable, but I also used a standard miniUSB cable to charge my Sprint Mogul.  I was extremely impressed by how well this charger worked.    Not only was I able to charge all of my devices faster than with other chargers I have used, the VersaCharger Pro’s space efficient design ensured that it would slip easily into my gear bag.  In short, it allowed me to turn this:

into this:

And that has earned it a permanent place in my gear bag.

Vital Stats:

Name: BoxWave minisync-VersaCharger Pro Bundle

Manufacturer: BoxWave

Available From: BoxWave

Price: $35.99 (bundle)

          $25.95 (VersaCharger Pro)

          $24.95 (minisync cable)

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