Review: Duracell myGrid
Rating: 
Cost: $69.99 (+$32.19 for Power Sleeve)
Where to buy: www.amazon.com (and various other retailers)
Manufacturer’s Link: www.duracell.com
Duracell expanded their SmartPower line and I’m excited about the new myGrid wireless charging system. Duracell’s new myGrid is a wire-free charging station that lets you simply place down and charge up to 4 mobile devices. myGrid works with most popular cell phones and many portable MP3 players though it seems to be particularly well designed to work with BlackBerry (and iPhone). It took me seconds to unpack and plug in, so no geekological PhD degree is required. Just slap one of the included sleeves or power clips on your phone (or device) and you are ready drop-and-charge.
The starter kit that I received came with 1 Duracell myGrid charge pad and 1 Duracell Power Clip with compatible tips for mini-USB powered devices and Nokia phones. Additional sleeves and connectors are available for purchase for around $30. For the purpose of this review Duracell also provided a Duracell Power Sleeve for BlackBerry Curve and for the Pearl. The power sleeve is very well made. It hugs and protects my Berry nicely just like a gel case should. This power sleeve is better than most other cases out there, one less thing to buy (extra points for value there).
What I love about this is that I immediately replaced the spaghetti of wires on my desk with this futuristic, sleek-looking mat and now I can just drop my phones and iPod down on it when I’m not using them. It even charges my WiFi Skype phone. It would be great if they also made a smaller version (2 devices) that I can put by my bed and maybe even one for the car. I’d buy several extra grids in a heartbeat, but not at around $70 a pop.
The grid is magnetic so you can basically drop your device on in any orientation and it will stay put and charge. No need to worry about aligning it, there really is no thinking involved.
The myGrid power supply draws 100-240V AC at just 0.4 Amps which is about as much draw as two standard BlackBerry chargers but this will charge up to 4 iBerryPhoneP3players.
My opinion: DuraSWELL!!!
PROS:
- Low power draw to charge several devices
- Adaptable to a number of devices including MP3 players and other phones
- Looks cool, made well
CONS:
- Power Sleeve not included in starter kit ($30 extra)
- A bit pricey (because I’d want more than one)
Note: We received a demo unit from the company in order to write this review.
c0rinne ( View Profile) - Posts: 385
Posted: December 21, 2009 at 11:09 AM EST
Looks like the grid is cheaper than the Powermat though.
If the Powermat wasn’t so expensive, I’d buy it. (Technically I could afford it, but I promised myself that I’d put a financial cap on my obsession, otherwise I’d keep buying whatever I saw that was cool.)
andrew Not Registered
Posted: December 21, 2009 at 12:39 PM EST
but not as expensive as the power mat thats for sure, up here the power matt will run you 99 for the matt and 50.00 for each device..OUCH
http://unlockithere.com
Discount unlocking !
DavidB ( View Profile) - Posts: 1791
Posted: December 21, 2009 at 1:55 PM EST
Not very useful (yet) for anyone with a BlackBerry newer than the Bold 9000 since they don’t offer micro-USB such as is used on 85xx/89xx/95xx/96xx/97xx. With micro-USB supposedly the “international standard” for connecting a phone, that’s kinda short-sighted of them. They should have had micro-USB available at launch.
Evan Blachman ( View Profile) - Posts: 6
Posted: December 22, 2009 at 8:29 AM EST
Agree 100%. Q1 of 2010 micro-usb will be out
Mike Not Registered
Posted: December 21, 2009 at 3:59 PM EST
Whats the point with a Blackberry? My Curve has a charging station available for like $12. You don’t have to do anything to the BB – just connect the charger you already have to the cradle and drop the phone in.
Loks a like a solution in search of a problem. Just like the mat.