Griffin Simplifi Dock for iPod and iPhone Media Card Reader and USB Hub in One Device Aluminum
Griffin Simplifi Dock for iPod and iPhone Media Card Reader and USB Hub in One Device Aluminum
Simplifi charges USB-rechargeable iPod models as they sync with your computer through the included USB mini cable. Use Simplifi’s USB ports to plug in keyboards, printers, cameras, flash drives, scanners, external hard drives, anything USB 2.0-compatible. Simplifi ships with an AC adapter for those USB devices that need a powered port.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Simplifies my desktop, no iPhone 3G/3GS dock adaptor, 30 pin connector is easy to break
My Griffin Simplifi Dock 30 pin connector breaks after 3 weeks of usage. Good that Griffin Technology is going to send me a new replacement without sending the defective back. Though, you need to destroy the dock to render it unusable and take digital photos as evidence for the warranty replacement. It recommends you to use hammer to destroy it. Let me warn you, this dock is made to sustain strong impact. Even you use the hammer and axe, the aluminium casing is well protecting the circuitry with minimal dent. I suggest simply pull off the memory card faceplate, slide the internal parts out to expose the circuitry and destroy the 30 pin connector for evidence.
This dock DOES NOT come with any iPhone 3G/3GS dock adapter even the website says it supports it in the later packages. Let me confirm you that there is NO iPhone 3G/3GS dock adapter.
Fortunately, a simple email complain to the customer service make them send me the iPhone 3G/3GS black dock adapter for FREE. So why after using the 3GS dock adapter, the 30 pin dock connector still breaks?
This is because I use a hydrocarbon jelly case on iPhone, there are no dock adapters that fit, so I just simply plug the phone without any dock adapter. Guess what, after 2 weeks of usage without dock adapter, the 30 pin connector finally breaks today!
After destroying the Simplifi, I’ve discovered that the 30 pin connector is only using 4 metal soldering joints and 30 thin metal connections to the circuit board to hold the device. What Griffin should design is make the 30 pin connector to connect to the circuit board with flat plastic ribbon cable and a piece of plastic to secure the 30-pin connector. This will be robust enough when the iPod/iPhone is wiggling to break the 4 soldering joints.
1 Star Minimal functionality
If you looking for a way to leave your laptop at home while on vacation with your DSLR, this is NOT it.
Incapable of functioning as card reader for iPhone. Memory cards’ files must go through computer first.
Incapable of charging docked iPhone without a powered USB connection to a powered on computer. Will not charge iPhone using supplied AC wall wart adapter. Will not charge with USB plugged into Apple AC to USB wall wart that comes as stock accessory with iPhone 3Gs.
Did manage to read a 266x Transcend CF card at 26 MB/sec into Macbook Pro laptop. But as a card reader this thing is large and heavy.
2 Stars Lights are on, but no iPhone recognized.
Not much to say. I used the enclosed cables and power supply. I plugged everything in and the light on the dock came on immediately. But when I put my iPhone in the dock, it did not charge or connect. I restarted my computer a few times trying to figure out why my iPhone was not charging. Then just before repacking the unit to return, the USB connection was recognized! (USB Voodoo?).
And remember, charging power comes from the USB cable, not the wall-plug-in power supply. The wall-plug power is used to support the other dock functions (2 back USB ports and card readers).
Other drawback…No inserts to accommodate Griffin slim iPhone case.
Good Luck!
1 Star junk
Have to unplug and replug in the usb cord in this thing to get my mac to recognize it. Scrambled contents of one of my iphones (good thing for itunes backups). Numerous write errors too. Not reliable. Charges iphone/ipods via usb.
5 Stars Does exactly what it should do, and looks great doing it!
This is the perfect companion to a computer (especially a Mac) that doesn’t have a built-in memory card reader. The reader functions beautifully, and the iPod dock works like a charm. I haven’t tried out the USB dock, so I don’t want to pass judgement on it. This is a great looking device that does its job perfectly, and was a great deal on top of it all ($43 vs. $69 at the Apple Store).
