Comments on: Miccus CMC608 ChargeBlock for iPod/iPhone

By: C. Hannan

C. Hannan — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:01:52 +0000

Jailbroken with multitasking and wifi tethering (both serious power drainers) and this is extremely convenient! Nice size, too.

EDIT: WOW! This is one amazingly durable little battery. I just got it a few weeks ago and already accidentally washed and dried it this morning. Pulled it out with the chrome piece on the top starting to come off, exposing the insides of it, not expecting it to actually still work, and it does! My phone is almost fully charged now, so I can’t see at the moment if it still holds the same charge, but both indicator lights are on at the bottom (meaning there’s still more than 50% power on the ChargeBlock and my phone is charging. I’m shocked it still actually works.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: A. Orellana

A. Orellana — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:20:18 +0000

This product is great for people who live a mobile life. It is especially useful for those days when you forget to charge your iphone the night before. If that happens to me all I do is grab my ChargeBlock and no worries. The ChargeBlock charges really well too. Charged my Iphone from 1/4 battery to full power in about an 2 hours and thats while I was using it listening to music. I am glad I bought it because I live through my iPhone and if I dont have it then im screwed. The ChargeBlock acts as a safety net for me. Also, the chargeblock fits perfectly on my iPhone and is also small enoguh to fit in my pocket or backpack.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Joseph Lo

Joseph Lo — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:35:56 +0000

Had high hopes for this external battery. Some salient points:
- One of the cheapest external iPhone batteries. There seem to be better ones out there, but at $100 or more. I know the phone is actually worth a lot more than the $199/299 we pay up front, but psychologically it just seems odd to pay
half as much again on an external battery, esp. for something that is more likely to be lost.
- Fits the iPhone pretty well, same width but about 50% thicker so it's not flush. Connection feels solid but you will probably want to be careful that it doesn't get bent and damage the iPhone's connector.
- Charge is fair, enough to go from <10% (red) up to ~60% charged. For me, that's enough to get me out of a jam when I'm on the go and need to extend the life of the battery a few hours. Definitely doesn't charge the phone to 100% as some others have reviewed, maybe it's my 1.5 yr old iPhone battery that is the limiting factor, but then again, I imagine many people looking at this product are in my shoes as well.
- Doesn't hold a charge more than a few days, so you can't charge it and just leave it lying around ready for emergency use. But then again, haven't met a rechargeable battery where you could do that anyway, but still you can't help but want that.
- Nice connect-through USB feature so you can leave the battery on the phone and charge it and your phone at the same time. However, the USB port is on the back of the battery, so you would have to lay your phone face down, and turn it over and hold it in your hands every time you want to use it.

So I think you get the point. It's not bad for the price and I feel like it does the job, but it's not exactly a 4 or 5 star item either IMHO. I'm a little surprised at the nearly unanimous high ratings from others, so I guess YMMV. Rating: 3 / 5

By: Marie

Marie — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:43:29 +0000

I purchased this as a spare charger for my 1st generation ipod touch when I am on the go. It packs a lot of charge in it. However, I was surprised to discover that I can’t use headphones while it is charging my ipod. The other features (i.e., surfing the internet, etc.) work, but I think this is better for iphone users.
Rating: 4 / 5

By: rock hopper

rock hopper — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:49:02 +0000

I work, volunteer, and am raising two children; needless to say, my phone is my lifeline. The miccus chargeblock has saved me many times when I have been out and about and my battery was running low. In the middle of the grocery store, at the soccer field, my meeting at the coffee shop, etc.,my life does not grind to a halt now when my battery runs out. I can stay connected.

I researched numerous options and selected the chargeblock due to its small size, seemingly good fit to the iPhone, and lack of cords. A picture is worth a thousand words: Other battery chargers appeared to "stick out" from the phone while the Chargeblock seemed like just an extension from the iPhone. After using it now for a few months, I can verify that the fit is great; I can use my iPhone no problem while it is charging without worrying that the Chargeblock will fall off or get jarred--even when my preschool-age daughter uses it and even with my hard case on my phone.

And I must add that it is nice to know how much "charge" is left by looking at the LED lights on the unit. Rating: 5 / 5