Appletell reviews the reviveLITE II Docking Charger for iPhone/iPod

Provides: iPod/iPhone charging and nightlight
Developer: Scosche Industries
Minimum Requirements: iPhone or iPod with docking port
Price: $24.99
Availability: Now

The main feature I look for in an iPhone dock is just how far out of the way it can get. Unlike, say, USB hubs, which I bfoiously like to keep in reach, I want to keep my iPhone docks and their associated wires off the desk. Too much going on there already.

Of course, I’m speaking mainly of charging when I say this. I don’t connect my iPhone to my MacBook by habit, but rather just when I’m syncing. The charge can happen overnight, and that’s what makes Scosche’s reviveLITE II – Docking Travel Charger for iPod & iPhone such a great solution. You plug it into a wall outlet, flip open the front, dock your iPhone or iPod, and head off to bed. Good night.

The reviveLITE II is 2-1/2″ tall and a little over 1-3/4″ wide. When it’s plugged into the wall, it’s 1-1/4″ deep, more when it’s open with an iPhone resting on it. When not in use, the plugs can flip down into the back of the device, making it an excellent option for travel…provided you can find an outlet high enough for it to be useful.

That’s actually something to consider for home use. Unless you want to keep bending down towards the floor, you’ll need to have an outlet fairly high up the wall. These are plentiful in my kitchen, which is where I used it during testing. There’s an outlet close by the door leading to the garage, so the iPhone’s charged and impossible to miss when I head out the door in the morning.

The spring loaded door on which your iPhone rests while charging seems sturdy, but I didn’t test it too rigorously. There’s ample room against the front of the reviveLITE II when your iPhone’s place, but because the dock rests right against the base door, you won’t be be able to use the device with some cases. Scosche should have lifted the dock up a bit to accommodate case padding.

If that were it, the reviveLITE II would be a good choice for convenient charging, but Scosche threw in a couple extra features. First, it contains a white frosted LED nightlight. This is actually brighter than you’d think, but perhaps welcome when travelling. You turn the light on and off with a switch on the side, and it works regardless of whether you’re currently docking your iPhone.

The second feature is a USB port on the side. If you’ve got a second iPhone, an iPod, etc., you can charge the two devices simultaneously…provided you’ve got your own USB docking cable.

So, if you don’t have a bulky case—or don’t mind removing your iPhone or iPod each time you want a charge—the reviveLITE II is a compact, handy charging solution. This isn’t designed for the office or likely even the bedroom (depending upon where your outlets are), but for travel purposes or kitchen placement, it’s about as handy and out of the way as a charger can be.

Appletell Rating:

Buy Scosche reviveLITE II Docking Home Charger for iPod and iPhone