Comments on: Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone [Review]

By: John

John — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:20:39 +0000

I got my replacement cable yesterday from Mophie and everything works now.

By: C bastien

C bastien — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:16:23 +0000

Having the same syncing charging problem, Mophie wanted me to send pak back to them so they could replace. I just exchanged at best buy, and have same problem with new one out of box today. suggested to mophie they send me an updated cable. standing by…….

By: John

John — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:37:44 +0000

C.K. – I just realized that the LG Eve loaner phone I have right now also uses a microUSB cable and like your Kindle cable, allows the Mophie to work as intended – charging/syncing while in the case! Time to find out if Mophie is replacing these cables.

By: C.K. Sample III

C.K. Sample III — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:15:17 +0000

John, I discovered something interesting today… I just got a new retractable cable USB to USB mini for my Kindle 2, and on a whim I thought I would see if it fit in the Mophie juicepack. It does AND it enables simultaneous charging of the juicepack and the iPhone 3GS while the switch on the Mophie is set to the off position AND (ZOMG) I can actually sync my iPhone over the connection. ONE CABLE TO RULE THEM ALL!!!

So, in summary, I think the cables the Mophie shipped with were crap and a new cable makes things wonderful.

By: chris

chris — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:39:51 +0000

No, I don't have one. That's what the site says (the last paragraph under the Features tab here), so you may want to take yours back and swap it for another.

By: John

John — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:32:50 +0000

Chris: Do you have one? Mine definitely does not charge or allow me to sync via the micro USB cable regardless of the switch position. I’m wondering if it’s a 3GS issue or perhaps I have a faulty unit…although C.K. seems to have the same issue. I read a comment about possibly the GPS being on can cause too much drain to charge at the same time…but even in Airplane mode, I get nothing.

JP: I too am usually near a desk or car charger but not (usually) while on a plane or when I’m out and about (on foot)…just like the 6gb dataplan, this device means I don’t have to think about power anymore for 100% of my use cases for it. It’s really not that bulky…still easily fits in a jean pocket without looking like I’m happy to see you.

By: chris

chris — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:33:55 +0000

Regarding the lack of slip protection, that’s what the red one is for. ;)

Also, the site says that “You can use the included USB cable to charge the juice pack air™ and iPhone simultaneously or charge the juice pack air™ on its own.”

By: JP

JP — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:29:33 +0000

I find with the 3Gs there is no need for the battery pack. I am a chronic data hound on Twitter, Facebook, the web and email and take a ton of photos each day and have no probs with power. Now my 3G on the other hand sucked and made me think twice about actually using the iPhone. it looks to add a substantial amount of bulk to an already big phone as well.
I’ll admit I have a car and desk charger so it does get a fair bit of charging throughout the day.

Thanks for the review. Very detailed as always John!

By: C.K. Sample III

C.K. Sample III — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:47:06 +0000

Good review. I got the same thing for Christmas! You’re correct about the Mophie not charging when being charged / passing through a charge to the iPhone. That is the one disappointment of the device. That and not being able to use the little micro USB port to sync with iTunes. El Lame.

By: John

John — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:34:20 +0000

You could be right Kevin…I left both plugged in overnight. Once you plug into something, the charge function stops on the iPhone and only charges the Mophie…perhaps once it’s fully charged, it allows the iPhone to charge but when I got up the next morning, my iPhone was at 4%. I’ll try it again with the switch set different and see if it changes anything. The manual is pretty sparse in this area unfortunately.