The iPod is without a doubt one of the most successful audio players in electronics history. So much, in fact, that there are a ton of third-party peripherals to add extra functionality to these musical wonders. One complaint that iPod users have is the length of the battery life, so several manufacturers have developed external battery packs. Other users want an external dock with two headphone jacks to share their music with a friend. What is there was a device that did both?
Xtreme Mac throws their MicroPack iPod dock and battery charger into the fray. Another day, another iPod dock/battery combo. So, why should you fork over your hard-earned sweaty dollars for the Micropack? Read on…
Introducing the superdock for the truly power-hungry iPod user. In addition to providing up to 80 hours of iPod audio playback, MicroPack™ acts as a dock for iPod power charging and synching, as well as a stand for watching video, hands-free.
Alot of functionality is packed into this design: backup power, syncing, charging and much more. MicroPack’s lithium battery offers up to 80 hours* of audio playback or up to 8 hours* of video playback. Plus, it’s lighter, smaller and more rechargeable than older Lithium-Ion batteries.
MicroPack is perfect for enjoying music or video on the road. It conveniently positions your iPod at an optimal viewing angle so you can watch videos hands-free. Plus, it features two independent headphone jacks—each with its own volume control—so you can share your music or videos with a friend.
- Up to 80 hrs audio/8 hrs video play time *
- Compatible with iPod touch, iPod Classic, iPod nano, iPod with video, iPod (4G), iPod mini
- 2 headphone jacks with separate volume controls and amplifiers
- Syncs and charges iPod with Apple USB or FireWire cable
- Rechargeable using any iPod charging source
- Compatible with all iPod models with dock connector
* Varies by iPod model and settings. Cables and wall adaptors not included
The Xtreme Mac MicroPack charger dock looks very simple, but actually has quite a few connectors and buttons. On the rear of the unit is an on/off switch, a standard iPod connector cable, an 1/8″ A/V out audio jack and two 1/8″ headphone jacks. The top of the unit has a recessed area meant to cradle your iPod, which has a standard iPod connector. Near the top front are two sets of “up and down” buttons, which independantly controls the voume of each headphone jack.
Now then, what is the frickin’ point? What can you do with this dock and charger that simply cannot be done by other, less-expensive models?
For one, you can use it’s gigantor base to rest stuff on, like a cookie, or maybe your forearm. Since the point of this base is to take it traveling, it is a wonder to me why the thing is so dang big. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t weigh much. But it does take up a bit of space. Here’s a scenario:
You go on a trip with a friend via airplane. You take out your micropack so that you and a friend can share music, using your own individual headphone jacks. Now that is assuming you AND your friend enjoy the same music or have the same taste in videos or podcasts. So you whip out your huge…ahem…micropack, and try to set it on one of those skinny airplane armrests, which it promptly falls off of. So, you resort to pulling your collapsible dinner tray into your gut so you can set your dock on it. Now that the dock is on your dinner tray, you have the perfect excuse to put a nice, airplane cookie on the micropack.
Functional for travel? I don’t think so. It’s light enough, skinny enough, but it is too damn big to sit anywhere that visibility wouldn’t be an issue. You’re trying to watch a movie with your friend, but you have to rest the micropack on your leg. How awkward is that?
So if you can’t easily take it traveling, then what do you do with it? Ah…paperweight.
The micropack is easy to use (just plug it in) and provides loads of battery life for your iPod. It also makes music sharing easy because you can share with a friend without having to fight over who gets what earbud or what volume to turn it to so your deaf dad can hear.
It sure looks sleek as well. The white top and buttons look great, and the black base is nice. However, I do think the on/off switch feels a little cheap, like if you ram it… it could break.
The sound quality is just as good as on your iPod, so no hindrances as the sound travels through the micropack’s big, thick body.
Overall, I think the micropack is a good investment if you can find somewhere to put it. If you’ll be watching many movies while on your eight hour flight, it may be worth toting the micropack around so you can have the extended battery life. Also, if you want to share music with a friend, it is a great tool, if you two won’t fight over the track or album that you will be listening to. In the end, I can think of a many other travel companions that are more bang for your buck.
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