Apparently in Japan and some other countries it is very popular to wear your cell phone on a neck strap – especially when using it as a media player. That trend has not hit North America. Now Collins America hopes to make it more popular through the introduction of the Danglet, an accessory that clips into the docking connector of any modern iPod or iPhone device and allows you to keep it readily available around your wrist or neck. So how does it all work?
The Hype:
Welcome to the first and only wrist and neck strap adapter for Apple’s iPod and iPhone. Danglet simply plugs into the dock connector port on the bottom of your iPod or iPhone, securely snapping into place, and provides a sturdy stainless steel loop through which any string or hook mounted wrist or neck strap can be attached. We provide basic wrist and neck straps with your Danglet. But, you can go ahead and use any strap you may already own or choose to buy. Danglet fits them all.
Danglet clips into the iPod or iPhone dock connector with two sturdy stainless steel hooking clips, one on each side. The internal stainless steel frame of the Danglet extends upward to provide an all-metal mounting hole for a clip, hook, or string mount strap. To mount a strap, just clip the Danglet into the bottom of the iPhone or iPod, then clip the strap of your choice into the Danglet’s mounting hole. To remove the Danglet, just firmly squeeze the side buttons to release the steel clips, then pull the Danglet from the dock connector port. Simple and easy.
What Is Included
Your order will include your Danglet strap adapter, one black braided Nylon 7-inch wrist strap, one black braided Nylon 17-inch neck strap, and usage instructions.
The Reality:
When I opened the Danglet package and found two straps enclosed – one for the neck and one for the wrist – along with a single Danglet, I had a bunch of mixed feelings. It is clear that the Danglet itself is the focus of the product, and as such it really looks like the star of the show. My concern comes with everything ELSE in the package.
To use the Danglet, you clip the strap to the danglet using the lobster claw clasp and simply push the Danglet into your iPod without pushing in the release buttons – apparently not following this particular instruction can lead to an inadequate mating and potential hazards to your iPod.
The first thing I looked at was the wrist strap. I took out my 2nd gen iPod Nano and clipped it on and put the strap around my wrist – and immediately found a problem. The Danglet was certainly secure, but unlike a WiiMote strap that secures around your wrist, this strap is loose enough that I could simply turn my wrist and have my iPod fall right off. And so it did – and I was glad I was holding it over carpet. So aside from this picture I will never use the wrist strap again.
The neck strap is another story entirely. It is long enough to comfortably slide over my head but not so long that your iPod dangles freely. This time I had no issue trying it out with my iPod Touch, and found that it was very comfortable and worked great for listening to music while performing other tasks or wearing clothes that lack pockets or other means of holding an iPod.
Over the last week I have tried out the Danglet using the neck strap while going for my morning run. While I listen to music when I go to the gym, when I go running it is very early and I appreciate the silence and darkness. So I clipped it on but left the iPod not playing after I found the noise distracting. I used my trusty iPod Nano again, not wanting to risk my iPod Touch in such a potentially harmful test. There was never an issue – the strap was comfortable and secure, and the Danglet held perfectly without a sign of slippage.
I have linked to the Danglet Safety video below, which is pretty cool. But that video focuses on the Danglet alone – will the strap hold 40lbs? What about the clasp? What about all of the interconnects between elements? Those items are of real concern when dealing with a piece of electronics that costs hundreds of dollars.
So what are my final thoughts? Well, I think the wrist strap is not terribly useful without some method of tightening it to your wrist. The neck strap works perfectly and is large enough to fit around my over-sized melon, and supports the iPod without concern for slippage. So for someoen who just wants a nice neck-strap to have your iPod handy without needing a pocket or armband, I think the Danglet is a great product. The question is – do you feel comfortable having your valuable iPod bounce around unsecured?
Danglet Safety Video
Where to Buy:Collins America
Price: $14.99
What I Like:
– Super-strong connection
– Large enough neck strap
What Needs Improvement:
– Wrist strap has nothing to tighten around your wrist.
– We know the Danglet will hold … but what about the straps?
And finally, here I am with a Danglet holding my iPod Touch around my neck and wearing my wonderful Gear Diary Scott-E-Vest!
