Every now and then a product comes along that screams out, “I deserve in a permanent place in your gear bag!” Scosche’s boltBOX is one of them. The small plastic box has a USB connector on one side, a Lightning connector on the other, and a 3′ cable that sits inside the box waiting to be needed. Get one.
The boltBOX is a simple product that does exactly what it promises. And what does it promise? “Charge and sync your devices. This retractable cable with Lightning connector works with all your Apple devices.” A simple purpose that, thanks to a simple design, is simply achieved. Simple huh?
Scosche also goes so far as to claim “This is the perfect solution for on-the-go lifestyles”. I don’t know if it is the “perfect” solution, but it is pretty darn good. This is especially true since, when not in use, both the Lightning connector and the USB connector get held in place thanks to the strategic use of magnets.
The area around the Lightning connector is slim enough to use with most cases. That’s important as more and more people are using rugged cases that have fairly narrow openings for the Lightning connector.
I really like the ultra compact design of the boltBOX. It looks like a simple plastic box and just sits there waiting to be needed. That means there no tangling of cables and nothing to get caught or snagged if you keep this in your purse. If you use a current generation iOS device, then you need to have a USB to Lightning cable to keep it charged. This is a great option and something I am personally happy to give a place in my gear bag.
Take a look at all the various colors and then… order one. Seriously, you won’t regret it. Check it out.
MSRP: $24.99
What I Like: Small and compact; Magnets hold the USB and Lighting connectors in place; Under $25
What Needs Improvement: Nothing! This is a great accessory
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
I am sorry, but 24,99$ for a sync cable? A small cable without a box takes less space in a bag, and cost a lot less. If I owned an IOS device, I don’t see why I would buy this.
Apple’s cables are $19 and $29 dollars. A ripoff? Maybe but that’s the price. Sure there are cables for a few pennies but I’ve tried them and most don’t work.
Everybody knows Apple accessories are so overpriced it’s not even funny. People buy them 1- because they don’t know any better 2- because Apple made it so you can’t buy from anyone else. 3- Because they like the brand so much they don’t care about the price.
I took 5 minutes to search “lightning sync cable” on eBay : 938 results. I’ll admit some of them must be duds, but not all of them. There are 10 pages of cables below $20. After, I went to Monoprice, same search : 10 results. I would be confident to buy any of those cables, all are priced between $10 and $13. Finally, I tried Deal Extreme : about 400 results. All of them below $10.
So, yes I think a cable for $25 is a ripoff (and the argument that it’s great because, at $24,99 it costs less than $25 is a liiiitle farfetched).
I am a regular reader of Gear Diary, and this review looks a bit like a sham to me. I don’t usually write either, but I was very surprised to read a review like that this afternoon.
Nicolas- First off, I and we appreciate your readership! I also appreciate your taking the time to do some research instead of just firing off.
To be clear, I didn’t say it was a good value because it was under $25. In fact I wrote “A rip-off? Maybe but that’s the price.”
That’s the price and I get you don’t see the value. I, on the other hand, hate tangled cables in my bag. It is a pet peeve of mine. So something that keeps everything neat, tidy and within reach is something I personally appreciate.
What I don’t really get is how YOUR not seeing the value makes it a sham. (But I would like to put that along with the title I gave the post and chalk both up to being overstatements for the sake of impact.) 🙂
Well, you did say “What I Like: Small and compact; Magnets hold the USB and Lighting connectors in place; Under $25”.
I’ll admit the word sham was a bit strong, and that it was in reaction to the title. Are you a mind reader? 😉
We’ll agree to disagree on the value of this product then. Fair enough. 🙂