It’s happened to me, and I’m fairly certain it’s happened to most of you, you’re out and about, and find your iPhone is running low on juice. You might be at work, or even in your car. You have a USB charging port handy on your computer or dashboard, but no Lightning cable to plug in. Enter the ECHO Connect EchoKey.
Overview
The ECHO Connect EchoKey is a pocket sized Lightning connector charging connector that can be put in your pocket, your purse, or even on your key ring, and be readily available when you find yourself in need of a quick charge, but don’t have a Lightning cable handy.
The EchoKey is a small, flexible Y-shaped connector with a USB connector on one end, and a Lighting connector on the other, along with a handy hole for putting the connector on your keyring.
The design of the EchoKey makes it clear this is a remedy for those times when you’re near a USB-equipped laptop or other charge capable USB port and need a quick charge. This is not a connector you’ll want to use for everyday charging or syncing of data.
While the EchoKey is flexible, the short length of the device makes it mostly ideal for charging your iPhone from a laptop. While the EchoKey could be used to charge from a wall charger, the iPhone would be hanging precariously in mid-air, where it possibly might disconnect and fall to the surface below.
I found the EchoKey quite handy, and easy to use. The compact size made it perfect for keeping on my key ring, where it will likely continue to reside. It’s quite easy to slip the EchoKey off of the Key ring and plug it into my MacBook’s USB port in order to charge my iPhone. As you can see in the photo below, it also worked fine with my current case, the Speck Candyshell case.
One note, when using the EchoKey, you’ll want to make sure not to move the laptop or your iPhone too much, as the slim-line connector to the USB port is a little temperamental. Moving the connection too much can cause the iPhone not to charge.
I also found the EchoKey worked great with portable charging batteries, especially the slimline models that can lie on their side while charging a device.
The EchoKey I tested had a Lightning connector, however the company also offers a model with a Micro-USB connector for Android and other devices. The EchoKey is available in black, blue, or red.
Verdict
The ECHO Connect EchoKey is a perfect solution for iPhone users who find themselves needing to give their device a quick charge, but also find themselves without a Lightning cable handy. The compact design makes an unobtrusive addition to your keyring, or a side pocket in a briefcase, backpack, or purse.
While the EchoKey isn’t made for regular, long-term use, users will find it more than sufficient for use for a quick charge from a handy laptop or portable charger.
Rating: [rating:3.5]
Price: £15.00 (Around $23.00 USD) Available at the ECHO website.
Pros:
- A compact, easy to use solution for use when you need a quick charge for your iPhone, and don’t have a Lightning cable handy.
- Always handy, hangs from your key chain or it can be slipped in a side pocket of a purse or backpack.
Cons:
- Don’t move your laptop or iPhone too much, as the charging connectors can be a bit temperamental.
- The EchoKey, at $23 could be priced out of the range of some users. You are definitely paying for the convenience of the EchoKey.
