USB sockets
- Thread starter italianjob
- Start date
That'll be the 2 leads that are in my bedside drawer then!
I can't believe a modern car like this doesn't have a native USB port somewhere. Even crappier cheaper cars have them e.g. my wife's 2010 i30
I can't believe a modern car like this doesn't have a native USB port somewhere. Even crappier cheaper cars have them e.g. my wife's 2010 i30
I don't understand why it matters? Is it really a burden to plug in an adapter that came for free with the car?
Well I think it does matter if I simply want to charge my phone without having to have yet another cable, a lot of other manufacturers manage it.
Not that confusing really.
Still, it's the only 'fault' with my otherwise excellent car.
Not that confusing really.
Still, it's the only 'fault' with my otherwise excellent car.
I don't think there is enough power at the USB socket to charge your phone.
It is designed to input rather than output. Mine will just about maintain my TomTom but it won't charge my iPhone.
I find it easier to use a cheap 12v phone charger/plug with a very short USB cable (like about 15cm long) connected to the armrest socket with the phone sitting in the storage area in front of the armrest.
Since we do not get the free Tech offer in Spain, I have the basic system, but it does have a USB socket in the glove box - it could be different with the full Tech pack that seems to be the norm in the UK.
It is designed to input rather than output. Mine will just about maintain my TomTom but it won't charge my iPhone.
I find it easier to use a cheap 12v phone charger/plug with a very short USB cable (like about 15cm long) connected to the armrest socket with the phone sitting in the storage area in front of the armrest.
Since we do not get the free Tech offer in Spain, I have the basic system, but it does have a USB socket in the glove box - it could be different with the full Tech pack that seems to be the norm in the UK.
That's quite interesting re: lack of power. I would have thought a TomTom would use more power than a phone.
I find that the USB cable from the glovebox provides an ideal solution to the charging problem whilst driving. I have the phone mounted near the LH air vent and a short USB cable running to the Samsung Galaxy S3 from the USB converter cable.
It holds it's charge when the screen and mapping is on and, when the screen is off, it charges nicely.
Hope this helps
It holds it's charge when the screen and mapping is on and, when the screen is off, it charges nicely.
Hope this helps
agree about the USB being a media input not a charger. I use the central lighter socket with an adaptor too.
Have read before that the USB simply doesn't output enough.
My daughter uses her phone with WAZE and even the lighter socket struggles to keep up with the constant drain with the screen, the data downloading and the speaker!
Have read before that the USB simply doesn't output enough.
My daughter uses her phone with WAZE and even the lighter socket struggles to keep up with the constant drain with the screen, the data downloading and the speaker!
I plug my iphone into the Iphone lead, via a lightning to 30 pin adaptor. It charges it just fine.
I honestly don't see any issue - the setup they have allows them to connect any USB or iOS device to a common interface - something that a regular USB connector wouldn't allow them I don't believe.
I honestly don't see any issue - the setup they have allows them to connect any USB or iOS device to a common interface - something that a regular USB connector wouldn't allow them I don't believe.
Last edited:
I think any modern smartphone running a navigation app will struggle to actually charge over USB.
I always make sure if I plan on using my phone in the car, it starts with a full charge as (even with a dedicated 12v USB adapter) it can actually slowly discharge.
When the screen is off, it'll charge OK through the glovebox albeit at a slower rate. I'd be interested to know if anyone has tested the glovebox port, but the standard output for USB is 500mAh with most wall chargers being 1000mAh or even a little higher...
I always make sure if I plan on using my phone in the car, it starts with a full charge as (even with a dedicated 12v USB adapter) it can actually slowly discharge.
When the screen is off, it'll charge OK through the glovebox albeit at a slower rate. I'd be interested to know if anyone has tested the glovebox port, but the standard output for USB is 500mAh with most wall chargers being 1000mAh or even a little higher...
Last edited:
Similar threads
