Pitaka Power Dongle For Apple Watch REVIEW

Portable, Practical and Powerful charging option for Apple Watch

If you are an Apple Watch fan, you understand the need for daily charging. When home, you can use any number of stands/bases, or utilize the base cable. However, what about those times that you are not at home? Whether you are prepping for a weekend campout, a weeklong getaway, a day trip/hike, or perhaps a much longer trip like a through-hike, you must pair your tech charging needs to the gear you take with you.

When I camp with my 13-year-old son’s BSA Troop, or the younger Cub Scouts, I often have my Apple Watch Series 6 and iPhone 13 Pro Max plus a single 10,000 mAh battery, USB-A to Lightning cable, and a standard USB-A to Apple Watch Cable. I tire of lengthy cables and unruly cable management. Excitedly, Pitaka has a better way.

The Pitaka Power Dongle for Apple Watch arrived in a 3 inches wide by 3 15/16 inches tall by 7/8 inches thick retail hanging package.  The cover panel listed the Pitaka name along the top left. the product name just beneath the company title, and the Made for Apple Watch Logo along the bottom right corner. 

Despite the visual appeal of the black-on-white theme, the main showcase of the cover panel was the image of the obliquely angled Apple Watch Charger and the two listed product descriptors: 1. Magnetic Functionality. 2. For all Apple Watch Models.  Combined with the black font, the image of the semi-translucent black charger contrasted beautifully against the sterile white background.   

The side panels provided a QR Code to link to more Pitaka products, icons for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, the www.ipitaka.com website, and a quaint jingle “ALTERNATIVE TECH LIFE.”   The rear panel listed the company name atop the panel and three product features below it: 1. Flexible Charging. 2. Magnetically Attaching. 3. Lightweight and Portable. The panel proved to be a bit busier than the other panels.  Each of the features mentioned above was given a defining sentence. 

Despite the plethora of words on the back cover, I did appreciate the added information.  As an example, the panel described the added magnetic posts on each end to prevent loss of the USB-C cover/cap.  The majority of the panel contained legalese and trademark information.  Lastly, you will find product manufacturing labels along the bottom segment.

I cut the tape along the back of the packaging and slid the inner tray outward.  I removed the 0.9-ounce, 1 9/16 inches wide by 2 1/8 inches long (with cap), by 3/8 inches thick charger, and the instruction manual/product guide.  I was impressed with the semi-translucent smokey-black shell and the clean white 1 1/4 inches diameter Apple Watch charger. 

Before using the charger, remove the 3/8 inches long cap from atop the USB-C prong.  You will notice the easy-to-remove cap affixed to the body segment with two small 3/16 inches diameter magnets.  If you look closely at the body, the company installed the same magnets on the other end of the body.  Thus, instead of simply setting the cap aside to likely lose it, you can flip it around and attach it to the other end with the included magnets.  I cannot express how impressed I was with Pitaka for including the second set of magnets.  That feature may be one of the most customer-oriented and convenient features that I have seen in quite a while.

Once you remove the cap from the charger, you can plug the USB-C prong into any open USB-C ports.  I plugged a Klein tools USB-A/USB-C multimeter into a MOMAX 10000 mAh battery and the Pitaka Apple Watch charger into the multimeter.  The multimeter displayed 5.13V/0.19-0.41A.  When plugged directly into my MacBook Pro 15”, the Apple Watch started to charge immediately when placed upon the charger. 

However, when the Klein Tools device was plugged into the MacBook Pro 15”, it displayed 5V but the watch did not request current.  I removed the Klein tools device, plugged the Pitaka charger directly into an open port on my MacBook Pro, and charged my Apple Watch while typing the review. I loved the size and shape of the charger and the secure magnetic attachment of the cover.  Additionally, the design proved to be rather visually appealing.

The portable device will easily fit into a pocket, a backpack/bag, or an everyday carry pouch.  I found that the charger rounded out my mobile charging needs when added to my BUBM organizer kit.  Paired with two 10,000 mAh batteries, or one with solar charging capabilities, the Pitaka device becomes the perfect way to keep your Apple Watch at the ready. 

The included instruction manual provided a convenient how-to-use display and two useful QR code links to videos of the product. The only thing missing from the setup was a small nylon case for the Pitaka charger. I felt the sub $60 price was fair but may be a bit hefty for some when compared to the ~$30 cost of an Apple Watch Charging Cable. Nevertheless, I felt that the Pitaka charger was worth the investment for its portability and convenience.

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